The predominant theme for the Penguins this offseason was continuity. Sticking with the core despite Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang now closer to 40 than 30. Returning capable wings such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Bringing back Casey DeSmith instead of shopping for a snazzier complement to Tristan Jarry.
Jan Rutta represents the exception.
A potentially important one, too.
After raising the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons with the Lightning, plus reaching the Cup final in 2021-22, Rutta said he pretty much knew a couple of months ago that he would be a cap casualty. Signing with the Penguins for $8.25 million over three years was no-brainer given the perception he had of Pittsburgh and how he saw himself fitting into the lineup.
"The team here is, in my eyes, a contender every year," Rutta said. "It's always fun to play hockey into the summer, so definitely plenty of reasons [to sign with the Penguins]."
While Rutta certainly sees plenty of parallels between the Penguins and Lightning, arguably the NHL's two top teams over the past 10 years, Pittsburgh should crave the skills the 32-year-old native of Pisek, Czechia brought to his former team every night.
A 6-foot-3, 205-pound right shot, Rutta was never drafted — and plays like it, in a good way. He's a willing shot blocker and smart with his stick. Reading a defense partner, like Rutta routinely did with Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman in Tampa, remains an important strength. Rutta also isn't afraid to throw around his body some.
The sum total isn't terribly flashy, but it could offer a sizable upgrade when it comes to Pittsburgh's third pair and down the revamped right side, bolstering the spot behind Kris Letang and Jeff Petry on the current depth chart.
"He's a solid player," Crosby said of Rutta. "He's got a good stick. He's steady and can make a good first pass. He's not afraid to join the rush."
"You look at Jan Rutta, and he's hard to play against," coach Mike Sullivan added. "He's a real good defender. He's a very good penalty killer. He brings that dimension to our team."
All of that is well and good, but the biggest thing Rutta might bring the Penguins is consistency. Think about how Brian Dumoulin often steadies Kris Letang — not literally, obviously, but allowing Letang to freelance and use his offensive instincts by playing the responsible role.
If Marcus Pettersson and Petry become a pair — it certainly seems like the idea intrigues Sullivan and his staff — that could leave Rutta available for young Pierre-Olivier Joseph, a left shot with offensive upside and playmaking ability.
Having Rutta in the mix gives the Penguins a bit of a safety valve, an older player whose game might mesh well with that of Joseph and allow him to get creative, to not worry about making mistakes and take more chances.
After all, one of the things Rutta did so well in Tampa was complement Hedman, reading his body language and learning his tendencies — how he likes the puck, what he wants to do in certain situations and building his game off of that.
"I'm not looking to change a whole lot," Rutta said. "I try to play hard, play simple and help the team and the stars be even better."
Last year, that involved appearing in a career-high 76 games while compiling three goals and 18 points. Rutta averaged 16:23 of ice time, finished as a plus-25 and ranked first among regulars on the Lightning's back end in goals-for percentage during 5-on-5 play at 60.58. Rutta also blocked 71 shots and delivered 93 hits.
Switching over to the left side is something Rutta said he can do if absolutely necessary, but he's probably better suited playing on his natural side. The tricks Rutta has learned are part of an incredible hockey journey that started in the Czech Republic, continued with the Blackhawks from 2017-19 and most recently included the stop in Tampa from 2019-22.
None of his preceding seasons matched the success Rutta experienced in 2021-22, when he solidified himself as a lineup regular and consistent contributor. Surrounded by Hedman, Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and plenty of other stars, Rutta couldn't help but draw parallels to Pittsburgh, a team he said he followed plenty during the Lightning's success.
"When you look at the core here, the group that's been part of all those Cup runs, you don't sign those players very often," Rutta said. "It's really special to have players of that stature in your organization.
"I'm more than happy [to be in Pittsburgh]. Whether you're comparing Sid to Kuch or Geno to Stammer, they're pretty similar; they're all great players. It's fun to be around those guys in the locker room and on the ice."
Now, Rutta will get to join them and play an integral role on the other side of the fence, whether that's on special teams, alongside Joseph or in more of an unexpected way. Whatever happens, Rutta expects to play a simple and straightforward game, one that has long endeared him to teammates.
"He's been part of a winning culture," Letang said. "That's going to bring us a lot. He's a guy who's willing to go to war out there. He blocks shots. He's a physical defenseman, and he can play both sides of the puck really well."
