Mark Madden: Getting scratched, yelled at doesn’t qualify as ‘abuse’ in NHL
Hockey is a physical, grueling sport. Those who play it are tough. So why do they need a help line? NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recently instituted measures to curb coaching misconduct. Among those measures is a help line that current or former players can use anonymously to report abuse. No...
First call: Goodell on Antonio Brown’s status, Chara fights Wilson, hoops player knocks out ref
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the NFL’s continued attempts to wait out Antonio Brown’s social media insanity. A college basketball player accidentally punches out an official. Le’Veon Bell continues to brag about his second career as a bowler. Lamar Jackson may play against the Jets after all. Tom Wilson fights...
Sharks fire coach Peter DeBoer; ex-Penguin Bob Boughner likely to take over
The slumping San Jose Sharks fired coach Peter DeBoer on Wednesday less than seven months after playing in the Western Conference final. A person with direct knowledge of the move said the team decided to let DeBoer go with the team on a five-game losing streak out five points out...
Dallas Stars fire Jim Montgomery for unprofessional conduct
DALLAS — The Dallas Stars fired second-year coach Jim Montgomery on Tuesday for what the team called unprofessional conduct. General manager Jim Nill said Montgomery had acted inconsistently with “core values and beliefs of the Dallas Stars and the National Hockey League.” He did not elaborate. Nill said he became...
Hershey hockey fans set world record by tossing over 45,000 stuffed animals on iceVideo
If there’s one thing Hershey, Pa., does right it’s … well, it’s chocolate. But followed closely behind that is tossing stuffed animals onto a hockey rink. If you’ve never experienced the Teddy Bear Toss first-hand or even seen it on video, it’s an incredible sight to behold. The idea is...
Father of former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury dies
The father of former Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has died, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday. Vegas Golden Knights beat reporter Ben Gotz reported Andre Fleury passed away Wednesday at age 63. According to Gotz, Marc-Andre Fleury left the Golden Knights’ road trip for Quebec on Tuesday because of...
Flames coach Bill Peters quits; accused of slurs, abuse
Bill Peters resigned as coach of the Calgary Flames on Friday after allegedly making racist slurs at a Nigerian-born player in the minors and kicking and punching players behind the bench during his time with Carolina. General manager Brad Treliving said he received a resignation letter from Peters that wraps...
Bill Peters not with Flames at practice amid allegations of using racial slur
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving says coach Bill Peters remains on the staff but wasn’t certain whether he’d be behind the bench for the next game. The team and the NHL are both investigating an allegation that Peters directed racial slurs at a player 10 years...
First Call: Baker Mayfield’s skills, ruffled Raven, Casey DeSmith highlightsVideo
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at what Baker Mayfield is doing right lately for the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens and Rams weren’t happy with each other after their Monday night game. And Casey DeSmith sparkles in the AHL. Keep an eye on it Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield got...
Underperforming Maple Leafs fire coach Mike Babcock
TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs fired coach Mike Babcock and replaced him with Sheldon Keefe. Babcock had a record of 9-10-4 in 2019-20 for the struggling Leafs, who are 0-5-1 in their last six games, including five straight losses in regulation. Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan flew to Arizona...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s ‘sincere’ apologies shouldn’t stop with Robert KraftVideo
Antonio Brown is clearly trying to worm his way back into the National Football League. Specifically, by trying to get back into the good graces of the New England Patriots and team owner Robert Kraft. Brown posted this… uh… “heartfelt” apology to Robert Kraft for the early season chaos he...
Washington Capitals forward spits on ex-Penguin Erik Gudbranson during fight
WASHINGTON — Just as combatants were being separated in the aftermath of a heated brawl, Erik Gudbranson gave Garnet Hathaway another punch and received something he didn’t expect in return. Hathaway spit on him and was thrown out of a feisty matchup Monday night he and the Washington Capitals won...
First Call: Guess who’s going to Colin Kaepernick’s workout; Antonio Brown a chef?Video
In Thursday’s “First Call,” the Patriots are in on the Colin Kaepernick workout. Antonio Brown has some mad culinary skills. And the Washington Capitals are red hot. Kap and the Pats ‘Pfft! C’mon. Who is really going to be interested in attending Colin Kaepernick’s workout? I mean, after all, he...
