Mark Madden stories, Page 39
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Saving Robert Morris hockey worthy idea but unrealistic to sustain
Dropping hockey was a bad decision by Robert Morris, especially the timetable. But now good effort is being wasted after that bad decision. The attempt is being made to revive the RMU men’s and women’s hockey teams via fundraising. That’s going to have to be one heck of a bake...
Mark Madden: Penguins’ protected list should leave out Jared McCann, Marcus Pettersson
The Penguins’ protected list for Wednesday’s expansion draft seems fairly straightforward. They will protect seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie. They should be: Forwards — Teddy Blueger, Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Kasperi Kapanen, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Brandon Tanev. Defensemen — Brian Dumoulin, Kris Letang, Mike Matheson. Goalie —...
Mark Madden: Sports are important, even in wake of unacceptable fan behavior
“Sports aren’t that important.” We cling to those words, or some approximation, when the aftermath of a game turns ugly. The latest catalyst for turning to these words of wisdom is England’s loss to Italy on penalty kicks in the final of soccer’s European Championships. Three Black players missed PKs...
Mark Madden: NBC offered individual brilliance, but NHL broadcasting run failed to generate buzz
It was laughable when NBC took a sentimental bow at the end of its 16-year run as the NHL’s broadcast partner. It was understandable from the viewpoint of those who toiled for NBC in the production thereof. Eddie Olczyk teared up. He did a great job. He’s also going to...
Mark Madden: Harshest critics of Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger might be right
Former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum doesn’t think Ben Roethlisberger is going to have a good season. Quite the opposite, in fact: “(Roethlisberger) is going to be bad, and I expect him to be benched by the middle of the season. He’s had a great career. It’s over.” Tannenbaum,...
Mark Madden: Sizing up Penguins, Lightning back-to-back Stanley Cup teams
Tampa Bay has won the Stanley Cup a second straight time, like the Penguins did in 2016 and ’17. You can compare the teams, but the accomplishment is exactly the same. Penguins fans grouse that Tampa Bay cheated the salary cap because winger Nikita Kucherov didn’t play during the regular...
Mark Madden: These 3 players might be able to save Steelers from mediocrity
The team-friendly media that covers the Steelers does its best to manufacture optimism despite many signs pointing to a 2021 season that figures to be subpar at best. But I’m creative. So, I’m trying my hand at stooging. Here are three factors that could weigh in the Steelers’ favor: •...
Mark Madden: U.S. sprinter who failed pot test has no one to blame but herself
America celebrated its independence Sunday. Celebrate again with refreshing sports notes. What is our most patriotic sports moment? It’s got to be the Miracle on Ice in 1980 or Kurt Angle winning Olympic wrestling gold in 1996. Only one was accomplished with a broken freakin’ neck. • U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: If Vegas won’t trade Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins should pursue his teammate
When the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Sidney Crosby in 2005, it wasn’t long before the future became now. It’s been the case ever since. But the Penguins have never been more about right now, than right now. The word is that the Penguins won’t burn it down. Won’t rebuild. Why should...
Mark Madden: In baseball, risk management trumps magic moments
It’s lucky that pitch count wasn’t a thing in 1956. No one would remember Don Larsen. Larsen pitched a perfect game in the ’56 World Series. It remains the only perfect game in World Series (and MLB postseason) history. The New York Yankees right-hander threw 97 pitches. He went through...
Mark Madden: From Pine-Richland to Robert Morris, fighting the power is futile
Pine-Richland school district fired Eric Kasperowicz as its high school football coach almost three months ago. Kasperowicz won four WPIAL championships and two state titles in eight seasons as Pine-Richland coach. The excuse for his dismissal was vague, inexact hazing allegations. Personal resentment of Kasperowicz by certain Pine-Richland administrators seems...
Mark Madden: Bad offensive line might sink Steelers
There’s no Madden Markdown when it comes to refreshing sports notes. You pay full price, but get maximum value. • Trai Turner being signed to patchwork the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line is like slapping a butterfly stitch on a shotgun wound. Pro Football Focus: “Turner (was) the lowest-graded right guard...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Bringing back Marc-Andre Fleury would transform the Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins will not rebuild. That will be evident when they extend the contracts of defenseman Kris Letang and center Evgeni Malkin this offseason barring squabbles over price. The Penguins will not get appreciably bigger and tougher. The components aren’t available. Winger Jake Guentzel couldn’t be traded even-up for,...
