Ron Hextall doesn't know whether he'll be able to keep the core of the Penguins' roster intact after this season.
However, he made it clear Thursday, one day after reaching agreement on a two-year contract with 37-year-old center Jeff Carter, that that is his objective, at least for now.
Even as he acknowledged that doing so might not turn out to be realistic.
"They certainly proved to us that this is a group that wants to move forward and wants to try to win," Hextall said after the Penguins' optional game-day skate at PPG Paints. "That's where we're at right now. I like our group. I think our record (27-10-5) speaks for itself, and we'd like to sign some of our (unrestricted free-agents-to-be), so they're going to have to, obviously, work with us.
"Certain players, if they want the most money, they're probably going to go elsewhere. But I think you could say that about every team. So we're hoping our guys are comfortable here -- which I believe they are -- and hopefully, we can find a deal that satisfies both sides."
Hextall's most pressing challenges in negotiations will be working out deals with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, both of whom can become unrestricted free agents this summer. Given that the Penguins have limited salary-cap space with which to work and a large number of prospective UFAs, there are some tough decisions -- and negotiations -- in Hextall's future.
"Certainly, (Malkin and Letang) are a top priority for us," he said. "We have a limited amount of cap space. To squeeze everybody in is certainly our goal. Whether it's possible or not, I don't know. With ever player, you have a certain number that you feel like you can go to, and that's where you draw the line."
The talks with Malkin and Letang -- Hextall confirmed that he's had "discussions" with the representatives of both -- figure to be more protracted than those he had with Carter's agent, Rick Curran.
Although Hextall reached out to Curran several months ago to gauge Carter's interest in re-signing here, he said that "probably the last week or so, it got serious. And then it actually came together pretty quickly."
Carter, who has 12 goals and 14 assists in 36 games as the Penguins prepare to face the Kraken tonight at 7:08 at PPG Paints Arena, was acquired from the Kings at the trade deadline in 2021. Hextall doesn't seem to be anticipating a move of that magnitude before the March 21 deadline this year, although injuries and other variables can cause a front office to rethink its plans.
"We seem to have a really good chemistry this year," Hextall said. "I feel pretty comfortable right now with our team, and our depth, but certainly, as we get toward the deadline, you refine things and see which way things go."
MORE FROM THE SKATE
• Hextall praised Patrik Allvin, his former assistant who was named GM in Vancouver this week, describing him as "my right-hand man." Hextall added, however that he has not begun to assemble a list of candidates to replace him, and that he doesn't plan to do so until the Penguins finish with the pro-scouting meetings that are now in progress. The Penguins are not expected to settle on someone to move into Allvin's role in the near future.
• Tristan Jarry will be in goal against Seattle, Sullivan said.
• Mike Sullivan, on how his defense, which is not particularly physical, has adapted to the NHL's crackdown on cross-checking this season: "I think it's a good thing for the league, and I do think it's a good thing for our team, in particular, just by the makeup of our group." he said. Sullivan noted that players still can push opponents with their stick if they keep it at hip-level, that referees "still allow that belligerence at the net-front."
• Hextall expressed confidence in backup goalie Casey DeSmith, who is having a mostly difficult and disappointing season. "I think Casey's very capable," he said. "He played terrific for us last year. ... We believe in Casey. We're looking forward to Casey getting back to the level he's capable of playing at."
• Only eight players participated in the skate: Radim Zohorna, Mark Friedman, Marcus Pettersson, Mike Matheson, Dominik Simon, Chad Ruhwedel, Malkin and DeSmith.
• Former Penguins center Matt Cullen, currently on their player-development staff, was on the ice for the second day in a row.
