Penguins Update: Liking What I See from Hextall

It’s way early yet. There’s a long, hot summer ahead and our favorite hockey team has a lot of holes to fill. And only $15 million in change with which to do it.

So far, I like what I’m seeing from Ron Hextall.

Aside from embattled Minnesota GM Bill Guerin, I’d be hard pressed to think of a general manager who’s facing a more daunting set of challenges. Indeed, Hextall’s tasked with rebuilding a fading former champion. On the fly without sacrificing the future. And signing franchise icons Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin to new deals without breaking the bank while fleshing out a competitive team.

Oh, and restocking the team’s barren prospect pool without the benefit of prime draft picks. All the…