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Hextall Dabbled; Why He Kept Penguins Together & Carter ‘All-In’ | PHN+
The Pittsburgh Penguins made one significant move in the early morning hours of the 2021 NHL trade deadline day. GM Ron Hextall reached into his past to acquire LA Kings alternate captain Jeff Carter with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2012. But that was the only move the Penguins made.
Yeah, just one? No blockbuster. No five-alarm move sneaking in just under the 3 p.m. deadline or a deal so complicated that the NHL office didn’t understand it even after having it explained?
Nope.
Though Carter is 36-years-old with lineup flexibility, so that part may be too familiar to Penguins fans who watched Patrick Marleau absolutely fizzle after the Penguins acquired him at the 2020 NHL trade deadline.
Earlier on Monday, Penguins President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke said the process to acquire Carter and get the player warm to the idea of leaving LA, where he played for the last decade, began one month ago.
Burke also said they’re the Pittsburgh Penguins and they’re “not going to kiss anyone’s butts.” Though Burke and Hextall said Carter didn’t to be convinced.