Ron Hextall Looks to Fix Penguins Bottom Six Mess He Created
Ron Hextall is looking to inject some positive change in the Pittsburgh Penguins forward depth.
PITTSBURGH - We don’t need to go over the big introduction one this, everyone knows the bottom two lines on the Pittsburgh Penguins just can’t get it done.
We also all know that fans have been asking for some kind of change or solution to the problem for quite some time, and the Penguins might finally have the ball rolling.
Ron Hextall recently told the Athletic that the pieces within the bottom six ‘haven’t quite fit’ and that he has been looking for an adjustment.
Here’s the thing about Hextall looking into the bottom six, he created this mess.
It was with Hextall’s decision making that brought in Jeff Carter, signed Brock McGinn for four years, and extended Kasperi Kapanen despite an awful season.
And that’s just the third line; the Penguins fourth line has been a revolving door this season.
Teddy Bueger’s two-year extension was Hextall’s first NHL signing with the Penguins and that was a fine move at the time.
At this stage of the 2022-23 season, however, Blueger can't buy a goal and his defensive play hasn't looked the same.
Josh Archibald is a fun piece in the lineup this year, but he doesn’t bring much offense to the table.
Re-signing Danton Heinen was a great move when it happened, but he's been snakebitten this year and found his way back into Mike Sullivan's dog house.
Now, think of all the players that have departed Pittsburgh under Hextall’s leadership.
Jared McCann was traded away for Filip Hallander who may never get a real shot with the team, while Brandon Tanev was taken in the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft.
Then there’s Evan Rodrigues, who had a poor ending to his tenure with the Penguins, but he would surely be a useful piece right now.
Hextall let Rodrigues walk to free agency where he signed with the Colorado Avalanche and has recorded 26 points (11G-15A) in 44 games.
It’s good that Hextall wants to fix the bottom six, the only issue is that it’s in this state because of his decision making.
Hextall has allowed superior talent to walk away, while the group he assembled has put together next to no offensive production over multiple months.
It's up to Hextall to own up to his mistakes by more than just saying it, he needs to take the action and make some positive changes for the Penguins.
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