As the regular season has come to an end this week, non-playoff teams are already making moves with in their organizations. Look no further than the Pittsburgh Penguins who will not make the post season for the first time in seventeen years. As a result, General Manager Ron Hextall has been fired. He lasted just two season in the role.
This job opportunity typically does not have a long shelf life, but Hextall sure didn't last long and his tenure appears to be an embarrassing one for him and the franchise. For example, Hextall has been criticized by fans and even his fellow peers for acquiring Mikael Granlund for a second round pick. Hardly a move that did any good for Pittsburgh at the time. This trade was not the only reason Hextall was fired. Perhaps it was the moves Hextall didn't make that sent him looking for a new job.
Even though the core of the Penguins has aged, you would have thought Hextall might have helped the team with a few well executed moves and at least make the playoffs. Instead Hextall has been fired and might go down as one of the worst general managers in Pittsburgh history.
The Penguins have some retooling to do this offseason and it starts with a new front office group that has a game plan. It sure didn't seem like Ron Hextall ever had that during his time with he Penguins. His tenure was so bad and uneventful you'd have to wonder if his days as a General Manager are over.
