When the 18 members who comprise the Hockey Hall of Fame’s selection committee reveal their choices for the Class of 2017 on Monday afternoon, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford won’t be refreshing his computer screen or swiping down on his iPhone.
Ditto for director of player development Mark Recchi.
“I have enough things on my mind,” Rutherford said. “I don’t say that disrespectfully. I just have other things on my mind.”
Busy as they are, Rutherford and Recchi would welcome the interruption. It would also serve as way-past-due recognition for both men.
Winning a third Stanley Cup puts Rutherford in rarefied air within the builders category, and Recchi’s 1,533 points rank 12th all-time.