Penguins Update: Hextall Filling in the Blanks

It wasn’t all that long ago that the Penguins’ farm system was virtually bankrupt of young talent. An unfortunate consequence of winning three Stanley Cups, qualifying for the postseason 16 years in a row and picking from comparatively low draft slots. Not to mention trading away an astounding eight first-round picks and nine second-round picks over that span.

Small wonder the Pens’ prospect pipeline was ranked 30th out of 32 teams, ahead of only Tampa Bay and Boston, according to a recent article by Corey Pronman of The Athletic.

But hold the phone. In his quiet, deliberate way, GM Ron Hextall has slowly but surely been working to restock the cupboard. No, there aren’t any future Sidney…