On Sports: Bubba Chandler still not called up; ex-Penguin Kasperi Kapanen shines in Stanley Cup Final

Reports of Aaron Rodgers planning to join the Steelers on a one-year deal undoubtedly dominated the headlines in Pittsburgh sports Thursday, but news on top Pirates prospect Bubba Chandler — at least of an anticipated promotion to the big-leagues — was not forthcoming.

Plus, former Penguin Kasperi Kapanen put together a two-assist performance in the Edmonton Oilers’ Game 1 victory over Florida in the Stanley Cup.

Pitt also hosts a coveted WPIAL recruit for an official visit this weekend.

Chandler starts for Indy

When the Pirates switched up their starting rotation for this week’s series against the Astros, some viewed it as a sign that Bubba Chandler, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect and the No. 2 prospect in baseball, would soon be getting the call to the bigs.

With his 12th start of the year at Triple-A Indianapolis scheduled for Thursday, Chandler instead taking the hill Friday for the Pirates to begin a series at PNC Park against the Phillies appeared a logical possiblity.

However, whether due to service time manipulation or reasons known only to Pirates management, Chandler’s phone did not ring with news of a promotion.

Instead, he pitched against the Memphis Redbirds, going two innings before a rain delay paused play (in similar fashion to the Pirates and Astros, who were halted 3 hours, 20 minutes due to rains in Pittsburgh).

Chandler didn’t have the best outing, as he allowed three runs, tying a season-high, on four hits with a walk and strikeout.

On the year, Chandler is now 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA.

Kapanen shines in Cup Final

Kasperi Kapanen never quite lived up to his potential in a Penguins sweater, and judging by how many times he left and rejoined the organization in trades, opportunities to have done so were ample.

It’s now been parts of three seasons since Kapanen played for the Penguins, with his post-Pittsburgh career taking him first to the St. Louis Blues.

His tenure there ended by being placed on waivers, but Kapanen, after being claimed by the Edmonton Oilers last November, went on to suit up for 57 games with the club, chipping in five goals and eight assists.

In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, Kapanen had an impactful performance, contributing a pair of assists in his club’s 4-3 overtime win.

Kapanen also nearly ended the game in overtime, coming up just short of scoring the game-winning goal.

Kasperi Kapanen came SO close to putting this one to bed ???????? pic.twitter.com/j1V0Eokjfa

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2025

Kapanen is not the only former Penguin to have success in the postseason.

The elimination of Dallas by the Oilers in the Western Conference Final brought an end to quite a run by Stars forward Mikael Granlund, who contributed five goals and five assists in 18 games played.

Penguins fans will recall Granlund from his unimpressive tenure in Pittsburgh towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

Acquired from the Nashville Predators by former general manager Ron Hextall, Granlund didn’t offer much in Pittsburgh, scoring a goal with four assists in 21 games.

But since leaving town, Granlund has rejuvenated his game, enjoying parts of two solid campaigns with the San Jose Sharks.

At this past trade deadline, he was traded to Dallas, fetching a first-round draft pick in return.

Central standout visits Pitt

Central Catholic Class of 2026 linebacker Colsen Gatten has racked up an impressive offer sheet as he prepares to enter his senior season with the Vikings.

Currently among the list of suitors vying for his services are, per Rivals, Arizona, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and West Virginia.

Also in the mix is Pitt, which has obvious interest in keeping the WPIAL standout, a three-star prospect, at home.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder is set to conduct an official visit with the Panthers this weekend, he posted to X.

????@Pitt_FB @Coach_Manalac @CoachDuzzPittFB #H2P pic.twitter.com/AlYSOwxoh5

— Colsen Gatten (@Colsen_Gatten) June 5, 2025

Clean slate for Muse?

As it currently stands, new Penguins coach Dan Muse will have some fresh hires to make in rounding out his staff.

After Mike Sullivan took the New York Rangers job, his former assistant in Pittsburgh, Mike Vellucci, accepted an assistant position with the Chicago Blackhawks June 3.

Then, on Thurdsay, David Quinn and Ty Hennes followed Sullivan to New York, taking jobs on his staff.

That leaves video coach Madison Nikkel and goaltending coach Andy Chiodo as the only assistants still with the Penguins as Muse prepares to get underway.

Whether the two remain moving forward or if Muse hires an entirely new set of assistants remains to be seen.

In addition to the annual NHL free agency period, which commences July 1, the Penguins will also conduct their development camp some time in July.