Pittsburgh Penguins fire Ron Hextall and Brian Burke

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 16 years, the Penguins have made the decision to take the front office in a different direction. 

The team announced that general manager Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke have been fired. The team also fired assistant general manager Chris Pryor.

"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," said John Henry and Tom Werner of Fenway Sports Group in a statement Friday. "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."

Burke thanked the organization and fans on Twitter, saying in part, "Thank you to FSG, Mario Lemieux, David Morehouse, management and coaches, and especially to our great group of players."

Both Hextall and Burke were hired in the COVID-19-shortened season in 2021 when Jim Rutherford suddenly resigned as Penguins' general manager. 

In that time, the Penguins were eliminated from the postseason in the first round in 2021 and 2022. 

As ownership begins the search for a new general manager and hockey operations leadership, it said duties will be split between the director of hockey operations Alec Schall, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton General Manager Erik Heasley and hockey operations analyst Andy Saucier. 

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan will assist with hockey operations duties, as well. 

The Penguins missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year, ending the longest active postseason streak in North American sports. 

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