PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s been a topic even before the Evgeni Malkin signing was announced or even the Kris Letang contract. Why bring back essentially the same players when you haven’t gotten past the first round in four years?
It was the first question to Ron Hextall as he met with reporters on the first day of free agency.
“We always say winning the first round is typically the hardest,” Hextall explained. “I think if you look at the last two years it gives us faith that this group still has hockey left in them and still has the chance to do impressive things.”
“You look at the Islanders series two years ago, you look at the Rangers series this year. We very well could have won either of those series. Personally, I think we should have won. That gives us the belief that we can still be very competitive in this league and do special things.”
He didn’t use the names or positions, but the rough playoffs by Tristan Jarry in 2021 was obviously a big factor. Being down to your third goalie and having Rickard Rakell (5.5 games) and Sidney Crosby (1.5 games) knocked out of parts of this year’s series and still forcing a Game 7. Those are more than excuses, they are reasons.
Hextall said when speaking of keeping Letang and Malkin together, that is are more than just wanting to keep two-fifths of your power play intact.
Related
“These guys are special players,” Hextall said. “These are generational players. These are not really good hockey players, these are generational players that make people better. We still feel like we are in the mix of the top teams in the league.”
New D-man
Considering they came into the start of free agency with seven defensemen signed, it was a surprise the Pens signed a pair of D-men on Wednesday. Xavier Ouellet is likely more a depth player, but played 178 games in the NHL.
Jan Rutta is not a depth guy. Rather as a right-handed defenseman he could battle with John Marino if he’s inconsistent and likely beat out Chad Ruhwedel at least playing with the third pairing. Rutta signed with Tampa Bay after a solid season with the Blackhawks and has been in the last three Stanley Cup finals winning two.
“We wanted to get a little heavier on the back-end,” Hextall said. “We feel Jan is a good penalty killer. A good solid guy to play with any left-hander on our team. We feel it’s a good addition to our team. We feel like we got better and added a little of the girth we need in front of the net in penalty killing situations.”
Related
Trade coming
Normally, understandably, coy about wanting to reveal his true thoughts. Hextall had to admit they currently have nine defensemen signed for this season (not to mention at or above the cap when figuring in the Kasperi Kapanen future deal). They are going to get rid of at least one. Preferably in a trade that could help fill a need.
“If we could move a defenseman for a forward or for a future (draft pick), those are the types of things we will be looking at,” Hextall said. “I don’t know when or where. Once you get through free agency the dust kinda settles and then everyone knows exactly what they have and it’s easier to make moves.”
Kapanen/Rakell
Hextall says they know the range of the number where they could sign Kasperi Kapanen. Whether he signed before or goes to arbitration, likely the seven-year winger will get between $2-2.5 million.
Related
Rickard Rakell said he expects to improve in his first full season with the Pens. Obviously Hextall is counting on that, calling him ‘a real good piece moving forward that gives you versatility’. Rakell can play the wing on either side and also has NHL experience as a center.