Sportsnet fires Don Cherry over controversial comments about immigrantsVideo
Sportsnet has severed ties with longtime “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcaster Don Cherry. On Saturday, the 85-year-old Cherry criticized immigrants in Toronto and Mississauga, Canada, for not honoring veterans and dead soldiers by wearing poppies for Remembrance Day, which was observed Monday. Don Cherry will no longer be on Hockey...
Broadcaster apologizes for Don Cherry’s comments on immigrants
TORONTO — A Canadian broadcast company has apologized for hockey commentator Don Cherry’s remarks about what he believes are new immigrants not honoring the country’s fallen soldiers. The 85-year-old Cherry, who has been criticized in the past for his outspoken conservative politics, seemed to single out new immigrants in Toronto...
World Series-champion Nationals party hard at Capitals gameVideo
The Washington Capitals set the partying precedent for D.C. world champions. You might remember Stanley Cup keg stands and swimming in fountains. Oh my god Alex Ovechkin was doing keg stands out of the Stanley Cup in the middle of Georgetown after throwing out the first pitch at a Nationals...
After beating cancer, ex-Penguins coach Eddie Olczyk continues fight
Eddie Olczyk was ready to give up. The NHL player turned coach turned broadcaster was on his second round of chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer, and the effects were so severe he told his wife, Diana, he couldn’t do it anymore. Diana told her husband to fight for her,...
First Call: Oilers’ James Neal is hot, Colts hurting, plenty of Bryce Harper mockery
Thursday’s “First Call” features another goal for James Neal, news from Indianapolis’ training room, Baker Mayfield avoids a fine, and Bryce Harper mockery. New Look Neal James Neal is heating up again. And just in time for his return to Pittsburgh. The high-scoring winger will join the rest of his...
First Call: Would Steelers trade Artie Burns?; Eddie Olczyk takes a jab at PiratesVideo
In Thursday’s “First Call,” the “Trump Ump” has local ties. Artie Burns is a potential trade target. And even Eddie Olczyk takes a jab at the Pirates during a hockey broadcast. Why bother? NFL.com has a list of trade ideas for each team before the deadline hits on Oct. 29....
First Call: Hockey coach threatens to burn ref’s car; Le’Veon Bell mad at NFL broadcastVideo
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Le’Veon Bell is defending his struggling quarterback. Some rumblings about that Emmanuel Sanders trade. And a hockey coach may have gotten a little too mad at a referee. Strange sense of humor Remember when Bill Cowher stuffed a photograph in a referee’s pocket? Yeah. This is...
First Call: James Neal has his own goal song; Gerrit Cole faces Yankees
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” James Neal is making beautiful music. Gerrit Cole looks to dust the New York Yankees. And the Penguins get ready for the red-hot Colorado Avalanche. Real Deal Neal James Neal had a 40-goal season in Pittsburgh back in 2012. He’s on pace for more than that...
Flyers debut ‘rage room’ for fans to take out frustrations
This seems appropriate. Philadelphia Flyers fans who may be looking to get, oh, maybe 44 years or so of frustration out (1975, anyone?) now have the chance to do it at their team’s home arena. The “Disassembly Room” is a first-of-its-kind “rage room” inside Wells Fargo Center that will offer...
First Call: National broadcast jumps on ex-Pirates ALDS battle; James Neal stays hotVideo
For our final “First Call” of the week, we recap the ex-Pirates battle in Game 5 of the ALDS. James Neal can’t be stopped in Edmonton. And a very happy anniversary for a Pitt football legend. No contest Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros blew by Tyler Glasnow and the...
First Call: Antonio Brown’s rambling plea to Patriots; Gerrit Cole vs. Tyler Glasnow in ALDS Game 5
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Antonio Brown says he wants to get back into the NFL with the Patriots. A Major League Baseball player channels his inner A.B. during a postgame celebration. John Gibson is back in Pittsburgh with the Anaheim Ducks. And Zion Williamson’s NBA career seems to be starting...
First Call: NFL villains abound; Ex-Pittsburgh players star in MLB, NHL, NBA
Wednesday’s “First Call” has two themes. The first is NFL villains getting what they deserve. The second is former Pittsburgh athletes thriving in new places. Everywhere. Shake-gate On Monday night, Richard Sherman made the claim that Baker Mayfield snubbed him in the handshake line before the coin toss. Based on...
