Penguins GM: Morning skates pointless, NHL doesn't need fighting

Jim Rutherford believes two fading hockey traditions aren't necessary.

The Pittsburgh Penguins general manager joined the list of hockey personnel to speak up against morning practice sessions on game days, while also arguing that fighting isn't a vital part of the game when asked about the subjects Monday night.

Rutherford didn't sugarcoat his answer when asked about the point of a morning skate.

"There isn't one," the GM said at the '50 Years of Hockey' event in Pittsburgh.

"(The Montreal Canadiens) started (the) morning skate in the early '70s. (Penguins co-owner) Mario (Lemieux), (head) coach (Mike Sullivan) and I all don't care for it."

The architect of the defending Stanley Cup champions also dismissed the notion that fighting is essential.

"When you look at the best events in hockey, you don’t have any fighting," Rutherford said, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I don’t think we need it."

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella did away with his team's morning skates earlier this season, and several other key NHL figures have argued against the game-day sessions in the last couple of years.

The frequency of fights has been dramatically reduced as the NHL has collectively shifted toward prioritizing speed and skill, which were precisely the qualities many believed separated the Penguins from the rest of the league during their championship run.