Pittsburgh Penguins: 'We would like to improve, but…' – Ron Hextall

BETTING À DAY

Understanding the inconsistency of his Pittsburgh Penguins this season, general manager Ron Hextall is willing to try to improve his club, but he won't make a trade at any cost.

The Penguins have been in the playoffs for the past 16 seasons and are second among teams drafted in the Eastern Conference. The Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Florida Panthers, however, were all in ambush with three points or less on Monday.

Certainly, star players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin , Jake Guentzel and Kristopher Letang perform up to expectations. The rest of the formation, however, has some scabs to eat if the Pennsylvania formation wishes to extend its season.

“I think our team has been really inconsistent this year,” Hextall said from the start on Sunday, according to comments reported by the official website of the National Hockey League [NHL]. I think we had moments where we were very good. I think we had moments where we weren't very good.”

“I think it reflects a lot of players on our team. We will look for more consistency from now on individually, at all levels. […] I believe that some of our support players need to be better at times and we certainly expect them to be.”

Caution

The trade deadline is fast approaching and could allow the former Philadelphia Flyers guard to bring in reinforcements. However, he will be very careful, refusing to conclude a trade simply for the pleasure of doing so.

“It's really dangerous to feel pressured into a deal because, quite frankly, looking at history, all of a sudden you're making a bad deal,” he warned. We are not going to close a deal and rush a bad trade. We're going to do a trade because we feel like it makes our team better.”

“I think now our goal is to have the best team possible this year without messing up for the future.”

According to Hextall, the solution can certainly be found internally. He may be a bit lacking in chemistry, but in his eyes, the team has the necessary pieces to progress.

“We would like to improve. Sometimes to improve would be to make a gesture which corresponds perhaps better to what we have. When I look at our team on paper, I love it. When I look at some of the plays and results, I don't like it that much.”

The Penguins return to action on Tuesday when they host the Colorado Avalanche.