Former Penguins general manager Tony Esposito passed away yesterday at the age of 78 following a brief bout with pancreatic cancer.
His term at the Pens’ helm was brief…only 20 months…and somewhat turbulent. Nor does Esposito necessarily get the credit he deserves, perhaps due to the fact that he bumped aside (some might say stepped on) the popular Eddie Johnston on his way to claiming the Pens’ job.
A former All-Star goalie and at the time future Hall-of-Famer, Esposito had made a favorable impression on the DeBartolo family, who owned the Pens back in the ‘80s.