The Penguins parted with GM Ron Hextall and Brian Burke on Friday. Before that, some writers were wondering what Pittsburgh should do with its pending UFAs.
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry is a UFA this off-season.The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007. It didn't long for media speculation to surface regarding the club's off-season plans following its disappointing 2022-23 campaign.
Most of it centered on the fate of GM Ron Hextall, whom Penguins followers held responsible for the team's struggles this season. The team dismissed Hextall, president of hockey operations Brian Burke and assistant GM Chris Pryor on Friday.
Fenway Sports Group, the majority owner of the Penguins, said the team is still fully focused on winning now with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang in the lineup.
Rob Rossi of The Athletic observed coach Mike Sullivan is signed through 2026-27. He expects that contract will ensure Sullivan will be behind the Penguins' bench next season. Pittsburgh's announcement on Friday noted Sullivan will assist with the transition to the new replacements in the front office.
Hextall's replacement must decide on re-signing or replacing key UFAs Tristan Jarry, Brian Dumoulin and Jason Zucker. Rossi and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Matt Vensel doubt Dumoulin and Zucker will be back, given the Penguins' limited cap space for next season.
Vensel doesn't think Jarry should be re-signed but noted the Penguins might not find many suitable replacements in the UFA market. He suggested Boston Bruins' RFA Jeremy Swayman could be worth considering, but that could mean acquiring him either via trade or an offer sheet.
The Penguins could attempt a cost-cutting deal by moving Mikael Granlund or Jeff Petry. Vensel believes they might have to package the disappointing Granlund with a draft pick. He felt there could be interest in Petry, but the Penguins would have to find a suitable replacement for him.
Penguins fans could call for the aging Jeff Carter to be moved. However, Vensel observed he has a full no-trade clause on a 35-plus contract, meaning they won't get cap relief if he retires or is bought out.