Chris Adamski stories, Page 107
After uneven start to season, Kasperi Kapanen fits in on, off ice with Penguins
In the aftermath of a meek, unique playoff flameout — bowing out in four games against the No. 24 overall seed in the 2020 Toronto “bubble” — there was a school of thought that there could be major changes for the Pittsburgh Penguins. But with the franchise set to open...
2019 series sweep not on mind of Penguins as they prepare for Islanders
It has been 43 days since the Pittsburgh Penguins faced the New York Islanders and 102 days since the teams completed a stretch of six meetings over a span of about three weeks. Then again, it has been 756 days since the longtime division rivals met in the postseason. For...
Penguins to increase capacity for playoff games to 50% at PPG Paints Arena
It has been more than 14 years since the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t sell every ticket available for a game. To keep their sellout streak of more than 600 games alive, they will have a few extra tickets to sell beginning next week. Gov. Tom Wolf announced the state is easing...
Will Penguins have full, injury-free lineup for the playoffs? Indications at practice say so
The Pittsburgh Penguins needed 35 players to make it through their 56-game regular season. At one point, they were down to their 12th defenseman. Other times, four of their top nine forwards were out. But with the postseason about to begin, indications are the Penguins could have the luxury of...
Evgeni Malkin, Tristan Jarry, Mike Matheson among banged-up Penguins who skate Monday
With the start of the postseason looming for the Pittsburgh Penguins, six regular members of the lineup have questions about their injury status. All six hit the ice Monday in Cranberry. Forwards Evgeni Malkin, Brandon Tanev and Evan Rodrigues and defenseman Mike Matheson all took part in an optional skate...
Another strong outing for Wil Crowe, but Pirates’ bats stay cool in loss to Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost another game, but are they gaining themselves another viable starting pitcher? Wil Crowe turned in a third consecutive encouraging start since being put into the rotation, but the offense struggled again in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Crowe allowed six baserunners —...
Pirates notebook: Colin Moran leaves game with groin injury
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Colin Moran left Saturday’s game during the bottom of the first inning because of an injury to his left groin. Moran caught a line drive off the bat of the Chicago Cubs’ Jason Heyward and lunged to attempt a tag on Willson Contreras to double him...
Brandon Tanev practices with Penguins, inches toward return for playoffs
The playing style and on-ice demeanor of Brandon Tanev suggest the appearance of a player who’s difficult to hold back from taking the ice for each shift. Now, imagine keeping Tanev out of games for more than a month. But Tanev’s measured, patient manner — in speaking with media of...
Penguins’ top 2 goalies injured: Tristan Jarry, Casey DeSmith won’t play in finale
The playoffs are about to begin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are experiencing a dearth of healthy, experienced goalies. There is no apparent worry, though, that the relative crisis will carry over into the actual postseason. “Tristan Jarry did not practice today, nor did Casey DeSmith,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said...
Carnegie Mellon seminar to tackle the sweet science of sports analytics
About two decades ago, even the most hardcore baseball fans never had heard of OPS. At that point in time, the concept of an NBA team scoring more points on field goals behind the 3-point line than in front of it? Folly. Back in the olden days of the early...
Jeff Carter has been one of Penguins’ most versatile, effective forwards since his arrival
There were two obvious rationales the Pittsburgh Penguins employed to add Jeff Carter at the trade deadline last month. Each appears to be playing out at or above any organizational expectations. “He’s really fit in nicely,” coach Mike Sullivan said, “ … both in the locker room and on the...
Alejandro Villanueva embraces joining Ravens, takes veiled shot at JuJu Smith-Schuster
As is customary for most NFL teams when their signings in free agency become official, Alejandro Villanueva was made available to the media Wednesday. The veteran left tackle’s comments might raise some eyebrows with the fans and players of his former team. Villanueva joined the Baltimore Ravens for a reported...
NHL suspends Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere for 2 games for late hit on Penguins’ Mark Friedman
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday it was issuing a two-game suspension to Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere for his hit on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Mark Friedman during the previous evening’s game. Gostisbehere was assessed a two-minute penalty for cross-checking after he shoved Friedman moments after Friedman added...
