Penguins GM publicly questions coach's decision to not play Sprong
It's rare for a general manager to openly question his head coach's decision-making, but with the way things have been going for the Pittsburgh Penguins so far this season, it's safe to expect the unexpected.
Daniel Sprong has been a healthy scratch for the last eight games, and GM Jim Rutherford elected to voice his frustration over head coach Mike Johnston's handling of their young player following a 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
"I have been urging the coach to get him in there," Rutherford said to Josh Yohe of DK Pittsburgh Sports. "We need him in there so we can get a better look at him."
The Penguins burned a year of Sprong's entry-level contract after choosing to keep him past the 10-game mark earlier this season. The 18-year-old rookie played a season-low seven shifts over 5:11 minutes Nov. 17 against the Minnesota Wild, and has not played since.
Rutherford added that he wants to get a better look at the rookie forward before the 40-game mark of the season, when it would count toward a year of unrestricted free agency.
"Yes. I do want to see that. That's why we kept him, to play him," Rutherford said.
Sprong, who was drafted 46th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, has two goals in 14 games this season. He recorded 88 points in 68 games with the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL last year.
During a season filled with drama both on and off the ice, a disconnect between GM and coach is the last thing the Penguins needed.