The Penguins have fired general manager Ron Hector, hockey operations president Brian Burke and assistant general manager Chris Pryor, the team announced Friday. Here’s what you should know:
- Hextal and Burke were hired on February 9, 2021 — less than two weeks after former GM Jim Rutherford’s sudden resignation. Burke was the franchise’s first president of hockey operations.
- The Penguins’ streak of NHL Best-16 playoff appearances ended this season.
- Hextal is the first Penguin GM since Tony Esposito (April 14, 1988 to December 5, 1989) to not win a Stanley Cup.
- Pittsburgh has hired Pryor as its director of player personnel in 2021.
what went wrong
Neither Hector nor Burke seemed stylistically fit for their employment, but the Penguins sought mid-season employment to replace Rutherford early in the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened season. Hector’s patient/prospect-focused approach and Burke’s ferocity contrasted with Rutherford’s aggressive/all-in philosophy and witty mannerisms.
Hired by previous owners (Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle) to keep the Penguins in the cup and build them for the future, Hector and Burke have failed multiple trades and sign-ups, resulting in a goal loss. Consistency and injuries in tending positions and salary cap issues. Fenway Sports Group (FSG) purchased the Penguin midway through the management tandem’s first full his season (2021-22).
what’s next
The Penguins don’t have a CEO, so it’s unclear who will oversee the search for a general manager. It’s also unclear if another Hockey Operations President will be hired or if he will return to GM overseeing the hockey division next. Burke’s role was ill-defined and appeared to serve as a consultant to Hextall.
FSG is still a relatively new organization in hockey, but has overseen regime changes in other big sports facilities, including baseball’s Boston Red Sox and Premier League’s Liverpool Football Club. FSG could be hoping to have a new manager/management team in place by his NHL Draft in late June at the latest.
Impact of coaching
Coach Mike Sullivan is under contract through the 2026-27 season after signing a three-year contract extension last summer. Sullivan is the most winning coach in franchise history, with the Cup he won twice, and has the backing of the Penguins’ most influential players, captain Sidney Crosby and top alternate Evgeny He Malkin.
The new manager/management team will likely give Sullivan at least next season to prove he’s the man behind the bench. In the summer of 2020, he signed a contract extension that expires after the end of the 2023-24 season.
what they say
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work in this passionate sports city,” Burke said. said on Twitter“Thanks to FSG, Mario Lemieux, David Morehouse, the management team, coaches and especially the incredible players. We wish the Penguins and their incredible fan base the best of luck in the years to come.”
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(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
