Mark Madden: Penguins GM Ron Hextall hasn't done anything to lose his job or to keep it

If my program director asks me what’s on today’s show, I tell him.

When the home-plate umpire asks a manager for the lineup card, he can’t decline.

A chef submits a menu. A football coach designs a playbook. A movie producer needs a script. These are requirements and not kept secret in somebody’s head.

Fenway Sports Group owns the Penguins. FSG asked GM Ron Hextall to submit his plan for the team. He initially refused, saying it was in his head.

That’s not good, or how it works.

FSG insisted. Hextall complied.

But it makes you wonder how organized Hextall’s plan was at that point, or if he had one.

Since Hextall was hired in February 2021, it’s been tough to spot much of a plan. The Penguins have barely changed.

Being a midseason replacement isn’t easy. Hextall was plagued by salary cap issues upon arrival, and those have not eased until, potentially, this offseason. Hextall was also asked to rebuild and contend at the same time, a difficult task.

But Hextall had an unimpressive resume in the first place. He’d been GM once before, with Philadelphia from 2014-18. During Hextall’s tenure, the Flyers missed the playoffs twice and lost in the first round twice.

Flyers legend Bobby Clarke spoke critically of Hextall’s work in Philadelphia, questioning Hextall’s draft picks and trades. He also dragged Hextall’s method.

“He alienated everybody right away,” Clarke said. “He shut his door. He locked the doors. He was the boss, so nobody else was a part of it.”

Hextall emits a vibe that’s either antisocial or agoraphobic. The clearest duty performed by president of hockey ops Brian Burke is to shield Hextall from talking to people.

Hextall helped Los Angeles win a Stanley Cup in 2012, serving as assistant GM. His work with the Kings was highly praised. But maybe Hextall isn’t cut out for the top spot.

Hextall hasn’t made many moves of note since becoming the Penguins GM. As noted, he has been limited by the Penguins being tight against the cap.

But Hextall’s decision to extend Jeff Carter’s contract in January stands out as quirky. Carter, 37, signed for $6.25 million over two more years.

Hextall knew Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust were in the last season of their contracts. Money given to Carter is less money available to retain them. Why would Hextall sign an elderly third-line center with the futures of more important players yet to be determined?

If it had already been decided that Malkin, Letang and Rust will be departing, then the Penguins are in rebuilding mode and don’t need a 37-year-old center.

If Malkin comes back, then the Penguins start next season with centers who are 37, 36 and 35 years old. That doesn’t exactly tie into coach Mike Sullivan’s preferred speed game.

It speaks to Hextall having no plan or a flawed plan.

Perhaps it speaks to Hextall doing a buddy a favor. Hextall and Carter were both with the Kings at the same time.

If that’s inferring too much, that’s what happens when there’s no logical reason.

FSG targets elite management. By their standard, Hextall isn’t good enough. He has not done anything to lose his job. But he’s not done anything to keep it.

Hextall’s initial refusal to submit his plan was like something you’d see on “The Office.” Maybe Will Arnett could be the Penguins’ next GM.