On Sports: Steelers reportedly bringing in receiver for visit; NHL draft draws nearer

In Wednesday’s installment of “On Sports,” the Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly zoomed in on a candidate to fill a void at the wide receiver No. 2 spot.

It’s also NHL Combine week, with the top hockey prospects gathering in Buffalo, N.Y., ahead of the 2025 draft.

Plus, an MLB umpire who hails from Latrobe was involved in an interesting “heads-up” play in the line of duty Monday night.

WR 2 target?

ESPN insider Adam Schefter reports that free agent wideout Gabe Davis was arriving in Pittsburgh on Wednesday for a scheduled visit with the Steelers on Thursday.

That would track with the Steelers’ well-documented need to add reinforcements at wide receiver in the aftermath of trading George Pickens to the Cowboys, as well as passing on at the position in this year’s draft.

Particularly, in a repeat of last season, the Steelers find themselves lacking a true No. 2 wide receiver, this time behind newly acquired DK Metcalf.

The 6-foot-2, 26-year-old Davis, a five-year NFL veteran, previously visited with the Giants this offseason.

Sources: Former Bills and Jaguars WR Gabe Davis is scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to visit with the Steelers on Thursday.

Pittsburgh has been seeking additional receiving help and has inquired about, but is not expected to trade for, Miami TE Jonnu Smith. pic.twitter.com/0lctkfJS0R

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2025

Davis was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars in May after being limited to 10 games in 2024 as a result of a meniscus injury in his left knee suffered in November.

Davis’ season-ending injury came about eight months after inking a three-year, $39 million contract with Jacksonville.

At the time of his injury, he had recorded 20 catches for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

He spent the previous four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and, in total, has caught 183 passes for 2,969 yards and 29 touchdowns.

His most productive NFL campaign in the NFL came in 2022 when he made 48 grabs for 836 yards with seven touchdowns.

Davis owns a career yards-per-catch average of 16.2.

But now, the Central Florida product’s future prospects in the NFL are unclear.

That said, if Davis does find a new home for 2025, the team that brings him aboard will likely be able to do so at a bargain basement rate, as Davis is already collecting $11.5 million from the Jaguars, per the terms of his release.

Penguins throwbacks

In honor of NHL Combine week, currently taking place through Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y., the Penguins tweeted out baby-faced pictures of many of their players’ past participation as young up-and-comers.

Erik Karlsson, seemingly before he required a razor and shaving cream, is pictured from 2008, as is Kevin Hayes from 2010.

It's NHL Combine week ????

First up, '08 and '10. pic.twitter.com/I2cleQJ7c8

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 3, 2025

Rickard Rakell (and his hair) also made the cut from his 2011 participation, along with Tristan Jarry (2013).

2011 and 2013. pic.twitter.com/28aiXwdjWB

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 3, 2025

The Penguins have the 11th overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, set for June 27-28 in Los Angeles.

Additionally, the New York Rangers have until June 25 to inform the Penguins if they’ll also be recieving the No. 12 overall pick this year.

The Rangers’ first-round selection as of now — that pick, which is top-13 protected — was gained in a Jan. 31 trade with Vancouver before the Canucks that same day shipped the pick to Pittsburgh as part of the return package for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor.

If New York opts to keep that selection, the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2026 will instead become property of the Penguins.

A full list of the prospects partaking in the NHL Combine can be found here.

Heads-up play by ump

MLB umpire Jansen Visconti, a Latrobe native, was involved in an interesting play Monday evening with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets squaring off.

In the fifth inning, with New York’s Jeff McNeil on second base, Francisco Lindor flew out deep to left field, with Michael Conforto making the grab.

Hurling the ball back into the infield, Conforto’s throw hit off Tommy Edman at second base before bouncing to hit Visconti directly in the head, ricocheting back into Edman’s glove.

Visconti, who was uninjured on the play, appeared amused at the wild bounce and play.

Throw back in bounces off umpire's head. pic.twitter.com/S0acI56FMu

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) June 3, 2025