Jim Rutherford had a boss kind of week.
And not just because of the Phil Kessel trade, though it's become almost universal consensus continent-wide that he pulled off an absolute heist in adding one of the NHL's top five wingers, doing so at an affordable rate, not giving up any of his top young defensemen, and not sending out anyone of value save, perhaps, Kasperi Kapanen.
All of that was awesome, sure, but Rutherford actually was boss in another, bigger way.
First, some context: When Rutherford, his four lieutenants and the coaches present engaged in that now-infamous hour-long discussion at the draft table last weekend in Sunrise, Fla., they raised way more antennas than they should have. Fact is, such events occur all the time, and much more spirited and emotional than that one. Those happened under Ray Shero. They happen under Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin over on the South Side. They happen under Neal Huntington on the North Shore.
My goodness, I've heard tales, specifically related to the Pirates, about disagreements at meetings like that one that would blow your mind. People screaming, pointing fingers, storming out of the room.
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