A phrase that's been thrown around since the Penguins lost Game 7 to the New York Rangers on Sunday night is "end of an era."
Forward Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang just played their last game in Pittsburgh under their current contracts. Both now become unrestricted free agents.
Forwards Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Evan Rodrigues and goalie Casey DeSmith are also UFAs.
But while the future of the franchise is at a crossroads, will the current general manager be making the big decisions?
Speaking to The Fan Morning Show from New York on Monday morning, Jeff Hathhorn talked about the decisions that the organization has to be made including, the GM.
"I think the first one that we can't overlook is the Fenway Sports Group has to decide if Ron Hextall is worthy of being the general manager next year," said Hathhorn. "I don't think it's a lock that Ron Hextall is back."
The Fenway Sports Group recently purchased the Penguins.
Hathhorn adds the organization has some "touch conversations" and decisions to make and the front office decisions need to happen quickly with free agency and the draft coming up.
After four straight first round losses, Fenway Sports Group is looking through the entire organization and areas they can improve and Hextall could be one of them.
"I think they're evaluating Hextall and my point is there's not a 100 percent confidence that that's the right choice," said Hathhorn. "You're looking at a mega-group that has had some incredible experience across multiple sports that may be looking to upgrade in a couple of those positions."
Hextall, along with President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, were hired in early February 2021, after long-time GM Jim Rutherford resigned.
