MAJOR | Penguins make MAJOR off-ice changes after missing post-season for first time since 2006
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Friday morning that they've fired President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, General Manager Ron Hextall and Assistant General Manager Chris Pryor after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
"We are grateful to Brian, Ron, and Chris for their contributions to the organization over the past two seasons, but we feel that the team will benefit from new hockey operations leadership. While this season has been disappointing, we believe in our core group of players and the goal of contending for the Stanley Cup has not changed."
The Penguins added that the search for a new management group will begin immediately, with the hockey operations group being looked after right now by Alec Schall, Erik Heasley, and Andy Saucier. Head coach Mike Sullivan is also expected to help with the transition.
Pittsburgh's streak of 17 consecutive playoff appearances was snapped earlier this week, large in part to a devastating loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. It will be interesting to see who's brought in on the management side of things and what they'll do to put their stamp on the roster. Pittsburgh has one of the oldest rosters in the NHL and there's no doubt that going into next season, they'll want a younger roster, while retaining key pieces like Crosby, Malkin and Letang.
Previously on CanucksDaily
POLL |
AVRIL 14 | 148 ANSWERS MAJOR | Penguins make MAJOR off-ice changes after missing post-season for first time since 2006 Is this the right move from the Penguins ownership? |
Yes | 79 | 53.4 % |
No | 22 | 14.9 % |
Should've tried to move players/get younger first | 33 | 22.3 % |
See Results | 14 | 9.5 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Cooper Godin Pittsburgh Penguins Make Pair of Trades Involving Two Former Vancouver Canucks Defensemen |
|
2 hours ago | By Cooper Godin Vancouver Has Big Decision to Make As Two Former First-Round Picks Are Made Available to the Canucks for Free |
|
6 hours ago | By Cooper Godin Brock Boeser Breaks Silence Ahead of Potential Final Game as a Vancouver Canuck |
|
7 hours ago | By Cooper Godin Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet Delivers Crushing News on Captain Quinn Hughes' Status for Rest of the Season |
|
7 hours ago | By Cooper Godin Vancouver Canucks to Debut Brand New Logo Tonight vs the Anaheim Ducks |
|
9 hours ago | By Cooper Godin Vancouver Canucks' Marcus Pettersson Opens Up on First Month with His New Team |
|
11 hours ago | By Cooper Godin "talk is cheap" - Former Vancouver Canuck Jannik Hansen Gets Brutally Honest About Elias Pettersson's Comments |
|
23 hours ago | By Cooper Godin Vancouver Canucks Reportedly Working on Trade Sending Pius Suter to Dallas Stars |