First Call: Steelers among teams with most interest in QB Jaxson Dart; Penguins stars congratulate Alex Ovechkin

Monday’s “First Call” has congratulations for Alex Ovechkin from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ biggest stars. The Steelers appear intrigued by a quarterback prospect in this year’s NFL Draft.

The St. Louis Cardinals make their first visit to Pittsburgh this week. We honor the life of a former Steeler who died over the weekend, and we acknowledge another ex-Steeler who is tearing up the UFL.

Stick taps for Ovi

In response to Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal-scoring record, both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin recorded videos of congratulations for their long time rival in Washington.

“It’s been an honor to compete against you for all these years,” Crosby said via the Penguins X account. “Over that time, you’ve accomplished so many milestones, but this one was probably thought to be impossible, and you found a way to do it. Congratulations on scoring the most goals in NHL history. Hope you have a great night celebrating with your friends and family.”

"It's been an honor to compete against you all these years."

Congratulations on the #Gr8Chase, Ovi! pic.twitter.com/wjNNTmQ3EH

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 6, 2025

Speaking in Russian, Malkin expressed similar praise for his NHL countryman.

"Continue making us proud."

Congratulations from your friend, Geno. #Gr8Chase pic.twitter.com/psScrw4wV5

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 6, 2025

“Ovi, this is a true feat. Today, you have made history,” Malkin said. “This was one of the hardest records in all of hockey, and today you have broken it. From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate you, your friends, your family and your teammates. … Continue making us proud.”

Ovechkin scored his historic goal No. 895 against the New York Islanders on a power play Sunday afternoon.

GOAL NO. 895 FOR ALEX OVECHKIN ???????? pic.twitter.com/miN550EEg1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2025

It was Ovechkin’s 42nd of the season. But the Islanders ended up winning the game 4-1.

Throwing a ‘Dart’

The Steelers are among the teams who have spent the most time with Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart in the pre-draft process. That’s the word from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport over the weekend.

Dart was in Pittsburgh on Friday for an official visit. Rapoport says the Giants, Browns and Saints have also spent a lot of time getting to know Dart.

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #OleMiss QB Jaxson Dart, who visited the #Steelers today, has spent the most time with the #Saints, #Giants, #Browns, and Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/jPrG6xljvg

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2025

Rapoport added that the trip to Pittsburgh was Dart’s last scheduled pre-draft visit.

ESPN.com ranks Dart as the third-best QB on the draft board and 28th-best prospect overall. During his final season at Ole Miss, Dart accounted for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. He was sacked 28 times and completed 69% of his passes, averaging 10.8 yards per attempt.

Cain is able

Last week, it was former Steelers running back Kalen Ballage who posted the UFL’s biggest highlight with a league-record touchdown run of 77 yards for the Arlington Renegades.

This week, ex-Steelers wide receiver Deion Cain put up a 52-yard touchdown reception from Matt Corral as part of a 21-12 victory for the Birmingham Stallions over the Michigan Panthers.

CORRAL ➡️ CAIN FOR THE TD!!! ???? pic.twitter.com/sYhKvCFDGT

— B2B2B CHAMPION STALLIONS ???????????? (@USFLStallions) April 5, 2025

Cain also returned two kickoffs for 61 yards, giving him 145 all-purpose yards on the day. Through two games, Cain leads the entire UFL with 311 all-purpose yards.

The Clemson alum spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Steelers.

Remembering Ray

Former Steeler Ray Seals has died at the age of 59. That’s according to Syracuse.com. According to the outlet, Seals was living in Tampa at the time of his death this weekend.

The defensive lineman played in the NFL from 1989-97 with the Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. No cause of death has been revealed.

Seals was a Steeler from 1994-96, but he missed the ‘96 season due to a torn rotator cuff. His best year was in 1994, when the Syracuse native registered 47 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He also had an interception, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

Seals made the NFL without playing any college football. He went right to the Syracuse Express semi-pro team out of high school before eventually signing with Tampa in 1989.

Down note

The Pirates managed to avoid a sweep against the New York Yankees on Sunday, courtesy of a walk-off RBI from outfielder Tommy Pham.

Raise the Jolly Roger!

Tommy Pham lines a walk-off single for the @Pirates. pic.twitter.com/p3X5mOXv4j

— MLB (@MLB) April 6, 2025

The Bucs’ next opponent, the St. Louis Cardinals, weren’t so lucky. They got swept during a doubleheader in Boston on Sunday. The Cards also lost all three games in the weekend series at Fenway Park.

After falling 13-9 on Friday, the Cardinals and Red Sox were rained out Saturday. In the first game of their doubleheader Sunday, Boston’s Wilyer Abreu singled off the Green Monster to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Wilyer Abreu ends it with a walk-off single off The Monster! pic.twitter.com/R3aB88RS41

— MLB (@MLB) April 6, 2025

Then St. Louis also dropped the nightcap 18-7.

The Cardinals come to PNC Park from Monday through Wednesday. They are 4-5. The Pirates are 3-7.

Pittsburgh’s scheduled starters are Carmen Mlodzinski, Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller. St. Louis plans to counter with Matthew Libertore, Sonny Gray and Erick Fedde.