FSG Wants to Build Forward-Thinking, Proactive Hockey Operations Machine

It hasn't been a great day for hockey, to say the least.
For the first time since 2006, Pittsburgh isn't preparing for the playoffs following their regular-season finale, which took place last night in Columbus… and this morning, the Fenway Sports Group announced that the Penguins had relieved President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, General Manager Ron Hextall and Assistant General Manager Chris Pryor of their duties (full details here).

Penguins President of Business Operations Kevin Acklin and Co-Head of Fenway Sports Management and Pittsburgh Penguins Alternate Governor Dave Beeston (pictured above) met with the media this afternoon to discuss the changes to hockey operations and more. Here are the biggest takeaways from what they had to say.

First, a little background
Hextall and Burke had gotten hired by the Penguins' previous ownership group, Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux, after Jim Rutherford resigned as general manager for personal reasons in January of 2021.
Fenway Sports Group - who also owns the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club - then entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the Penguins in November of that year, which means this was their first full season with the team.
Acklin said the team's current ownership group is intensely involved, with FSG Principal Owner John Henry and Chairman Tom Werner responsible for oversight of the Penguins on both the sports and business sides, and Beeston shouldering a more hands-on role working with the entire team in Pittsburgh and attending most of the games.
"FSG's attraction to the Penguins was, and remains, the incredibly rich history of championships, and the amazing fan base in the city of Pittsburgh," Beeston said. "Our goal is to compete for the Stanley Cup every year. We believe deeply in this core, and are disappointed that our season isn't continuing.
"While a decision was made to part ways with Brian, Ron and Chris, the responsibility for our results does not fall solely on them. John Henry, Tom Werner, myself, Mike Sullivan, and all of our players and staff are responsible for how the season ended. We're a team, and our successes and failures come as a team. Looking forward, we are excited and optimistic about the future."
Now, the search for a new hockey operations leader begins immediately - and it will be a robust process
Beeston said the timeline for finding a replacement will be as soon as possible, without rushing it. They want to make sure the right person is in place, and that they run a thorough process - all while keeping in mind that the 2023 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 28-29 in Nashville.
"I have confidence in this ownership team that we're going to run a process that's going to put forth the best candidate who can help us win next year, because that's what matters," Acklin said. "Hopefully, we can find a great partner who can help give the city, again, the type of team that it deserves."
At the moment, Beeston said there's a clean slate. No one has been pre-identified, and they'll soon begin identifying specific traits and characteristics they would like to see from potential candidates.
When asked if FSG would prefer those candidates to be from the hockey community, or if they're open to bringing in someone from the outside, Beeston said there's no limit to what they're considering right now. What they do know is that they want to be forward thinking, and they want to be proactive.
"We'll get to work immediately on building a hockey operations department that can match our ambition - one that is best in class, and provides our staff and players with opportunities for success on a daily basis," Beeston said.
There are no parameters or set format for the how the hockey operations structure will come together
Beeston said one thing FSG has learned from all of its endeavors within professional sports is that running a team is not a one-person or two-person job. "They are entire department-wide," he said.
So, whether this process ends up being FSG hiring a president to come in and find a general manager; FSG hiring a president and a GM at the same time; or some other scenario … there are currently no parameters or set format in mind.
"What we're focused on building is a hockey operations machine. And suddenly, they can build on what we've already got, which is exceptional - and improve it," Beeston said.
The new hockey operations leader will be in charge of evaluating the coaching staff
Beeston was asked about Sullivan's future, and if he is expected to remain the head coach next season.
"I think the answer that is we think Mike Sullivan is one of the best coaches in the NHL. He was extended last season," he said. "Once we bring in a new hockey operations leader, he or she will be responsible for evaluating the coaching staff. We think Mike is terrific and we think his whole staff is terrific."
Right now, Sullivan will be assisting during this transition, with the managerial duties of hockey operations shared among current Director of Hockey Operations Alec Schall, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton General Manager/Manager of Hockey Operations Erik Heasley, and Hockey Operations Analyst Andy Saucier.
This will come as no surprise to anyone, but Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux are incredibly important to the Penguins, and to FSG
Under FSG, the Penguins signed Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang to long-term extensions so that they could remain here and compete for championships with their teammate and friend, Sidney Crosby.
His contract runs through the 2024-25 season, and Beeston said it's very important to the current ownership group that the captain never plays a game in another uniform other than the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It's been said that no athlete in the history of professional sports means more to a franchise than Mario Lemieux does to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who remains a minority owner after he and Ron Burkle sold the team to FSG. "He's responsible for this franchise being in Pittsburgh," Beeston said.
While Lemieux maybe hasn't been as visible around the team as he's been in years past, "he has been living and breathing the Pittsburgh Penguins for 35 years, and I think he was very much entitled to a year where maybe he wasn't around as much," Beeston said.
Acklin, who spoke to Lemieux after the news broke, agreed. "He still cares about the team, and obviously we'd love to see more of him at the arena, and that's something that we'll keep engaging with him over time."