The Metropolitan Division continues to get better while the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to sit around.
When Ron Hextall was hired as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, he made an unwritten rule for himself that he has yet to hold to.
Upon being hired by the Penguins, Hextall wanted to maintain about $2 million in breathing room between the team’s salary and the cap ceiling.
In fairness to Hextall, he expected there to be some increase in said ceiling over time, but lasting effects from the COVID pandemic have forced the NHL to maintain a steady cap number.
Hextall said as much in his presser upon the Penguins’ return from break, stating that he wanted to leave the space but hasn’t had the opportunity.
As the trade deadline nears, the Penguins are in need of a move, but do they have the cap space?
Hextall and many others have said they are going to have to get creative to make a move work, thanks to the lack of cap room, but he can’t use that as an excuse anymore.
Look at what the New York Rangers just pulled off; with about $1.5 million in cap space, they traded for Vladimir Tarasenko and his $7.5 million cap hit.
The St. Louis Blues are retaining 50% of the price tag, but by looking at the whole deal, the Rangers are still adding far more money than they have open.
A few other roster moves have to be on the way for the Rangers, but they’re making it work.
As the Metropolitan Division continues to get stronger, the Hextall and Penguins should take notes.
It’s possible to make a trade work without open space in the cap, Hextall just needs to make some calls and get moving.
Working with situations and struggles around the salary cap is part of being a general manager and shouldn't be seen as a huge obstacle.
If Hextall is serious about improving the Penguins, he won't continue to look at the salary cap as a crutch.
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