PHN Extra: Jim Rutherford May Not Be Done

The Pittsburgh Penguins settled all family business, Wednesday. First, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford did his best Houdini impersonation and made $5.25 million of salary vanish when he sent Conor Sheary and Matt Hunwick to the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional fourth-round draft pick. Rutherford addressed the Penguins need for defense by tentatively agreeing to a five-year deal with free agent defenseman Jack Johnson. Then for good measure, the wily veteran Rutherford re-signed center Riley Sheahan.

But the Penguins still have holes.

The Penguins locked up their fourth center but lost the only left wing who can score points, aside from Jake Guentzel. However, the Penguins certainly feel they are better today than yesterday.

A source inside the Penguins organization told PHN at least a couple of coaches were ecstatic with the Johnson agreement.