Huge feud erupts in Pittsburgh because of potential blockbuster trade

The Pittsburgh Penguins fanbase sent a pretty clear message on Thursday night as the local team suffered a humiliating 7-2 loss at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. “Fire Hextall!”

After the game, head coach Mike Sullivan appeared to throw some shade himself at GM Hextall, saying “our roster is our roster. We have what we have.”

It converges with what insider Rob Rossi of the Athletic reports, claiming that Sullivan “wants Hextall to trade for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, but Hextall has balked at a potential deal because the Coyotes have asked the Penguins to include 2025 and 2026 first-round draft choices as part of any package, according to two team sources briefed on Hextall’s thinking.”

Hextall reportedly prefers “not surrender any future first-round picks in potential moves before or at the trade deadline.”

Chychrun is one of the most coveted baits on the trade market this season. Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest reported earlier this week that Arizona’s asking price for Chychrun remains at two first-round picks or a first-round pick and a top prospect. The blue liner is signed for two more seasons at a $4.6 million cap hit.

Chychrun has been out of the lineup since Feb. 10 as he continues to be scratched for “trade-related reasons.”
But it sounds like Hextall will leave him out of his roster too despite coach Sullivan calling for Chychrun to be acquired…

Recommended articles:

• Penguins beg Blackhawks for help in potential trade
• Coach Sullivan throws GM Hextall under the bus after brutal loss
• Angry Penguins fans chant 'FIRE HEXTALL' during blowout loss to Oilers
• Sidney Crosby, Mike Sullivan call out Penguins
• 2nd move in less than a year for Jeff Petry as surprise trade emerges?!