Longtime Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva signs with rival Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ longtime left tackle is staying in the division. Alejandro Villanueva signed a two-year contract with the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens. ESPN and the NFL Network reported the deal was for $8 million guaranteed with up to $14 million in total compensation possible. Villanueva, 32, started each...
Could Shakur Brown or others make an impact? A look at Steelers undrafted free agents
After drafting only six players last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers upped that by 50% in selecting nine players in the 2021 draft. But the draft isn’t the only means of rookie talent acquisition. Like all NFL teams, the Steelers signed undrafted free agents in the minutes and hours after the...
Steelers to reportedly decline 5th-year option on Terrell Edmunds
Last week, word broke that the Pittsburgh Steelers were picking up the fifth-year option on one of their starting safeties. On Monday, it emerged they are not doing so with the other first-round safety from the 2018 draft class. The 2022 team option on Terrell Edmunds will be declined, according...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Georgia Tech P Pressley Harvin III
Pressley Harvin III Seventh-round pick, No.254 overall Punter, Georgia Tech 5-foot-11, 263 pounds Stats: Led the nation and set Georgia Tech and ACC records with a 48.0-yard punting average in 2020 Hometown: Alcolu, S.C. Tidbits: Ray Guy Award winner as college football’s best punter in 2020. Also was a unanimous...
Steelers select Oklahoma ‘Swiss Army Knife’ Tre Norwood with first 7th-round pick
Tre Norwood is listed on the NFL’s official draft website as a cornerback, but when the Pittsburgh Steelers’ official Twitter announced the team picked him in the draft, it labeled Norwood a safety. Coach Mike Tomlin took an entirely different tact yet. When he announced the selection of Norwood with...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Miami OLB Quincy Roche
Quincy Roche Sixth-round pick, No. 216 overall OLB, Miami 6-foot-3, 245 pounds Stats: 45 tackles (14 1/2 for loss, 4 1/2 sacks), three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries as senior in 2020 Hometown: Randallstown, Md. Tidbits: Was a graduate transfer from Temple, where he had 137 tackles (39 1/2 for...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Wisconsin DE Isaiahh Loudermilk
Isaiahh Loudermilk Fifth-round pick, No. 156 overall Defensive end, Wisconsin 6-foot-6, 274 pounds Stats: As a senior in 2020, had 13 tackles, including 2 1/2 for loss with two sacks in six starts. In 2019, had 24 tackles, five for loss with three sacks, five pass breakups and two forced...
New Steelers ILB Buddy Johnson was productive in college, but team likes his tools more
If nothing else was known about an inside linebacker prospect, targeting the one who was the leading tackler on the SEC’s best defense is a pretty good place to start. Not that Buddy Johnson’s new position coach knew his statistical resume. “I don’t look at the production numbers, OK?” Pittsburgh...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Texas A&M OT Dan Moore Jr.
Dan Moore Jr. Fourth-round pick, No. 128 overall Offensive tackle, Texas A&M 6-foot-5 1/2, 311 pounds Stats: Started each of the Aggies’ 36 games at left tackle over the past three seasons, in addition to one start at right tackle as a freshman in 2017. Hometown: Beaumont, Texas Why draft...
Steelers NFL Draft bio in brief: Illinois G/C Kendrick Green
Kendrick Green Third-round pick, No. 87 overall Guard/center, Illinois 6-foot-2, 305 pounds Stats: Started past 33 consecutive college games: four at center, 29 at left guard Hometown: Peoria, Ill. With the 87th pick in the #NFLDraft, we select C Kendrick Green. #SteelersDraft pic.twitter.com/lTrNbJ6S81— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 1, 2021 Tidbits:...
Steelers take Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth with 2nd-round pick
When Pat Freiermuth’s phone rang Friday night, he didn’t know what to think. A New England native whose spent the past three years at Penn State, he’s encountered too many people from Pittsburgh to know exactly which of his buddies to trust. “When I saw that 412 area code, I...
Steelers players react to 1st-round pick Najee Harris
General manager Kevin Colbert said he was “ecstatic” that running back Najee Harris was available when the Pittsburgh Steelers made him their first-round pick late Thursday night. Judging by some of their posts on social media, Harris’ new teammates had similar reactions to adding the national champion from Alabama. Starting...
