Pens Offer GM Position To Former Rival; Vet Executive Pegged For President

The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly interested in hiring a former division rival as their next general manager and a veteran executive as their next team president.

Former Philadelphia Flyers general manager and goaltender Ron Hextall is expected to fill the Pens' vacant general manager position, while brining along former NHL executive and current broadcaster Brian Burke as the franchise's new president.

TSN hockey reporter Frank Seravalli reports the Penguins offered the general manager position to Hextall at some point prior to Tuesday (February 9) afternoon.

"Ron Hextall has been offered the GM job of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Two sides are talking numbers at this point, but it’s possible that a handshake agreement is in place as soon as today," Seravalli reports.

Sportsnet and NHL Network reporter Elliotte Friedman reports the two sides are negotiating on a deal and participated in multiple interviews this week.

"Ron Hextall had second interview in PIT," Friedman tweeted. "We will see where this week takes us."

Hextall last worked as a general manager for the Flyers from 2014-18 and had previously served as an assistant general manager and director of hockey operations during the 2013-14 season.

Friedman also reports Burke -- who is currently a colleague of Friedman's for Rogers Media -- is also expected to be hired as the Penguins' team president.

"Well this is something. Hearing Brian Burke will join Ron Hextall in PIT. Burke as president of Hockey Ops; Hextall as GM Going to miss this teammate, loved working with you Burkie," Friedman tweeted.

Burke had most recently worked as the president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames from 2013-18 after previously serving as president and general manager for the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks, which included a Stanley Cup championship in 2007.

The Penguins have had a vacancy at the general manager position since Jim Rutherford resigned nearly two weeks ago.

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