I’ve posted articles in the past similar to the one I’m about to write. But in the wake of another skillfully executed trade deadline where he once again boosted his team’s fortunes without paying an exorbitant price, I thought I’d take time out to sing Ron Hextall’s praises again.
It’s impossible to emphasize what a mess Hextall inherited from former GM Jim Rutherford when he was hired in February 2021. The team was jammed up against the wall, cap-wise. JR had tied up roughly 16 percent of our cap space long-term to three young defensemen of varying pedigree. No fewer than seven players who appeared in at least eight games for the team were slated to become UFAs or RFAs at season’s end, including Zach Aston-Reese, Teddy Blueger, Evan Rodrigues, Chad Ruhwedel and Radim Zohorna.
Yet Hextall was still able to add Jeff Carter at last season’s trade deadline for the relatively low price of a third- and fourth-round pick while convincing the Kings to hold back salary. Carter proved to be a revelation, tallying 13 goals in 20 regular-season and playoff games combined. Hextall also snagged feisty depth defenseman Mark Friedman off waivers from the Flyers.
That’s not to say there haven’t been speed bumps. Finances forced Hextall’s hand over the summer. Fearing Seattle would select Jared McCann if left unprotected in the expansion draft, Hextall dealt the former number one pick to Toronto for prospect Filip Hallander rather than lose him for nothing. McCann’s blossomed with the Kraken (23 goals). Energy-player extraordinaire Brandon Tanev was a serious loss as well.
Unable to compete for top free agents, GMRH signed several mid-level skaters at bargain rates, including Brock McGinn, Danton Heinen and Rodrigues. They’ve combined for 41 goals. Not too shabby.
The fact that a team most (including yours truly) thought would struggle to make the playoffs this season has overachieved only served to intensify the pressure on Hextall, while pretty much removing any thought of dealing pending free agents Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and/or Bryan Rust to glean cap space and assets from the equation.
It was obvious the Pens needed to bolster their middle-six scoring in order to have a legit shot at the Cup. It was just as obvious we didn’t have a ton of cap space, spare talent and assets needed to acquire such a player.
Yet Hextall came through. Rickard Rakell represents a significant addition, not to mention upgrade in firepower. Sure, you hate to part with a second-round pick, and goalie Calle Clang may one day blossom. But Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon, while hard-working and diligent, weren’t irreplaceable.
Rakell has a chance to be a difference-maker. His presence may help push us past that opening-round barrier we’ve encountered in each of the last three postseasons. At least that’s the hope.
Eventually the house of cards that is the Pens’ current cap situation will come tumblin’ down…probably as early as this summer. It’s looking ever doubtful that we’ll be able to re-sign Letang and Rust (or Rakell for that matter) unless they agree to significant hometown discounts, as Malkin appears willing to do. Kasperi Kapanen is slated to become an RFA and will likely depart as well.
That’s a huge chunk of talent potentially walking out the door. When it occurs, it’ll be a supreme test of Hextall’s managerial skills and generalship.
Thus far, in his quiet, measured way, he’s proven to be more than up to the task.
Best Wishes
As a blogger and passionate Pens fan, it’s easy to become a little jaded and even harsh when opining about a player’s worth. I confess to being hard on Simon at times. In the heat of the creative moment, we tend to forget these guys are human, too.
Last night as I watched the opening stages of the Blackhawks-Ducks game, I couldn’t help but feel badly for Aston-Reese and Simon. (A third ex-Pen, Sam Lafferty skated for the ‘Hawks.) They’ve been part of the organization for a number of years and obviously felt at home in the ‘Burgh and with their teammates. Bonds and lasting friendships were formed. Then, suddenly, in the flash of a phone call or the blink of a text, you’re ripped away from an environment where you feel at home like a page torn from a notebook.
I tried to put myself in their shoes. I tried to imagine working the front desk at Wright’s Gym and suddenly receiving a phone call from my boss telling me I’d been traded to a gym out in California.
I can’t for one moment imagine the shock or the upheaval this would cause.
Where do I live? What about my current place? Do I sell it or keep it? If you have family, what about your wife and kids? How do you explain that you’ve been traded to them? How are they going to feel?
These guys don’t have weeks to adjust. Often, they just have time to gather their equipment and a few belongings and hop on a jet. They’re probably lucky if they get introduced to their new teammates before they join them on the ice and try to contribute. All the while suppressing what I’m sure are a churning cauldron of feelings and emotions. Not the least of which would be hurt over being deemed expendable. And in the case of the aforementioned players, going from a contender to a team that’s going nowhere.
On that rather somber note, I want to wish Dominik and Zach (and Sam) all the best with their new teams. And to thank them for the blood, sweat and sacrifices they made while wearing the black and gold.
