The Pittsburgh Penguins need changes to improve, and that includes the coach and general manager.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are reeling after another embarrassing loss. With each game, the team is dropping further out of the playoff picture. In response, both head coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Ron Hextall, have remained stubborn. It is still unclear whether they are unable or unwilling to, but it's becoming clearer that this team cannot improve until one, or perhaps both, of those positions are replaced.
Ron Hextall's Blunders Continue to Prove Costly
It's anyone's guess who is at fault for the Penguins' struggles. There is plenty of blame to go around, however, and it's fair to direct most of it at the head coach and general manager of the team.
Hextall has done his team a disservice. Between questionable trades and contract negotiations, Hextall's performance has left much to be desired.
Some of his most recent decision especially are proving costly.
He fumbled the expansion draft, and in the process lost Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev for a meager return of prospect Filip Hallander. McCann and Tanev have a combined 36 goals this season. To put that in context, the eight Penguins who have played on the third and fourth lines have a combined total of 42 goals.
Hextall's decision to add Jan Rutta and Jeff Petry while clearing out Mike Matheson and John Marino added roughly $3 million in additional salary, giving the team even less wiggle room to make adjustments. The team is feeling the ramifications currently, as they had to waive Kasperi Kapanen and still need to make another corresponding move to be able to active Rutta from long-term injured reserve.
With just days remaining before the trade deadline, the Penguins have minimal cap space available, and will need to send out a contract or two if they want to add any players to their roster. The bigger question at this point maybe: is this team even worth adding to?
Hextall remains insistent on improving the team for now and the future, but their recent play indicates their is very limited chance of improving them this season.
Is Sullivan Still the Guy?
Meanwhile, Sullivan remains steadfast in his commitment to his team and players. Unfortunately, his once steady demeanor seems to be cracking. With repeated questions about the players on his roster, his real feelings are beginning to show: this roster doesn't meet the standard.
Following the loss against the Oilers, Sullivan stated this about his players: "Our roster is our roster, so we have what we have." While he did go on to reinforce his belief in the locker room, with each passing loss, that belief must be dissipating.
It all begs the question: does Sullivan still have control of the room? Hockey teams are notorious for tuning out a coach when the message turns sour, and with the team continuing to plummet, you have to wonder if that's the case.
Losing always exacerbates issues within a team, and the Penguins are not exempt from that. As currently constructed and playing, the Pens are far from a Stanley Cup contender, and are possibly not even a playoff team. That is simply, unacceptable, and the two men most responsible for that failure are the head coach and general manager.
The Penguins need to change to improve. As long as they have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the black and gold, the management and coaching staff must leave no stone unturned to give them a chance to compete. Right now, neither is doing that, and the Penguins organization needs to seriously consider how much longer one, or both, have left with the team.
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