Ron Hextall touted last Friday of how he believes the Penguins are better equipped to now win in the post-season than they were say two weeks ago. The comments raised a lot of eyebrows from the fan base and local media for a General Manager whose anger and criticism towards is rivaling that of David Littlefield from 15+ years ago.
“I like the way our team’s playing; I like our team and we wanted to enhance our chances and get better. We feel like we did that,” Hextall said during his post-trade deadline media session. a lot of eyebrows among the fan base and local media.
But, is Hextall correct?
Everything starts with Mikael Granlund and was Granlund the right player to add long-term? Probably not but in the short-term he improves Pittsburgh’s top-9 and gives the Penguins a body who’s at least a threat on a game by game basis to create 1-on-1 offense. The subtractions of Kasperi Kapanen and Brock McGinn have opened up a full-time spot for Drew O’Connor who some in the organization look at as a trade deadline addition with how he’s progressed as a younger player and is learning to use his size below the circles. The roster shuffle has also given a more-steady role to Danton Heinen as many seem to forget this was a player who netted 18 goals last season, including 3 goals in seven playoff games. This is a player management has wanted more in the lineup after Heinen fell early into Mike Sullivan’s doghouse. Then there’s Nick Bonino who gives the Penguins more jam to the 4th line than Teddy Blueger was ever going to give them.
After the Edmonton game, the Penguins coaching staff made some tweaks to their defensive zone structure and shocking as it is, the players actually implemented it during stretches of the four-game winning streak. A focus has been on insulating the slot area to improve their defensive play from 35ft in, a source says to play bigger defensively, and the improved defensive play was actually seen in the St. Louis and particularly performances against Tampa Bay.
It all went out the window against the Panthers which is always concerning with this group as if the opposition wants to play wagon hockey, the Penguins often can’t help themselves. But, if the Penguins can consistently play a tighter defensive structure in the middle of the ice that is more equipped for how their d-men are built, especially with the Dmitry Kulikov addition, they have the makings of being an improved hockey club down the stretch.
MORE BUZZ
Pittsburgh’s deadline pursuit of Mikael Granlund happened really quick as in a matter of 48 hours from when Pittsburgh first made contact with Nashville. And on Wednesday of last week when the trade was made, the Penguins felt they had to make a decision that night or Nashville was moving in another direction to trade Granlund to the To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Where are the zucker haters
Stan you here ? Or back to making donuts
Hextall confident after deadline moves: Penguins can win Cup
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2591063
This is the type of assholee we have running the team. Delusional clown.
Anybody miss fleury lol
37 old and better than both of penguins current goalies loll
Tristan Jarry blows I’m sure Hextall will give him 6 million for 5 years Now!!!
Penguins should get this offseasom
Nylander. Give him 10m a year
Let him join the penguins new fresh talented blood
Joins his brother
I get the rental Moves in Bonino an Kulikov for this season we didn’t lose much or add much their. But the Granlund move is questionable I believe he is a Good player an just turned 31. But they could have traded for Bertuzzi or took a flyer on Vrana who’s a goal scorer or Barbashev, a lot of better options for a 5 million player on a 2 year contract even the canucks we’re willing to retain salary on Boeser I’m just shocked that he wanted Granlund this bad. Not saying he’s a bad player he’s solid but with… Read more »
Totally agree the Granlund move while a useful skill player at $ 5 million eeekkkssss.
You see McCann scoring 31 goals for Seattle and Bertuzzi added to Boston.
And seeing the Kings got Gavrikov and Korpasalo for a 1st and Jonathan quick. geezzz
How much could the Penguins use Gavrikov and Korpasalo especially after watching Jarry struggle again.
TWO THINGS THIS SUMMER FIRE HEXTALL/BURKE AND MOVE ON FROM JARRY WHO WILL WANT NORTH OF $4.5 MILLION NEXT YEAR
Absolutely I think they should move on from Jarry also. He’s injury prone an very inconsistent, he’s solid but still a lot of question marks to his game. Yea Hextall an Burke absolutely should be Gone. I hope they keep Zucker but he’s pricing himself out of Pitt with the way he’s playing. We will have some Cap space with players on expiring contracts which is good, bye bye Dumo thank goodness!!! Ownership should try to talk Jeff Carter into retirement Bc he just doesn’t have it anymore besides faceoffs. Let Danton walk try an find a new 3rd line… Read more »
Apparently mstartari turned off his tv once the game was 2-0 for jackets
This assholee just made the team older
They did improve especially defensively with Bonino and Kulikov. I think all three players will help but these ‘rrent moves that make them a cup contender. We have played Carolina and Boston tough even though we are 0-5 against them all losses to Carolina and Boston have been by one goal….with one game remaining against Boston.
Wtf are u talking about
This clown just build the team just to make the playoffs nothing more
Just to say penguins streak is still on
In his delusional mind he thinks penguins will win the cup
They did improve but i do agree with what you are saying…about the playoffs
But still I will take Granlund Kulikov, and Bonino over McGinn, Kapanen, Blueger
this off season $25 million are off the books that is where they better make the team a contender with solid moves, signings and transactions.
plus the cap will go up $1 million that is an extra 4th line player