Even though it may not have seemed like it at the time, they were very much appreciated.
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Hey all,
A quicky note to thank you all for your great comments and faithful readership. And also to thank you for the birthday wishes ... :)
Jim, happy birthday to you, my friend ... :)
Rick
Hey Rick,
Great article Rick!!!!
Some here, on this site may think I am the Dorothy's Tin Man, in need of a heart. Fortunately, you actually know me and know better; I just don't let sentiment or emotions cloud my decisions. I was harder on Simon and ZAR then you. I may have wanted them out of Pgh, but I don't wish them any ill.
Hextall though as you noted does deserve a lot of credit for how he is navigating thru JRs mess. Our Pens may not be as big of a team as we may like yet, but there has been a slow perceivable increase in the size of this team. Yes, offensively, the team still has an annoying tendency to skate the perimeter and not attack the paint and defensively just wave at opponents in Jarry's crease, but the size is a changin'.
You know I have precious little time to write, right now, so as much as would love to turn this into a full blown discussion, I would like to shine a big light on perhaps the best and most important move Hextall has made in his brief tenure. The move I speak of hasn't involved a Skater or Goalie but a Coach. Of course, I am speaking about the firing of Mike Buckley and hiring of Andy Chiodo.
I don't wish any ill on Buckley either, but Chiodo has really turned Jarry around. This is still the regular season and Jarry ma be as suspect as Mike reports some talking heads on Hockey Night in Canada intimated but right now he looks far better than he did under Buckley. He isn't giving up the short side shoulder, he is playing confident and attacking shooters.
DeSmith may not be playing that well but for my money, Jarry has been this teams MVP so far this season. He has stolen a significant number of games. This team would be fighting for that playoff spot right now, as you, me and so many others thought way back in October if not for number 35. If not for Jarry, perhaps GMRH would have been a seller (like still would have preferred) and not a buyer this trade deadline.
Yes, I like the Carter trade and resigning, and the Heinen and even McGinn signings, the Freidman waiver claim and if Hextall can get Rakell to sign and not go UFA and be nothing but a futile rental, I will love that signing. However, put me down as believing that the most important thing GMRH did was have enough intestinal Fortitude to fire an underperforming coach and get one in here that would actually teach his charge (wish it were charges but it may not be Chiodo being able to help DeSmith. DeSmith may still not physically be better, he may not have fully recovered yet).
Hey Rick,
I think this is the LAST DANCE as they say for the current version of the Penguins. It can not continue given the current financial situation with the salary cap in the league and the need to sign so many players. As fans we should enjoy these final 17-18 games left in the season and what ever the play offs bring and thank the boys for all the fond memories.
As I said in an earlier post Brian Burke and Ron Hextall are exactly what this team needs moving forward and Hextall needs to be praised for improving our team with out over paying. The previous 2 GM's could not do that and to his credit Hextall resisted previous Ownership's eagerness to go all in and gamble all the future for today.
Hextall really did an amazing job given the toughsituation.
President Brian Burke gave an excellent interview on trade dead line day on TSN,( where he worked one year as an analyst ) in which he made it very clear that TRADE DEAD LINE DAY was the one day of the year where MOST NHL Teams screwed up and actually weakened their teams for their future. All trying just to win another round in the play offs he said.
He admitted to making the same mistakes earlier in his Hockey Career as a new GM. Everyone panics and feels that they need to make one more trade to keep ahead of their rivals. He also said the Pen's were in NO position to do that at this time.
In summary thank you Rick for a great article recognizing the fine job Ron Hextall has done with this team given all the underlying future personnel changes that will occur in this off season. We are indeed watching the "LAST DANCE" with this amazing group of core players that have entertained us all for so long.
Cheers
Jim
Hey Jim,
Really great point Burke brings up. Rick and I have talked a couple of times about how several teams may have actually made too many moves at the dead line and screwed up their team chemistry. Ever since the Iginla, Murrow, Jokinen, Murray era trade I have feared that very thing, and JR was so susceptible to that. I am so glad GMRH hasn't fallen into that trap.
Honestly though Jim, I still believe that although probabilities would indicate this is the LAST DANCE for the "core", particularly if you view the "core" as including Letang, but my problem is that it didn't have to end this way. There were several points when JR could have retooled for a season and not panic like Burke talked about. If he had just stood pat or sold for a season at the dead line the "core" may have had affordable young talent to shoulder a little of the load that is now squarely on Sid's, Geno's, and Kris's shoulders.
However, for me, Letang isn't core. MAF was more "core" than Letang. Letang was only a limited part in 2008-09. Gonchar may have only played 25 Games on the regular season but Letang was only a mentoring under Gonchar in the playoffs. and Letang was absent in the 2016-2017, Schultz was the Defensive man.
