Penguins Wrap: Long & Winding Road Leads to Dubas

No one can accuse Fenway Sports Group of rushing to judgment when it settled on former Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ president of hockey operations.

His hiring filled one of the team’s major front-office vacancies; the other, for a general manager to replace Ron Hextall, will be filled temporarily by Dubas, who said he will begin searching for a someone to fill the role permanently next month.

FSG’s hunt for the successors of Hextall and former president of hockey operations Brian Burke began when they were fired April 14, a day after the Penguins’ regular season ended, marking the first time they had failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2006.

Here’s a look back at the most eventful week to date in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ offseason:

Sunday

An executive from a team with no involvement in the search offers a candid assessment of some the candidates still in contention for the Penguins’ GM job. (+)

For the second day in a row, Team USA fails to protect a third-period lead at the world championships in what becomes a 4-3 overtime loss to Latvia at the world championships in Finland.

Monday

As the Penguins’ search to fill a couple of key front-office positions continues, indications are that they might hire a GM before filling the president of hockey operations opening.

Tuesday

Former Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke endorses Toronto’s decision to fire Kyle Dubas.

Wednesday

Fenway Sports Group’s lack of experience in matters pertaining to hockey is evident in the protracted search for the Penguins’ next GM and president of hockey operations.

Drew O’Connor had a solid showing with Team USA at the world championships. Will the confidence he gained in that tournament help him in the coming NHL season?

Kyle Dubas would be a fine choice as the Penguins’ next general manager, but the Penguins should compel him to make a decision soon.

Thursday

The news that Kyle Dubas was being hired as president of hockey operations breaks in mid-morning.

The big news out of Kyle Dubas’ first meeting with the local media: He plans to fill a second position, at least for a month or so.

By naming him president of hockey operations, the Pittsburgh Penguins have put the future of their organization in the hands of Kyle Dubas.

The Penguins nailed it when they hired Kyle Dubas.

Friday

Mike Sullivan makes it clear during an online session with reporters that there’s at least one quality he wants to see added to his roster during the offseason.

Three members of the Penguins’ front office who had been hired by former GM Ron Hextall are no longer with the organization.

You asked, he answered. Dan Kingerski’s Penguins Q&A.

Saturday

Reading between the lines on Mike Sullivan’s remarks during his media availability Friday (+).

Kyle Dubas is scheduled to be the Pittsburgh Penguins’ interim GM for the next month or so, but there’s a scenario under which the person who gets that job as a full-time position might cede some authority to Dubas.