Pittsburgh Media Release,
The Pittsburgh Penguins have relieved President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, General Manager Ron Hextall and Assistant General Manager, Chris Pryor of their duties, it was announced today by Fenway Sports Group.
John Henry and Tom Werner issued the following statement:
"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 search for new hockey operations leadership will begin immediately.
During this transition, the managerial duties of hockey operations will be shared among current Director of Hockey Operations, Alec Schall, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton General Manager/Manager of Hockey Operations, Erik Heasley and Hockey Operations Analyst, Andy Saucier. Head Coach Mike Sullivan will also assist during the transition.
The Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, ending the longest-active playoff streak among teams in North American professional sports. The streak included three Stanley Cup Championships (2009, '16, '17), four Stanley Cup Final appearances and five trips to the Eastern Conference Final. This is only the second time since Sidney Crosby made his NHL debut in 2005-06 that the Penguins did not qualify for the postseason.
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
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No word on whether or not the Pens fired Bettman?
Ha! Bettman is grief stricken and is firing Refs after the season who failed to support his Pens!
They should. He didn't help them sneak in the playoffs like he usually does. He will make up for it in Pittsburgh's draft positioning.
As soon as they hired Hextall and Burke, I knew the Pens would crumble.
ESPN should hire Hextall and team him up with his niece.
Have to think Burke will be back with Sportsnet.
Great...now we can see Burkie back on Hockey Night in Canada..Bring back Grapes. Should make a great tag team. Better than what they have now. (Sarcasm off) (OK, half off)
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