Ron Hextall spoke to the media. I agree with mostly all of what was said and the one thing I don’t agree with on the surface I’m not really sure how else he should have said it.

Ron Hextall on contract extensions for Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang: "Those are discussions that are certainly ongoing right now within our staff. ... We see a future with this core. These guys have been here a long time. I expect to have these guys back next year, for sure."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

Thank you Ron Hextall. It is about time these players get the respect they deserve by having their boss give a clear and concise answer in public about their futures. It was so insanely disrespectful how Jim Rutherford handled this exact situation each summer. Rutherford would let rumors swell and get out of control about a legend of franchise as if his entire reputation isn’t propped up because of players like him. Hextall has come out by definitively making a statement and by doing so shows a basic level respect to two Penguins all-time greats. Even if he does plan on trading them, and I don’t believe he does, it prevents the players from being drowned with questions and rising anxiety from the coverage about their situations. Thank you, Ron.

Ron Hextall: "We have some pretty special players. They're obviously not in their 20s anymore, but are still playing at a high level, so we'll be in a win-now mode (next year)." Said they'll balance giving away futures with finding ways to make the team better in the present.

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

There is no sense in “blowing things up”. The Penguins have been pot committed for a while and quite frankly how the last guy left the franchise they only have one option, but to be pot committed. I feel as though this is obvious, but nice to hear in an official capacity by the new regime.

Ron Hextall said he and Mike Sullivan are aligned on the identity of this team. "We’re excited about our group. Bringing Jeff Carter in and having a deep team, that is important. We got a hardworking team. We got a skilled team. We got a fast team."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

Jeff Carter has completely changed the dynamic of what the Penguins need and what they have to chase this summer. For years Rutherford spent a ton of draft capital and trade assets to chase a third line center. In literally the only move Hextall has made he got a really effective third line center for peanuts, not only in assets given up, but in cap hit as well. Keep focusing on the skill and quickness. This team isn’t built to go hybrid or full big bodied grit.

Speaking of which

Ron Hextall: "We’d like to add a little bit of size, a little bit of toughness, yes. It would be nice, but there’s not a lot out there. We’ll look at what’s out there and we’ll make adjustments, but if we go into the next season with this group, we’re comfortable."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

Playable size and toughness is super expensive to acquire. Playable is the key word. Size and toughness is everywhere. You can find a useless plug who fits the description. You might even find some fourth liners who don’t kill the team, but don’t help it either. The Penguins need to get better and if they could find a very good player who is also big and tough it would be objectively good for them. It’s the one thing in the league every GM wants so you’ll have to overpay. Last time I checked the Penguins don’t have spare assets to overpay for a dynamic that isn’t cost effective. Keep trying to acquire players who are cost effective and on-ice effective regardless of their height and weight stats.

Just look at the Maple Leafs. They deviated off course and went all in on the veteran leadership grit stuff and what they got was depth that couldn't help out when the star players went cold. Yes, Auston Matthews and more so Mitch Marner deserve criticism, but let's not lose the plot here. All good or great players go cold. Star players who are going to be 36 and 35 are definitely going to go cold at some point, sometimes in the playoffs. Scoring depth is a must and all the other stuff (leadership/grit) is just hindsight rubbish people can attach a narrative to after they see how things played out. Kyle Dubas went out and did all the things the mouth breathers in the Toronto media were clamoring for and it did nothing to advance the team forward.

Seeing the following comments makes me more comfortable that Hextall will not just chase a player type for the sake of doing so

Ron Hextall: "And quite honestly, I think we showed that in the first round, that we’ve got a lot of players that are willing to play through the hard stuff – the hooks and the holds and the interference and the hits, guys leaning on you."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

Ron Hextall: "I think the biggest thing in the playoffs is you’ve got to have a team that is willing to play through. There’s gonna be teams that want to play physical and run you because they feel like that’s the only way they can beat you."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

They did severely outplay the Islanders who were trying to do just that. Don’t let Jarry’s horrible performance hide the fact the Penguins did fight through the nonsense and play well. They did a nice job in round one.

Ron Hextall: "We were very pleased with our coaching staff. ... It was a tough year. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the challenges with COVID. Our entire staff, not just the players and the coaches, did a terrific job."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

It was a weird year to be an NHL player (and a human being). I do think Mike Sullivan did a nice job navigating everything. I do think he is a good coach. I’m fine with him being back. I hope he is more open to in-game adjustments than he has in the past and I hope his game management improves.


Lastly, the part I disagree with.

Ron Hextall on Jarry: "Tristan did a good job for us this year. We wouldn't have been where we were without Tristan. We all have to remember Tristan is a young player. He's going to learn from this and come back better in September."

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) June 2, 2021

First, I know this is the only thing Ron Hextall can and should say about this question so I’m not holding the answer against him. Also, Jarry is not a young player. He will be 27 next year. This isn’t a Carter Hart situation where he will be 23. I think the only thing we know about Tristan Jarry is he is wildly inconsistent. This reminds me too much of Fleury from earlier last decade and the Penguins can’t roll the dice with him as their main goaltender. This year was unfortunate because of the ill-timed Casey DeSmith injury. I do think DeSmith could have given the team basic level NHL goaltending and the Penguins would be playing the Bruins right now. Instead Jarry totally sunk a team who was playing quite well. I have some goaltender ideas coming up and some of them even include rolling the dice, but for way cheaper and younger. Some of the other options will be veterans both mid-tier and beyond. We have a long offseason to discuss.

Overall, I think Ron Hextall has a good handle on the reality of the situation and the path forward. I’m curious to see if his words will be backed up by his actions.

Thanks for reading!

Join the Discussion: » 221 Comments » Post New Comment

» Penguins news and notes

» Getting your Penguins fix

» My thoughts on Penguins thoughts

» It's their fault

» Still alive, for now