Penguins general manager Ron Hextall weighs in on Rangers' hit on forward Sidney Crosby
During his season-ending media availability in Cranberry on Monday, Penguins general manager Ron Hextall was asked about a suspected head injury suffered by forward Sidney Crosby during Game 5 of a first-round series against the New York Rangers on May 11.
In the second period of that contest, Crosby was struck by a high hit from Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba and left the contest, then was held out of Game 6 of the series as well.
Earlier in Game 5, Trouba was assessed a penalty for elbowing Penguins forward Jake Guentzel on the first shift of the game.
Hextall suggested Trouba’s actions were not accidental.
“Remember the first shift of (Game 5)?” Hextall asked rhetorically. “Jake there, I felt like that one was pretty bad. I felt like there was some intent there. Sid’s, I think there was intent. And I think it’s arguable whether there was intent to injure or it was just intent to not let him get to the net. But it’s certainly unfortunate.
“The head shots, I believe we as a league have to continue to talk and evaluate where we are with head shots. Because it’s an issue that’s prevalent in sports and we need to continue to move forward and try to better our system where we try to get them out as much as possible. Hopefully, at some point, completely out.”
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