Just over 2 years ago, Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford made a mistake everyone that had been paying attention to the NHL at any point over the last 10 years knew was a mistake and signed Jack Johnson to a 5 year deal worth $3.25M against the cap per year.
He spent the two seasons defending the signing, defending the player, and making sure that it was, in fact, the children who were wrong.
Just a reminder that Jim Rutherford blamed the media for Penguins’ fans negative reaction to the team acquiring Jack Johnson.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 5, 2020
Turns out, it didn’t matter if it was midway through the season, or that his “plus/minus improved as the season wore on,” or that, when looking at his season as a whole, he was objectively and demonstrably bad to the point that the Penguins were an elite team without him and a below average team with him, the end result was still the same: Jack Johnson was a detriment to the Penguins.
https://twitter.com/G_Off817/status/1177347213766340609
AND THIS WAS ALL JUST IN THE FIRST YEAR.
Then this season happened, the Penguins crashed out of the playoffs early, and GMJR doubled down on his loyalty all over the space of a couple of weeks.
https://twitter.com/G_Off817/status/1289723864432275459
To remedy that, GMJR pulled the trigger, putting him on waivers for the purpose of a buyout after being unable to trade him.
Before buying out Jack Johnson contract, @penguins tried to trade him, but at $3.35M per season, with 3 years left, it was just impossible.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) October 5, 2020
The #LetsGoPens buyout the final 3 years of Jack Johnson's $3.25M Contract ($8.25M cash remaining).
Yr 1 & 2: $1.167M Cap Hit, $2.08M Cap Savings
Yr 3: $1.92M cap Hit, $1.33M Cap Savings
Yr 4-6: $917K Cap Hit & Cap Costhttps://t.co/RDbLF6AXVd pic.twitter.com/6EptTcLFDQ— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) October 5, 2020
Few things matter more than the Penguins getting better and with this move, they did just that. Eating some of his salary was always going to be the case whether via trade or buyout, but with $2.08M in savings, they can get some other guys (not named Dom Simon) signed.
Though, it should be noted that GMJR didn’t have to remedy his mistake if he hadn’t made it in the first place. That shouldn’t get lost here, either.
But the big thing is this:
The Penguins are better today than they were yesterday.
Addition by subtraction.
With that, cue up some Sarah McLachlin and let’s look at some of Johnson’s defining moments with the Penguins:
From the hit chasing…
https://gfycat.com/alarmingfantasticfalcon
https://gfycat.com/saneantiqueharvestmen
https://gfycat.com/equalidlelice
https://gfycat.com/hastyseparatebighorn
https://gfycat.com/magnificentgroundedferret
https://twitter.com/G_Off817/status/1117494282611458048
…to puck handling…
https://gfycat.com/angryhalfairedale
https://gfycat.com/earlylonelycaracal
https://gfycat.com/generaltautazurevase
https://gfycat.com/damagedliveafricanparadiseflycatcher-johnson-whiff-ice-hockey
https://gfycat.com/firstrecklessgrizzlybear
https://gfycat.com/aggressivethisharrier
https://gfycat.com/forthrightclosehammerheadshark
https://gfycat.com/shadyvagueblesbok
…and actually going down.
https://gfycat.com/plainamusinggnu
https://twitter.com/G_Off817/status/1113261161045221376
And let’s not forget…
The Preseason Own Goal
Bowey uses Bertuzzi as a backboard, and Mantha forces a Pittsburgh defender to put it in his own net. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/YDHarxgH6n
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) September 22, 2019
Cap relief, zone exits, and whistleblower complaints. Lets ride.
https://twitter.com/dameofscones/status/1313151342467256321
And sincerely, fair well, Jack, and good luck in the future.
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