from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

“They’re a good group, they’re a character group. They know how to win. Terrific culture here. And never bet against Sid,” Hextall told The Athletic in an interview Monday.

“Obviously it’s more than Sid, but he’s the driver.”

It’s as if No. 87 heard the rebuild whispers when Hextall took over as GM last February and said, ‘Not on my watch.’

“When you have Crosby, you always have a chance of winning,” a rival GM said in a text message Monday, as we discussed the Penguins’ refusal to adhere to the normal cycle of NHL life.

And let’s be honest: We have been waiting for the train to go off the rails with this team. It’s only natural. You can’t go on forever. The core is aging. The Kings and Blackhawks had to rebuild. It only stands to reason the Penguins will at some point, too.

Just not quite yet.

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