If the Pittsburgh Penguins make the playoffs, they lose in the first round.

It’s hard to imagine GM Ron Hextall keeping his job if that’s the case, especially given Hextall’s pronounced role in creating the team’s current state.

It’s not all Hextall’s fault: The decision to age out with the core three was made long before Hextall re-signed Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang to extensions this past offseason. Old teams don’t win, but the Penguins decided to go that route anyway.

If a different path was to be navigated, that needed to start in 2018 or ’19. After that, it was too late.

Hextall has failed via terrible cap management, a fistful of awful contracts and poor team assembly around Sidney Crosby, Malkin and Letang. (As often noted in this space, those three are doing their part.)

Hextall was given the unfair mandate of rebuilding and contending at the same time. But he’s hurt the cause of both. Hextall has got to go.

Is it too early to think about Hextall’s replacement?

Not for me. In fact, I’m putting my plan on paper.

Stan Bowman would be a great choice. But the ex-Chicago GM seems canceled from hockey indefinitely because of a sexual assault scandal that occurred within the Blackhawks organization on his watch. Bowman won three Stanley Cups with Chicago.

So, let’s root for Toronto to lose in their first playoff round like it’s done for six straight seasons.

Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is in the last year of his contract. He almost certainly would not be retained. Then the Penguins could hire him.

Dubas is a modern-era analytics expert with a tireless work ethic and a knack for effectively utilizing overlooked talent. He doesn’t give out bad contracts. He’s a “Moneyball” type.

Dubas is everything Hextall isn’t.

Dubas has done fine in Toronto given that fan base’s massive expectations, the attendant pressure and competing in a currently loaded Atlantic Division.

The Penguins soon will face a massive rebuild. Dubas could handle it. He’d have a plan. He’s the ideal GM moving forward.

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