CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Jack Johnson spoke of wanting to play in a winning culture. Jim Rutherford intimated that there was a reason other than performance why the Penguins' free-agent signing was benched late last season by his former team.
Neither sat well with that team, the Blue Jackets.
From Johnson: “I’ve really been wanting to be a part of a winning culture, in a place where the expectations to win are as high as can be, and there’s a chance to win.”
From Rutherford: “I don’t think he had a bad year. He was a healthy scratch at the end of the season. I know the reason why. It wasn’t because of how he was playing.”
"Jack didn't play for us at the end, and obviously Jack's a good player and that was a luxury for us," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told reporters in Ohio. "But he wasn't in our top six at the end of the year, and Jim Rutherford's suggestion that he knows the reason, and it wasn't his play ... I'd like to see what he thinks the reason was."
Johnson was scratched for all six games of the Blue Jackets' first-round Stanley Cup playoff loss to the Capitals.
"I can answer him by saying that I have no idea what he's talking about," Kekalainen said of Rutherford. "I have no idea what he's talking about. If he thinks it was something else, he knows something that me and Tortorella don't. Totally coach's decision, and nothing else. What do you think? We didn't want to win in the playoffs? We put the best defensive lineup possible out every night, and in the playoffs in particular. During the season there might be some developmental stuff and there may be a showing to somebody in trade talks. Never in the playoffs. And he was already a UFA, so what do we care? We were trying to put the best possible lineup on the ice. I have no idea what anybody else would be speculating about."
Tortorella popped off later in the day to longtime Columbus beat writer Aaron Portzline, about both Johnson and Rutherford.
“We wish him the best," Tortorella said of Johnson. "But for him to put it the way he put it today is [expletive]. And to have a general manager question our decision-making from three hours away, he must be a [expletive] magician.”
Tortorella cited what he described as the Blue Jackets' help through Johnson's massive financial issues involving his parents.
“That’s what pisses me off,” Tortorella said. “He doesn’t have enough [expletive] to call me back, because I’ve tried to get in touch with him. You don’t [expletive] on an organization that’s done nothing but try to help you. We all know Jack has had some problems along the way here. It’s very well-chronicled. All we’ve done is try to [expletive] help him. I love the [expletive] guy. I’ve had him on the Olympic team. I get him on the World Cup team. I love the guy. But for him to do this is ridiculous. He has got to start pointing the finger at himself, not other people. If I’m a [former] teammate of his and I play against him next year … my gosh.”
Johnson responded to Portzline, insisting he meant no harm.
“When I first came to Columbus, I was looking forward to helping create a winning culture, help build it,” Johnson said. “I’ve had a wonderful time in Columbus. I met my wife there, started a family there, nothing but great friends and relationships there. I believe they have a winning culture there. All I meant was, I’m excited to be part of Pittsburgh’s winning culture. It came down to me making a hockey decision. I have no animosity and nothing bad to say, and I didn’t mean any parting shots whatsoever.”
Tortorella saved his worst for Rutherford.
“The thing that pisses me off the most is a general manager in this league questioning and talking about our decision-making,” Tortorella said. “Shut the [expletive] up! Jack and I had an open, honest conversation all through this. Jack and I have known one another forever, and I love the guy. There’s no agenda here. You think [scratching Johnson was] an easy decision for me, after what Jack Johnson has been in this league and what he is?"
He added, “But that can’t get in my way as far as making the right decisions for this hockey club, and that’s all we do, so Rutherford should shut the [expletive] up. I don’t want to go to name-calling, ‘cause I know Jimmy. He’s a good man. They’re both good people. But what the [expletive] are they doing? Get on with your business! I hope [Johnson] plays his ass off for ’em, but stay the [expletive] out of our business when you don’t know what’s going on.”
Rutherford has no intention of responding to Tortorella's comments, according to a source.
The Penguins and Blue Jackets meet Nov. 24 at PPG Paints Arena.
