Madden Monday: On Erik Karlsson trade talk, 'everybody ... is just waiting to see if San Jose cracks'

After a week off, “Madden Monday” is back at “Breakfast With Benz.” And two things haven’t changed at all since I last spoke with Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE.

The Pittsburgh Pirates keep losing, and we keep waiting to see what’s going on with the Penguins’ pursuit of San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson.

Let’s start with that second item first. Because Madden at least thinks there is some clarity in terms of where things stand right now.

“I’ve kind of been told everybody has their best offer and is just waiting to see if San Jose cracks and takes one. I’ve also been told Karlsson is vehemently against going to Carolina. He hates (former Sharks defenseman) Brent Burns and thinks their style (stinks). And their style does (stink),” Madden said during this week’s podcast.

It has long been believed that Carolina is the other most prominent suitor for Karlsson’s services on the trade market. So Madden’s take on the Norris Trophy winner’s perception of Carolina then begs the question: If Karlsson is down on Carolina’s style, what does he think of Pittsburgh’s approach?

“The Penguins play exactly like Karlsson does. And I mean that in the most flawed possible way,” Madden said with a laugh.

Kidding or not, I get where Madden is coming from on that front.

I agree with people who suggest that Karlsson might just be more of the same with the Penguins’ problems of thinking offense first far too often, with an aging roster that can’t thrive playing that way.

As they did five years ago.

But Karlsson might also help yield more of the good with what the Penguins can still do in that regard, and they can do what they want to do better if Karlsson is on the ice.

It’s like doubling Kris Letang’s ice time on the blue line, which is already enormous (24:51 per game) in the first place.

“It gets one of those two — Karlsson or Letang — always behind (Evgeni) Malkin or (Sidney) Crosby. I mean, it is a perfect fit if you just ignore the fact that they’ll be even worse defensively, and they weren’t that great defensively, to begin with,” Madden said.

More sports

• With season spiraling, Pirates promoting top-10 prospects Endy Rodriguez, Liover Peguero
• 'I refuse to be in that situation': As Pirates plummet, Andrew McCutchen aims to avoid collapse
• Steelers 2-a-days: Can Kenny Pickett take Year 2 leap? Will FB Monte Pottebaum make the team?

Again, there is truth in the joke.

Karlsson will be great for the Penguins’ attack at all costs, pushing the puck up the ice mentality. But he’ll also likely augment some of the issues they have when it comes to being smart and sound when making decisions in crucial situations of tight games.

As far as the Pirates go, they just got swept in a three-game series at home by the San Francisco Giants for the first time since 2017. They are now 11 games under .500 (41-52) and just 2-10 in July.

So, what is the club doing to keep fans interested?

Playing the “future card” as usual. They’ve called up just about every young prospect they have.

Henry Davis reached the Major League club last month. Nick Gonzales followed shortly thereafter. Fellow first-round pick Quinn Priester is making his MLB debut on the mound Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians. And after Sunday’s 8-4 loss to the Giants, the organization promoted both catcher Endy Rodriguez and infielder Liover Peguero.

“They strike me as an organization that just doesn’t know what it’s doing right now. With the call ups, and some of the other decisions made, I think they’re just throwing (stuff) at the wall and hoping something sticks,” Madden said. “But nothing seems too likely to stick — even less so when you’re shambolic. When you’re just as disheveled as their organization is.”

Also, during this week’s podcast, we get into some comments from Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry, the prospect of a Shohei Ohtani trade and an interesting tweet from Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson.

As a reminder, starting Tuesday, all of our “Breakfast With Benz” podcasts (including “Madden Monday”) will be available via the Fans First Network. Click below to listen and subscribe.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss Erik Karlsson, Tristan Jarry, Pirates call-ups, Steelers offseason