Mark Madden: Losing David DeCastro has end-of-an-era vibe for Steelers
David DeCastro’s release has Pittsburgh Steelers fans looking forward and backward. Neither view is appetizing. In a little more than a year, the Steelers lost their entire starting offensive line: DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva are all ex- of this parish. Replacing them is a...
Mark Madden: Playoff hockey is tense but needs more excitement to draw casual fans
Forgive the melodrama, but the ongoing Stanley Cup semifinals are a battle for hockey’s soul. Two of the teams have major talent. They play the game the right way, as I’ve heard it said. Their opponents are of lesser (but still considerable) talent. They do everything possible to slow the...
Mark Madden: Beware of goaltenders handling pucks
The value of a goaltender’s puckhandling seems overrated in the NHL, and horribly so. It provides value but gets goalies in a lot of jams. Tristan Jarry’s puckhandling was supposed be a strength. But we all remember how Game 5 against the New York Islanders turned out. Tom Barrasso’s puckhandling...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Want to be popular? Offer to buy the Pirates
I’m putting together a group to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates. We will bring back the Bulls, Condors, Crawfords, Hardhats, Forge, Maulers, Phantoms, Power, Spirit and Triangles, too. (That’s indoor lacrosse, pro basketball, Negro League baseball, softball, junior hockey, football, roller hockey, arena football, indoor soccer and team tennis.) Robert Morris...
Mark Madden: Cheating can’t become an accepted part of baseball
Plenty of dumb stuff has been said by pitchers since MLB decided to crack down on the use of foreign substances to improve grip. Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees (and formerly of this parish) seemed to be nearing a breakdown when he spoke Wednesday after pitching: “It’s so...
Mark Madden: Steelers OC Matt Canada’s real changes will start with Ben Roethlisberger’s successor
Matt Canada is the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator — kind of. If there was any doubt regarding who’s the real boss, Canada erased that Tuesday when he said, “We are going to do what Ben (Roethlisberger) wants to do and how he wants to do it.” Meet the new bobo....
Mark Madden: Jenn Sterger deserves a chance with NFL Network
Jenn (Sterger) Decker is back in the news. That’s a shame because it means the problem isn’t solved. Sterger had indecent proposals and photos texted to her by Brett Favre in 2008 when both were employed by the New York Jets: Favre as a quarterback, Sterger as their game day...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Marc-Andre Fleury’s story keeps getting better … just not in Pittsburgh
Marc-Andre Fleury got Vegas past Colorado in the NHL playoffs’ second round. The Golden Knights face Montreal next. Fleury goes home. He very likely will eliminate the Canadiens. The story gets better and better. Just not in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ goaltending has gotten worse since the day Fleury went...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby not being among Hart Trophy finalists shows criteria are skewed
Sidney Crosby had little chance to win the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. He finished 10th in points with 62 in 55 games, a whopping 43 behind scoring champ Connor McDavid of Edmonton. But Crosby isn’t even a finalist. In the era of 200-foot hockey, Crosby is the best 200-foot...
Mark Madden: Ben Roethlisberger must risk more for Steelers offense to reap rewards
Matt Canada is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator. He served as the quarterbacks coach last season. Canada was supposed to have influence on the offense then. If he did, it was negligible. But now Canada is in charge. Or maybe he’s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s new bobo. Canada’s offense features...
Mark Madden: Penguins should see how Evgeni Malkin recovers before considering contract extension
Evgeni Malkin participated in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff series vs. the New York Islanders despite a severe injury to his right knee. It required major surgery. Malkin’s availability for the start of training camp (and perhaps the start of the season) is in doubt. Malkin deserves credit for gutting it...
Mark Madden Hot Take: There’s an obvious choice to replace Tunch Ilkin in Steelers booth
Tunch Ilkin became a Steeler in 1980 and will never stop being one. His playing days ended in 1993, and he just retired from broadcasting, but Ilkin is as black and gold as any Rooney. Ilkin has been a faithful servant and supporter of the cause. More important, he is...
