U mad, bro?: Penguins’ playoff exit, departing superstars, expanding NFL schedule have readers in a twistVideo
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL playoffs. The NFL might mess with its schedule. Evgeni Malkin could leave Pittsburgh. Andrew McCutchen is grumpy about how he left the Pirates. You can probably imagine how all of that is going over with our readers. If you...
Tim Benz: Bubba Chandler knows where he needs to improve to reach his potential with PiratesVideo
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler had a tough assignment upon entering Major League Baseball last year. He was tagged as “the next big thing” in the franchise’s starting rotation. Unfortunately for him, the most recent “big thing” was still in the rotation, and he had just recently established himself as...
First Call: Arizona WR is recruiting Aaron Rodgers; Robert Kraft pushes for 18-game NFL regular season
Wednesday’s “First Call” advances the conversation about whether the Arizona Cardinals are interested in Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. There’s more talk about the NFL going to an 18-game schedule. It’s a Paul Skenes Day in Arizona. And Robert Morris hosts an opening round game in the men’s NCAA lacrosse...
Tim Benz: It’s time for Sergei Murashov to be the Penguins’ No. 1 goalie
Given how he sparkled during the playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs should be applauded. But not rewarded. Well, rewarded to the extent that he gets some sort of contract to stay with the franchise as he enters restricted free agency this offseason. Sure. Reward...
Mark Madden: The Penguins painted themselves into a corner … so live with it
Sports are in an era where fanboy drivel and appeasement mean as much as (and probably more than) trying to build a winner, especially if it’s not “win now.” Fans want stars retained indefinitely because they wear that star’s jersey. Nostalgia. Giving a proper send-off. Feel-good moments. Vibe. Aura. All...
Andrew McCutchen and Evgeni Malkin prove it’s hard to write a perfect final chapterVideo
On Saturday night, former Pittsburgh Pirate Andrew McCutchen made a fabulous catch in right field for the Texas Rangers. Andrew McCutchen showing off in season 18 ???? pic.twitter.com/iv2M6g2wFl— MLB (@MLB) May 4, 2026 That, of course, led to a torrent of “He’s still got it!,” “How do you like him...
First Call: Ex-Steelers QB signs with Ravens; Chase Claypool’s tryout in Green Bay; Flyers down 0-2 to Carolina
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” an ex-Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback lands in Baltimore. Chase Claypool is still looking for work. Penguins fans can enjoy another Flyers loss in their current series against Carolina. And the Pirates look to stay hot in Arizona after their sweep to close out a homestand at PNC...
Tim Benz: The Pirates keep telling us who they are. Maybe it’s time we listen
The topic came up while I was on the desk Sunday night at WTAE: “Who are the real Pirates?” Are they the team that swept the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend? Or are they the team that got swept by the St. Louis Cardinals the previous four days? My response:...
Tim Benz: The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin decision will be the ultimate test of Kyle Dubas’ conviction
At this point, we’ve heard every reason why the Penguins should let Evgeni Malkin retire this summer or walk away as an unrestricted free agent to play elsewhere in 2026-27. Malkin will turn 40 on July 31. He’s a wing now, not a center. He only played 56 games this...
First Call: Steelers QB Drew Allar has a hot-selling jersey; new video of Dallas’ role in Makai Lemon draft saga
Monday’s “First Call” has unearthed footage related to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Round 1 NFL Draft drama. The NFL schedule release may be delayed. A Steelers rookie has a hot jersey on the market. And the Robert Morris lacrosse team is bound for the NCAA Tournament. Behind the scenes By now,...
Mark Madden: Connor McDavid’s clock is ticking, and Edmonton isn’t helping
The Edmonton Oilers’ window to win a Stanley Cup might be slamming shut on Connor McDavid’s legacy. After losing the last two Stanley Cup finals, the Oilers got eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in this year’s first round and looked “mediocre” all season, to quote McDavid. (Not exactly what a...
Madden Monday: On Sidney Crosby’s future — ‘I don’t think he’s going anywhere. Period’
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is eligible for another contract extension this offseason. Based on his 74 points in 68 games this season, there’s no reason to believe the Penguins wouldn’t want to give him one. The question is, though, does he want to sign one? Given his age and...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Ben Kindel is Sidney Crosby’s heir
Ben Kindel isn’t and won’t be the player that Sidney Crosby is. But in some ways, Kindel is Crosby’s heir. He’s incredibly serious for a 19-year-old. (Just turned.) He sits next to Crosby in the dressing room, absorbing like a sponge. He’s known for watching video, constantly being on the...
