from Adam Gretz of The Bleacher Report,

It is the first time since the 2005-06 season that they have failed to qualify for the playoffs, and it is a stunning end to one of the biggest regular-season failures in franchise history.

It presents the team's ownership, Fenway Sports Group, with its first big, franchise-altering decision since it purchased the team nearly two years ago.

That decision should be easy after missing the playoffs.

It has to clean house in its front office and fire general manager Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke.

There is no way that duo can return for another season and potentially waste one of the few remaining years the Penguins have with their core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

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I think the lack of leadership was a lot closer to ice level. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Rust, etc couldn't get by the lowly Blackhawks. Say what you want about Brian Burke (and I love the guy, but not sure I'd want him as my GM), but this one's not on him.

Goaltending and D. Of the 16 playoff bound teams only one (Florida) as of today has given up more goals than Pit. I have to think that is on the GM a bit. The coach is the same guy who won Cups there. But perhaps the Jeff Petry trade was the one that really bit them. $ 6.25mm cap hit for next two years on top of Crosby at 8.7 (a good deal with 2 years left) Malkin at 6.1 with 3 years left Letang at 6.1 with 5 years left. All three good deals based on this year's production but I wonder if the Petry deal is worth it - don't see enough of him to evaluate. Jake Guentzel at 6mm is also a

good deal. But bringing the old boys back in full - and for term - let's see how that plays out. The Goaltending is freeing up next year (Jarry is UFA) time to make a statement there