Former Penguins GM Jim Rutherford appearing on the Mark Madden Show, 105.9 The X, debunked a report that ownership blocked a Kris Letang trade as being the reason he abruptly quit out of the blue.

“Far-fetched,” Rutherford told Mark Madden. “Never tried to trade those guys. I’ve said few times I think Crosby, Malkin and Letang should play whole career here…… Wish there was cap space….say same thing about Marc Andre Fleury.”

Rutherford provided no new details on what led to the decision but did say “what happened had nothing to do with a player on the roster.”