‘I’m still kind of sick to my stomach’: Penguins’ Ben Kindel using last shift against Flyers as motivationVideo
Most Pittsburgh Penguins fans can’t tolerate rewatching Cam York’s series-ending overtime goal for the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, it sounds like Penguins rookie Ben Kindel can’t stop replaying it in his mind. “I’m still kind of sick to my stomach thinking about that last shift and how the season ended,” Kindel...
Mark Madden: Penguins face emotional, roster-altering decision with Evgeni Malkin
To Geno or not to Geno? For the Penguins this off-season, that is certainly the most emotional question. Evgeni Malkin will be a free agent July 1. He wants to keep playing, and for the Penguins. He will be 40 when next season begins. Malkin smoothly switched from center to...
Beyond the Bylines: Steelers’ offensive tackle decisions, Penguins’ goalie plans, Pirates’ defense, 1980s board games
This week’s “Beyond the Bylines” covers lots of ground. Joe Starkey and I start off with the news about Broderick Jones failing to receive a fifth-year option from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then we navigate the Steelers’ constant tinkering with the offensive tackle position, Mike McCarthy’s continued praise for Will Howard...
Tim Benz: On days when Paul Skenes is off, Pirates must learn to be their own stoppers
Maybe it was just the pall of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season ending in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, but Thursday afternoon’s Pirates game against the St. Louis Cardinals certainly had a negative hockey feel to it. For instance, Paul Skenes appeared to be doing his best Tristan Jarry impersonation. Instead of...
First Call: Steelers reportedly declining Broderick Jones’ option; Mike McCarthy labels Will Howard an NFL ‘starter’
Broderick Jones isn’t getting a fifth-year option from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The player the Steelers wanted to pick in the 2026 draft has already signed a contract in Philadelphia. Mike McCarthy continues to throw flowers at the feet of Will Howard. The Penguins-Flyers rivalry drew big TV ratings. And the...
Mark Madden: Penguins’ season was fun, surprising but, ultimately, wasted
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia isn’t hard to analyze: They couldn’t score. A group that finished third in goals during the NHL regular season with 293 — the most by a Penguins team in the Sidney Crosby era — scored just 11 times in six playoff games....
Tim Benz: Dreams of a Penguins comeback become a nightmare with 1 shot
Thursday night’s Penguins-Flyers Game 6 had a hypnotic effect after a while. It was nearly 80 minutes of 0-0 hockey, but with innumerable huge saves, gorgeous scoring chances, turnovers, odd-man rushes, clean looks, deflected shots, near misses, gasps, shrieks and groans. The constant flow of failed high-danger attempts lulled me...
U mad, bro?: Penguins’ playoff loss to Flyers, Steelers’ draft choices have fans on tilt
Losing to the Philadelphia Flyers always makes Pittsburgh fans mad. Losing in the playoffs makes Pittsburgh fans irate. Losing in the playoffs to the Flyers makes all of Pittsburgh enraged. That’s what happened Wednesday night, and it doesn’t appear that we are handling it well. At least everyone in the...
First Call: Mike Tomlin rumored as Patriots’ target if Mike Vrabel exits; Steelers ‘alerted’ Aaron Rodgers about UFA tag
Thursday’s “First Call” highlights a wild story about Mike Tomlin’s name coming up for a potential NFL coaching vacancy. There’s an update on that Aaron Rodgers UFA tag. George Pickens’ contract fate is known. And Robert Morris is going to be a lacrosse hotbed this weekend. Another Mike for Mike?...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers’ UFA tender from the Steelers is just a paper move, but the words still mean something
The most expeditious way to sift through the cumbersome language surrounding the UFA tag the Steelers placed on quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week is to simply call it “a paper move.” It’s just procedural. It’s insurance so the Steelers can extend the compensation formula window. It has closed for any...
Tim Benz: 5 things the Penguins need to do in Philadelphia to win Game 6
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a chance to force a decisive Game 7 of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers with a win in Philly during Wednesday night’s Game 6. All the momentum is on Pittsburgh’s side after fending off elimination in each of the last two games. The...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger isn’t wild about Drew Allar; Art Rooney II addresses Jerry Jones’ ‘bad side’ comments
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Ben Roethlisberger’s reaction to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Drew Allar. Art Rooney II responds to Jerry Jones’ draft day concerns. The Penguins hope some bad karma impacts the Philadelphia Flyers. And I need to say goodbye to a friend. The jury is out In his...
