Penguins Conduct Second GM Interview With Ron Hextall

The Pittsburgh Penguins just might be closing in on hiring a general manager, and the lead candidate is a well-known hockey name.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Penguins have conducted a second interview with Ron Hextall for the GM post. The Penguins are looking to replace Jim Rutherford, who unexpectedly resigned two weeks ago.

Hextall, 56, is one of the NHL's all-time greats as a goalie. He spent 13 seasons in the NHL, playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques and New York Islanders, before retiring in 1999. His most notable seasons came with the Flyers.

He has been working in front office ever since, with a stretch as Flyers GM from 2014-18. He was then fired by the Flyers and has been serving in an advisory role with the Los Angeles Kings.

"The Penguins’ new GM won’t be able to truly institute his structure till season’s end," wrote Mark Madden for TribLive. People he wants to hire may not be available. He’s assuming Jim Rutherford’s team and vision. If the Penguins hire a GM now, he essentially will be his own interim GM till season’s end."