The Philadelphia Penguins have made a major change to their front office, announcing on Monday that they have parted ways with General Manager Ron Hextall and Executive Pat Burke. The move comes after the Penguins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-2007 season.
Hextall had been the general manager of the Penguins since 2014, and Burke had been with the organization since 2015. During their tenure, the Penguins had made the playoffs five times, including a Stanley Cup championship in 2016.
The Penguins made the decision to part ways with Hextall and Burke following an extensive evaluation of the team’s performance this season. The team finished with a record of 44-26-12, good for 100 points and third place in the Metropolitan Division. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the regular season.
The Penguins have yet to name a new general manager, but they have already begun the search for a replacement. They are expected to look for someone with a strong background in hockey operations and analytics.
In a statement, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux said, “We thank Ron and Pat for their hard work and dedication to the Penguins organization over the past several years. We wish them both the best in their future endeavors.”
The Penguins are hoping that this change will help them get back to their winning ways and return to the playoffs next season. They have a talented roster and a strong core of players, so they are confident that they can make a quick turnaround.
Only time will tell if the Penguins’ decision to part ways with Hextall and Burke will pay off, but it is clear that they are committed to making the necessary changes to get back to the postseason.
