Pittsburgh Penguins fire President of Hockey ops Brian Burke, GM Ron Hextall in front office overhaul

The Pittsburgh Penguins and their ownership Fenway Sports Group have announced that they have relieved President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, General Manager Ron Hextall, and Assistant General Manager Chris Pryor of their duties effective immediately.

The decision comes after the Penguins failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. That streak was the longest active playoff streak among teams in North American professional sports. During that timeframe, the Penguins won three Stanley Cups, one in 2009 and back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017. This is the second time since Sidney Crosby began his NHL career that the Penguins did not qualify for the postseason. The Penguins were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 2021 and 2022. 

Hextall and Burke joined the Penguins organization during the COVID-shortened season after Jim Rutherford suddenly resigned from his position. Before joining the Penguins, Hextall was general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2014-2018 before he was fired. Burke has been involved in executive roles for over 33 years and won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim Ducks in 2007. 

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.”

Subsequently, during the transition period, the Penguins will rely on current Director of Hockey Operations Alec Schall, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton General Manager/Manager of Hockey Operations Eric Heasley, and Hockey Operations Analyst Andy Saucier. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan will also assist.