Penguins Owner FSG Speaks After Firings, but Answers Elusive
The Pittsburgh Penguins are without a GM, assistant GM, and president of hockey operations. Hours after Penguins owners Fenway Sports Group cleaned house following the worst regular season in 17 years, FSG co-head Dave Beeston spoke publicly for the first time since the group acquired the team in November 2021.
Beeston and Penguins director of business operations Kevin Acklin were seated together for the 15-minute press conference.
Friday morning, FSG terminated GM Ron Hextall, AGM Chris Pryor, and president of hockey ops Brian Burke. The Penguins and new owners now have a clean slate to chart their own course.
Questions were asked.
Few answers were given.
Beeston, who appeared nervous, especially during his opening remarks, dutifully filled the chair on a vitally important day. However, Beeston tried to avoid specifics and details.
There isn’t a timeline for a new GM; FSG will begin the process immediately.
Beeston could not say if the hockey operations head would be hired first or even if the position would be filled.
“There’s no parameters or set format for what we’re going to hire. I think we’ve learned in all of our sports endeavors that these jobs are not one-person, two-person jobs,” said Beeston. “They are entire department-wide. And so we’re focused on building a hockey operations machine.”
What went into the decision to move on from Hextall and Burke after just two years?
“I think that the way we’ve thought about our hockey operations, generally, is we want to be forward and proactive,” Beeston said. “Ron, Brian, and Chris were great and served a great role. We are all disappointed with how the season ended, but we’re focused on the future and moving forward.”
Coach Mike Sullivan is part of the Penguins’ transition team. One would assume he is safe moving forward. However, he wasn’t given a vote of confidence or confirmed.
“I think the answer to that is we think Mike Sullivan is one of the best coaches in the NHL. He was extended last season, and then once we bring in a new hockey operations leader, he or she will be responsible for evaluating the coaching staff,” said Beeston. “And we think Mike is terrific.”
A few concrete answers emerged from the first public comments. FSG will do everything possible to ensure Sidney Crosby never wears another jersey.
The Penguins core, Malkin, Letang, and Crosby, have been together for the 16-year playoff streak and the miss in year 17.
Crosby’s contract expires in two years, and he wouldn’t be the first star player to move on near the end, but FSG was firm they won’t let that happen.
“It’s very important that Sidney Crosby never plays a game in another uniform other than the Penguins.”
And the press conference concluded with a question many fans have asked. Will minority owner Mario Lemieux play a more active role in the future.
Both Beeston and Acklin publicly supported Lemieux’s decision to spend significant time away from the organization since the sale but also expressed hope Lemieux would return to provide guidance next season.
Lemieux did speak with Acklin and FSG Friday morning. Both men openly encouraged Lemieux to get involved.
“I talked to Mario this morning after the news broke. He talked to ownership as well, to Tom (Werner, FSG co-owner) directly. He was at a game a couple of weeks ago … So, to today’s point, he earned some time on the golf course when he sold most of his interests. But, you know, he still cares about the team. And obviously, we’d love to see more of him at the arena. And that’s something we’ll keep engaging with all the time.”
The Penguins face another summer of uncertainty. The upheaval has already begun.
FSG Structure:
Beeston is not necessarily the decision maker or the oversight. As he explained, John Henry and Tom Werner are the decision-makers, as they are for the rest of FSG properties, including the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC.
“Fenway Sports Group — John Henry and Tom Werner are the principal and chairman of the company, and they’re responsible for the oversight of the Penguins like they are for other teams and other assets that we have,” explained Beeston. “The way we operate is that John and Tom are responsible for the business and the sporting side. So Kevin (Acklin) reports through John and Tom, and the new hockey operations leader, whoever we hire, will also report through Tom and John.
“I’m based in Boston. They’ve asked me to take on sort of a more day-to-day role in Pittsburgh. And so I’m working with Kevin and the entire team in Pittsburgh on a daily basis.”
