SI.com's Allan Muir notes Penguins Exec VP & GM Jim Rutherford is just two years into his tenure and is "being celebrated as the architect of the newly crowned Stanley Cup champions." He also is the first man in "half a century to lead two organizations to a title." It is a "remarkable achievement for the 67-year old, one that's impossible to believe he pulled off." When Rutherford arrived in Pittsburgh he "wasn't exactly greeted with fanfare." The veteran exec was "widely viewed as an uninspired choice when he was brought on to replace" current Devils GM Ray Shero in '14. Rutherford was coming off a 20-year stretch with the Hurricanes, where he "left the organization in shambles." It "should have been over for Rutherford then and there," but membership in the "Old Boys Club has its privileges" (SI.com 6/14).
SHOW ME THE MONEY: The Eagles yesterday signed DT Fletcher Cox to a six-year extension worth $63M guaranteed, and in Newark, Mark Eckel notes the team this offseason has spent $280M on contracts, which is "twice as much as any other team in the league" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/14). ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert wrote Cox' deal "will have ripple effects for months, if not years, on the league's financial landscape." The guarantee is "more than any non-quarterback deal in NFL history" (ESPN.com, 6/13). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Darin Gantt writes the Eagles "have proven they're serious about spending money" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 6/14).
VALUE MEAL: ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted the Falcons are "making sure people in town are aware of the low concession prices at their new Mercedes-Benz Stadium," which opens in '17. The Falcons have sent "direct mail pieces to prospective buyers of season tickets boasting of the value eats that includes a $2 bill, which is the cost of many items" (ESPN.com, 6/13).