Don't get me wrong, I know Letang is an Offensive force par excellence, and one of the scrappiest players on this team's Defense, but I don't view him in the same way I view Sid and Geno, particularly now that he appears not willing to take a team friendly. I don't blame him for going for the money, and I hope he understands that his choice does put him in a different category then them.
Oh and although I was always a rocker and not that much into disco, I am hearing Donna Summer in my head thanks to you.
Hey Coach,
Great point about Letang. I agree with you. You raise an even better point in that this never needed to happen if we just not traded away so much of our future for instant success. Great if it works Coach, but to do it every year and not expect repercussions is short sighted. But all things considered and if we can stay healthy we may win a round if we can get a match up against the Capitals in the first round. Carolina will be TO tough to beat in seven games.
Cheers
Jim
Hey Rick and Jim,
Rick - Good article.
Jim - Hope all is well. I don't know why this would have to be the last dance with this group. Yes, there are a lot of contracts up at the end of the season, but as far as I can tell, Rust is the only player that would be looking for a pay increase. Trading Zucker who seems like he has only played 5 games since he's been here or trading Kapanen (RFA rights) who shows signs of brilliance then disappears for a month, would allow the Pens to bring back Rust. I think the pens also have an extra 750,000 they need to pay for the Jack johnson buyout but Malkin and Letangs price should go down a little. The only problem is the group as a whole will all be a year older. Maybe substitute some WBS talent for Boyle to bring that age down lol.
Great to hear from Phil.
I never thought I would get the chance to talk with you again. Three years goes by to quickly and the Doctors all said I would NOT survive, but I am here to tell you they were wrong. There is still some fight in the old dog yet.
BTW when they told me I would not see my 65th Birthday I prayed to the Good Lord and tomorrow I am 65 !! God does indeed answer prayers.
BTW, someone else you all know is also celebrating a Birthday Tomorrow.
Happy 65 th Rick. !!! and many,many more.
With regards to off season contracts Phil I truly believe Letang will not accept a team friendly deal and Rust will get a much deserved raise. We still will need more talent to win it all in 2023and that too will cost money. When the Pen,s get eliminated within the first 1 or 2 rounds, serious decisions will have to be made this off season.
That is why I feel that this team will indeed be changing in July, Letang won't be back and Rust may just receive a contract offer we simply can not match. That is why I feel this group will not all be present for the start of the 2022-23 season.
So good to hear from you Phil.I hope all is well with you and your family.
Cheers
Jim
WOW, you and Rick have the same birthday on the exact same year! Happy Birthday to both of you!
I've always felt Letang only wanted to play in Montreal. He would probably sign with them if they matched the Pens. He is playing better this year than I have ever seen him play, that's not saying much. It does seem like he wants a crazy long contract.
Thanks Phil..
... and a special thank you for this wonderful Blog you and your friends created all those years ago.
Just like good wine it only gets better with age,
Cheers
Hey Birthday Rick and Jim,
And many more!!!!!
Thanks Coach.
Really appreciate it.
Jim
Rick
Great article - trades are always hard on the player being traded, his teammates and their families. It's
definitely a tough deal and even though sad it goes with the territory.
As for Hextall I totally agree he's been really sharp and on point with the acquisitions of Carter and
Rakell but I think you would agree the lack of toughness will eventually be an issue.
I watched the game last night on Hockey night in Canada and they asked Rick Tocchet, Wayne
Gretzky and a couple of other guys on the broadcast what there major concerns were with the Pen's - A
couple of them said "Jarry", Gretzky said never count out a team that has Crosby and Tocchet said the
toughness especially in front of our net was a concern. GO PENS
Hey Mike,
Good to hear from you as always. One of the things I wanted to mention in my article but didn't work in? The fact that Hextall has delivered on his promise to make us bigger...sort of. By adding Jeff Carter (6'3" 219) and Brian Boyle (6'6" 245) and making room for Radim Zohorna (6'6" 220) he's provided us with at least some functional size. Rakell's not a midget (6'1" 195) and Friedman, while small, brings some bite. (Kind of a latter day "Bugsy" Watson.) And Beaulieu (if he ever plays) has some push-back to his game.
I know none of these guys is the Deslauriers-type physical presence we all crave. But Hextall is at least moving the needle in the right direction.
Rick
Hey Mike,
I watched part of that and was thinking maybe well see Tocchet back behind the bench. Tocchet is a good compliment to Sulli, he gets players to play above their toughness pay grade.
Hey Mike,
Funny thing is that Rick and I were just discussing that very thing, the Penguins lack of a real physical presence on Defense, with some friends of ours earlier this afternoon.