Categorized:Penguins
Making Sullivan part of the transition team is a huge mistake. I feel he “drove the bus” when Rutherford was the GM, undermining Rutherfords decisions and, basically, emasculating him. Rutherford made trades and Sullivan didn’t seem to buy into those players. Ryan Reaves being a prime example. Sullivan should’ve been told to play who he is given or be shown the door. Maybe Rutherford got sick of playing second fiddle causing him to leave. Now, if Sullivan is part of the transition team will he try to encourage FSG to hire someone he prefers opposed to someone that will do… Read more »
Well, being part of that team will, one would assume, allow the other members of the transition team to evaluate Sullivan from that angle including getting to know him, his thoughts on the franchise, etc. Might be good.
Couldn’t agree more.
Beeston said the Sullivan decision will be the new GM’s decision to make. That’s their out. But let’s be serious. What respectable, high-quality GM coming in wouldn’t want his own guy behind the bench? Let’s say they don’t make the playoffs again next year, is the GM off the hook because he acquiesced to retaining Sullivan to appease FSG?
The smart decision is to start with a completely new slate. Hire the right guy and let him paint the blank canvas to his 100% liking.
#CleanSlate
I can see it both ways. Sullivan has been around a long while, has the Cups, lots of experience and a long contract. Shrug. I’ve got no problems with them not making a change immediately.
Madden said he had great faith in FSG to clean up this nuclear disaster. In other words, be afraid, Pens fans. All three of you. #Hexed
So, where has everyone been since acquiring the Penguins since 2021?
Likely letting the existing organization do their jobs to see how the team fares. Playoffs one year, none the next and a downward trajectory. Therefore, immediately after the season they made some changes. Shrug. Had the team been much better this year, we probably would have heard even less from FSG.
Dan, I find the bit on Mike Sullivan here very disingenuous.Saying he is one of the best coaches in the NHL and he and his whole staff are terrific…
I am not sure how you got out of this “no vote of confidence”…what a dumb thing it would be to say “any incoming GM has to have this coach”. Sends the wrong message before interviews are even started. What he said was completely approrpiate and makes things seem like there is a strong lean towards Mike Sullivan staying.
If you want a bona fide GM you must let them set up everything. So I agree with you.
That’s what they did with Hextall/Burke. Sullivan was part of the package. This time, “he’s terrific,” clashed with the leader of hockey operations will evaluate him. Those words leave Sullivan in the wind (though he’s on the transition team, so presumably, he’ll push for someone who values him).
Its also been made clear Sullivan is not part of the search for a GM…thats just bizarre to have a head coach have an opinion on hiring his boss.
So Im not sure why you are insinuating that. This is always the time of year Pittsburgh media starts stretching and spinning truths.
made clear by whom? Sullivan is part of the small transition team.
Made clear by the voices in the head of cacastine. What else do you need?
“I think that the way we’ve thought about our hockey operations, generally, is we want to be forward and proactive,” Beeston said.
He thinks they want to be forward and proactive (but he’s not sure)? Mario brought in Hextall and Burke, plus he’s been away for a year. FSG needs to step up and do every little avenue of diligence they can possibly think of and take extensive notes on where they can improve. They’re going to need any edge they can give themselves at this time.
Might be over analyzing his words a bit there. Hes telling you what their mindset and approach is. There is no point in twisting words to fit the bias we all have against FSG right now.
Time to give them a chance to course correct.
You’re right. And from what I’ve read further, it sounds like they’re trying to make rational decisions. The fact that FSG is (reportedly) pushing for Dubas in a big way is a huge point in their favor because it shows they recognize and value someone who can identify talent, build a team, make shrewd deals, learn from their mistakes, embrace analytics and technology, grow an integrated operation, and has a reputation for treating players and staff well.
Don’t worry, we will have another chance to criticize them soon enough.
FSG cannot push for Dubas, who is A) busy, B) Still under contract for a while. I don’t know where some of this stuff is coming from.