Whenever he looks down at his coveted ring, it reminds him of the impressive accomplishments his Penguins have achieved in the past couple of seasons. More importantly, it serves as incentive of the goal that lies ahead.
But continuing the Penguins' Cup run won't be easy. And Rutherford knows it.
No NHL team has won the Stanley Cup three consecutive times since the New York Islanders won four in a row from 1980-83. And after a slow start to this season that had the Penguins in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with 43 points after 41 games, making the Stanley Cup Playoffs was in doubt, let alone hosting yet another title parade.
But a 5-2-0 start to 2018 has brought renewed optimism to a rabid fan base, one fueled by the knowledge Rutherford is one of the shrewdest wheelers and dealers in the game.
Since taking over the Penguins in 2014, Rutherford's trades have brought Pittsburgh forwards Phil Kessel and Patric Hornqvist and defenseman Justin Schultz. Fans are confident their GM can do it again.
Asked how he expects the weeks leading up to the trade deadline to play out, Rutherford said he feels there is plenty of uncertainty ahead.
"Well, that's a tough read because this year, more than any I've seen, there are more people in the race," Rutherford said. "So there are going to be more buyers than sellers. And it makes it harder to read the market.
"The prices are high at the deadline. And the prices are high on July 1 [start of free agency]. So that's the understanding that you always have. It's hard to tell where the prices are going to go.
"You're supposed to try to make deals that work for both sides. At last that's the approach that I've had. I'm sure those types of deals are going to be out there."
In the past two seasons, the Penguins have played 213 games (164 regular season, 49 playoffs), far more than any other team. As such, the physical grind is a significant obstacle Pittsburgh must overcome in its quest for another Cup.
At the same time, Rutherford is encouraged by what he has seen lately. In his mind, momentum has started to shift the Penguins' way.
"It even goes back before the new year when I started to see positive signs that we're starting to get to the level that we can achieve," Rutherford said.
As the Penguins prepare for the stretch run with hopes of defending their title, Rutherford took time to discuss a variety of topics with NHL.com.