First Call: Devlin Hodges’ sudden fame; Le'Veon Bell to be traded?; cold Kessel; hot Flyers
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at Devlin Hodges’ sudden fame, Phil Kessel’s struggles, Le’Veon Bell’s uncertain future with the New York Jets, and the Yankees’ flirtations with Gerrit Cole.
This is going well
Le’Veon Bell’s run in New York is already being labeled a failure.
Year 1 isn’t even over yet.
Check out this post from Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. He’s panning Bell’s stay with the Jets so far.
Mehta isn’t even ripping Bell. He’s blasting Jets coach Adam Gase, describing him as “a fickle used car salesman with an ever-changing reality designed to insulate himself from future blame and/or responsibility.”
It has long been believed that Gase never wanted the Jets to spend $52.5 million on Bell. Mehta went on to say, “If Bell flourished, Gase would gladly take the credit. If Bell flopped, the I-told-you-so police would be blaring on the coach’s behalf.
“Gase’s unyielding preference to spread the wealth has turned one of the game’s best dual threats into just another guy fighting for his slice of this Gotham Green pie.”
It’s so bad Mehta claims, “The Jets will be amenable to trading Bell again this offseason, according to sources.”
Well, I know a certain team in the AFC North who might be looking for a running ba….
….kidding. Kidding. Just havin’ a little fun.
Duck soaking it in
Devlin “Duck” Hodges is lovin’ life in Pittsburgh right now.
The unblemished Steelers quarterback went to the Pitt basketball game Tuesday night and got a standing ovation.
.@steelers @DevlinHodges10 sighting at the Pitt Rutgers basketball game at the Petersen Events Center. pic.twitter.com/BqjnJeWHtK
— Charles Palla (@ChazPalla) December 4, 2019
He mugged for the ESPN cameras on hand. He’s posting Instagram videos with JuJu Smith-Schuster. And there is even a petition to get the giant inflatable duck back in Pittsburgh again on his behalf.
So much love in such a short amount of time. Now all Duck has to do is never lose.
Ever. Not once. Totally not allowed.
Cold Kessel
Phil Kessel got an assist Tuesday night in Columbus.
That doesn’t sound like news. But it should. Because the former Penguins star went the previous four games without a point.
The Arizona Coyotes winger has just one goal since Nov. 2. He has only four goals and 15 points all season. He is also a minus-14.
That lack of production is surprising, given that the Coyotes are in second place in the Pacific Division. So they are managing to win without much production from their big offseason acquisition.
Much credit should be given to former Penguins player and assistant coach Rick Tocchet.
He and Kessel will make their return to PPG Paints Arena Friday night.
Hockey hot streaks
Two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference stayed that way last night.
The Boston Bruins shutout Carolina 2-0. Jaroslav Halak pitched his 49th career shutout in his 500th start.
24 shots. 24 saves. ❌#Jaro500 | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/hyeG7UiEEs
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 4, 2019
That’s eight straight wins for the Bruins. They lead the Atlantic with 45 points. That’s a 14-point cushion on second-place Florida.
The Philadelphia Flyers won again, too. That’s five in a row for them. They beat Toronto 6-1 with six different goal scorers.
Caught 'em sleeping. #TORvsPHI | #FlyOrDie pic.twitter.com/3UjWhHw40a
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 4, 2019
Philly gets Arizona Thursday before the Coyotes come to Pittsburgh Friday. The Flyers now have 37 points, placing them third in the Metro Division. The Penguins are five back with 32 points, which is currently good for the last wild-card spot.
The Penguins host the hottest team in the West Wednesday — the Central Division-leading St. Louis Blues. The defending Stanley Cup champions have won four in a row and six of eight.
Cole and Cashman
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is in California this week.
He is meeting with former Pirates star Gerrit Cole and World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg. These two right-handers are the jewels of the free agent market. And, of course, the Yankees are the guys with the most cash.
According to Ken Rosenthal of “The Athletic,” some other teams have already started talking to Cole and Strasburg. Others are waiting until after the Yankees visit. He also says Cole may wait to decide until January.
His contract may approach $300 million. David Price owns the record deal for a pitcher at $217 million with the Red Sox.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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