Ron Hextall is apparently negotiating with the Pittsburgh Penguins to become the next general manager of the organization. As per Elliotte Friedman, it sounds like Hextall is past the stage of interviews and is now working out the details to take the job.
Related: Top Option Out of Penguins GM Race, Pens Will Talk to Ron Hextall
Earlier on Tuesday, as per a report from NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the former Philadelphia Flyers GM was the frontrunner to take over as GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins following former GM Jim Rutherford’s sudden resignation. LeBrun reported Hextall is leading the way as the top prospect for the job, but that the Penguins will spend the next few days reviewing and potentially interviewing other candidates.
Friedman’s update makes it sound like the Penguins are forgoing the other interviews are working to hire Hextall instead. TSN’s Frank Seravalli reported as well that Hextall has been offered the GM job and the two sides are talking numbers at this point. He added that it’s possible that a handshake agreement is in place as soon as today.
Hextall Was Always a Frontrunner
Hextall has served in NHL front offices dating back to 1999, when he began working for the Philadelphia Flyers as a scout. He moved on to work with the Los Angeles Kings and then spent time as the GM of for the Flyers.
It will be very interesting with Hextall at the helm in Pittsburgh. Not only is he known for having completely retooled the Flyers, but done so in a completely different way than Jim Rutherford did as a trade-happy GM, but the Penguins and Flyers have a longstanding rivalry.
Next: Boston Bruins Sniffing Around on Canucks’ Jake Virtanen in Trade
