I’m sure I’ve complained about the lack of evening options in Pittsburgh, but seriously, when did this town become a sleepy Burrough that rolls up the sidewalks in the evening? The arts festival was closed up by 7 p.m., and the symphony stopped playing shortly afterward.
But activity beyond a Pirates or Penguins game would be incredibly welcome.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It was a conversation that happened after the WPXI cameras stopped rolling that started my wheels turning. We discussed coach Mike Sullivan, and in the process, a greater context than I previously realized emerged. It’s a perfect catch-22 for the Penguins bench.
Here’s part of WPXI’s Final Word, where we debated whether the Penguins need urgency or patience and my call for lawyers to do something good for the city regarding the Pirates. The debate was pretty good sports TV.
**I’m going to put out the Q&A call on X/Twitter today. I’m just starting the NHL draft work and digging deeper into free agency. You can send your submissions via the comments below or my X timeline.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Oh boy. Of all teams and players, it’s Tucpita Marcano who is facing baseball’s first lifetime ban since Pete Rose in 1989 for betting on baseball, and he did so as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
I’m guessing he didn’t bet them to win.
NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
The Athletic ($): Mitch Marner anti-trade talk. Management for the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers isn’t looking ahead to the offseason despite the mere days between the end of the coming Cup Final and free agency. Pierre LeBrun reports that Carolina’s efforts to re-sign Jake Guentzel didn’t work, and the player is going to test the UFA waters.
No, the Penguins are not a front-runner to sign him, but it does make me tilt my head that many fans get mad about the Penguins having so many players in their mid-30s but want to sign Guentzel to a contract that would pay him into his late 30s.
NY Post: The trade speculation is beginning on Broadway. Would the New York Rangers trade Jacob Trouba? Should they deal Kaapo Kakko? It was another so-close run for the Rangers, who will need some cap space to get goalie Igor Shesterkin under contract. So who goes?
Philly Hockey Now: Sources tell our Jon Bailey that there is internal optimism the Philly Flyers will get Travis Konecny’s name on a contract soon after July 1. But it must be a smart deal for the Flyers cap situation.
Sportsnet: After being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers and having a roster with several aging veterans, the Dallas Stars face plenty of trade rumors and roster questions. What will come next for a team that has been a near-annual participant in the Western Conference Final but has no Stanley Cups to show for it?
NYI Hockey Now: Russell Macias is hard at work establishing himself in the Islanders media. Our newest beat writer put the pending unrestricted free agents under the microscope. Changes and re-signing. Who is worth the cost for the New York Islanders?
