It was a consequential day in Pittsburgh Penguins history. Perhaps in 10 years, no one will remember an introductory press conference with the Hoffmann family, who took control of the franchise on Thursday. And it’s unlikely people will remember the Penguins trade which followed shortly afterward, but the totality of the day will be the underpinnings of a new Penguins era.
The Hoffman family, with father David flanking the brothers Geoff and Greg, held a largely successful press conference in the morning. The idea was for David and Greg to be there for some face time, with team governor Geoff Hoffman answering questions, but it was not too long before David began lobbing a few answers from the side and became an integral part of the show.
David and Geoff were nearly perfect in their responses (Greg didn’t speak), but the success came not from superior wording or turns of phrase but from the authenticity. With one exception, the answers were straight and direct, without a defensive or superior undertone that can be present in such events.
“This is not an investment for us, as you think about a financial investment. This is a commitment to a city, it’s a commitment to an organization,” Geoff Hoffmann said. “The Penguins are going to be in Pittsburgh, and always going to be in Pittsburgh, as long as the Hoffmanns are part of it. And the Hoffmans plan to be a part of this for generations to come.”
The overwhelming sense is that Hoffmann didn’t just say the right things; they communicated the right things, especially for Pittsburgh, a city with long-defined provincial pride balanced with rigid humility.
One of the more surprising moments emanated from David Hoffmann and his unsolicited critique of the hotel situation in Pittsburgh, as he essentially downgraded the hotels in the city before expressing a desire to build a better one. With a new amphitheater beside PPG Paints Arena about to become another concert venue in this city, another hotel or two wouldn’t hurt.
Indeed, the hotel quip was a moment of foreshadowing on the type of owners and business the Hoffmanns have. The Family of Companies is diverse with small and medium sized investitures, and reading between the lines, it would seem the group has plans to use the Penguins to grow their footprint in the city, but also their list of companies and properties.
Quite frankly, the family came off as quite likable and trustworthy. There’s no guarantee they will do a good job, and Geoff Hoffmann did leave a bit of wiggle room on the question of whether the Penguins will spend to the salary cap as it spikes, but honesty and transparency count. FSG had zero accountability or connection because they didn’t care enough to be present for fans or the organization in any permanent fashion.
From moving to Pittsburgh to holding a presser on the day they took over, the Hoffmanns are all in on the Penguins. This is not just their biggest asset, but it’s now THE asset.
A Minor League Mistake?
No, David Hoffmann’s possible misstep came at the end of the presser when he firmly answered the possibility of switching the Penguins’ ECHL affiliation from the Wheeling Nailers to the Florida Everblades.
“100% I think they would run me out of Naples if they’re not (the new affiliate),” said D. Hoffman. “We already have people wearing Penguins jerseys at our games, so I think with high expectation levels, that’s going to happen. We want to do that.”
Of course, the Hoffmanns own the Everblades, and their soft spot–especially David Hoffmann’s–for the franchise was genuine, but there was immediate outcry from Wheeling and spreading west. The relationship between the Penguins and Wheeling is several decades long, beginning in 1998. There has not been a longer relationship between an ECHL and NHL team.
There is already a Facebook page promoting a protest at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday.
With respect to the Hoffmanns’ sentimentality for their franchise, it would complicate the Penguins’ minor league operations. There are often call-ups and demotions between the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Wheeling, and they often occur on a game day. A quick check of commercial flights shows very few flights from southern Florida to Scranton, and only early morning options.
There are more options to get players from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to Philly, and then a two or three-hour drive north to Wilkes-Barre, but convenient it is not, and it would be doubly taxing on game days. Other teams have similarly incongruent ECHL relationships, but it’s inconvenient.
There is also the matter of the Wheeling fanbase remaining loyal to the Penguins, and Penguins fans who enjoy the quick ride to Wheeling for a weekend game. The Penguins’ affiliation extends the fanbase into West Virginia and eastern Ohio, encroaching on territory that otherwise might belong to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It’s probably going to happen, and it won’t affect most fans. Hoffmann money, Hoffmann rules. But it would also be a misstep very early in their tenure that turns off a small swath of fans.
The Trade
This space has learned to criticize general manager Kyle Dubas at our peril, at least when it comes to uncovering underused talent. See also: Parker Wotherspoon and Justin Brazeau. Thursday, the Penguins acquired Hendrix Lapierre from the Washington Capitals for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder (San Jose).
On paper, it’s an awkward trade. Lapierre is a center and was drafted 22nd overall in 2020 with playmaking and offensive hopes, but has merely 47 points in his first 158 NHL games. He neither registered many hits in his first three seasons (88 total) nor many blocks (22).
With Washington, he averaged less than nine minutes per game in 74 games last season.
So, what’s the plan? Teams don’t generally give up a pair of picks for a player ticketed for the AHL. His style does not make him a Noel Acciari fourth-line replacement, and he would not appear to be a center capable of unseating any of the Penguins’ top five pivots. Had Dubas not submitted a near-perfect run over the last 18 months, there would be some soft criticism befitting a deal involving mid-round picks.
Instead, we’re wondering–what did Dubas and staff see?
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