Anticipating Jim Rutherford's Reaction to the Fan Reaction to Jack Johnson

Please allow me to set the scene. It's October 3, 2019. Pittsburgh, Penn. PPG Paints Arena, home of the Penguins.

7:12pm, or whatever time it will be when they finally start the season introductions, happiness, excitement, anticipation, all of that swirling around PPG Paints, all about to come crashing down by the second name announced.

"Number 2, defenseman... Chad Ruhwedel!" Mild applause.

"Number 3, defenseman... Jack Johnson!" And with that, not even a second of hockey played in the 2019-20 season, the wheels fall off.

One player causing that sonic level of booing, snakes will flood the downtown Pittsburgh area similar to how Barry White rescued all of the snakes in the "Whacking Day" episode of "The Simpsons."

Those boo birds will be noticed, and they will be addressed. The only question is, to what degree. General Manager Jim Rutherford will be the mouthpiece, which is why I've taken the liberty of guessing what his reactions will be.

Very Likely

Rutherford will go to bat for Johnson, and I'm talking balls to the wall go to bat. Something along the lines of:

"I don't think it's fair to Jack the kind of reception he received last night, and that he received Day 1 as a matter of fact when we announced his signing. Jack has played fine hockey and the coaches like that he can kill penalties. I think the fans should think long and hard about their actions from last night because I thought it was a poor showing"

The point will continue to be made that- and rightfully so- Johnson has not been given a chance since Day 1, all while attacking the fans and not realizing that "fine" hockey doesn't mean "good hockey" and that there are plenty of other players that can kill penalties. Anyone actually.

Likely

Similar to the Very Likely scenario but with not as much mustard. Shorter and sweeter, like:

"I didn't appreciate how the fans treated Jack tonight, and that's all I want to say about it. I'm disappointed."

And then he goes back to check if his Bridge game is still scheduled for that evening.

Neither Likely or Unlikely

Rutherford avoids the question entirely and instead focuses on what the Sabres did while making some weird Paul Fenton- Mats Zuccarello kind of comment, while also making some quizzical hindsight comment about Jason Botterill. Use your imagination.*

Unlikely

No immediate comment is made, but rather a trade is made in the early morning hours of October 4 in which Johnson is finally traded, but in an attempt to try and save face, Rutherford spins it:

"After last night's game, it was apparent that this team is close, but the defense still needs some addressing, and fortunately I was able to find a deal that I liked and more importantly helps the Penguins. That's why we shipped out Jack Johnson this morning."

Very Unlikely

"I FUCKED UP! OKAY?! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR?! I FUCKED UP! IT WAS A BAD CONTRACT FOR A WORSE PLAYER, AND ALL PEOPLE WANT TO SEND US NOW IS A SEVENTH! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ANYTHING BACK FOR THIS GUY! I begged, BEGGED! Bergevin for their new poutine recipe up there at the Bell Centre, AND THEY STILL SAID NO!"

This would be the part where Rutherford goes silent for nearly 30 seconds in a moment of self reflection before continuing.

"The numbers were all there, and I still signed him. The coaching staff didn't even watch three games of Jack. It was two periods worth. It's my fault and I'm sorry."

As entertaining as Very Unlikely would be, I'm leaning more toward the Likely response from Rutherford after tomorrow's season opener. But we all have to believe in something, and that includes that a trade involving the player who has shown to be an anchor in every facet of the game comes to fruition.

*Feel free to comment with your imaginative Rutherford takes that are neither likely or unlikely.