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Former Penguins general manager Ron Hextall
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Magazine

Ron Hextall's past trades that are still harming the Penguins

Published May 9, 2024 at 6:59 PM
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May 9, 2024  (6:59 PM)
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Kyle Dubas has caught a lot of flack in his first year as general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but many of the team's problems he inherited from previous GM, Ron Hextall.

The Pittsburgh Penguins made big swings last year to change their leadership after missing a chance at the playoffs. This included firing former goaltender and general manager Ron Hextall last April, who preceded Dubas.

"Big changes coming in Pittsburgh 👀

The Penguins have fired President of Hockey Ops Brian Burke, GM Ron Hextall and Assistant GM Chris Pryor"





Yet, with another chance at post-season long gone and a 14th overall draft pick, it is abundantly clear that the Penguins will need a longer time to recover from their previous leaders' mistakes. Among the greatest of these poor choices was the infamous trade that brought Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round draft pick from the New Jersey Devils to Pittsburgh in exchange for John Marino.

"TRADE ALERT 🚨

The Penguins have acquired Ty Smith (@_tysmith_24) and a 2023 third-round pick from the Devils in exchange for John Marino."



Many fans were upset by this trade deal at the time, and with how events unfolded, their criticisms largely proved correct. John Marino had a solid defensive presence with New Jersey, while Ty Smith got into a sophomore slump and could not get effectively utilized.

John Marino Tonight

� 2 Assists
� 2 Shot Attempts
� 1 High Danger Shot Attempt

On-Ice For
� 4 Goals For (Obviously 0 Against)
� 2.51 xGF (0.69 xGA)

Ty Smith played the majority of the season in the AHL."





Additionally, Hextall made a trade deal that got Jeff Petry and Ryan Poehling for Mike Matheson, thus totally dismantling their defensive core. Matheson has outperformed both of them since, and has ultimately been a better deal for Montreal.

"Jeff Petry's best season in Montreal was 46 points in 82 games in 2018-2019

Mike Matheson is on pace for 61 points this season

He scored at a 58-point pace last season but only played in 48 games

The Habs also got a 4th round pick which became Bogdan Konyushkov

#GoHabsGo"



With only one year under his belt, Kyle Dubas still has some time to work on remolding the Pittsburgh Penguins and ending their cup drought. Hopefully, he can move beyond the mistakes of the previous team leadership in the seasons to come.

Source - The Hockey News
Ron Hextall Trades Still Dragging Penguins Down
POLL
May 9   |   31 answers
Ron Hextall's past trades that are still harming the Penguins

Will the Pittsburgh Penguins recover from the John Marino trade in the next season?

Yes1238.7 %
No1754.8 %
They already have26.5 %
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