Mark Madden: Pirates aren’t following Penguins on path to playoffs
The Pittsburgh Penguins were projected to be a non-playoff team before the season, maybe as bad as bottom-five in the NHL. But then a lot went right. Anthony Mantha scored a career-high 33 goals. After two disappointing campaigns in Pittsburgh, Erik Karlsson resurrected his game and earned team MVP. Twelve...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Sidney Crosby, then, now and forever, remains committed to Penguins
The Athletic reported that Sidney Crosby “definitely want(s) to keep playing for as many years as possible.” But Crosby’s contract extensions, he says, will be structured to give the Pittsburgh Penguins salary-cap options: “It just makes sense, whether it’s our cap, who we have coming in and out, just to...
Mark Madden: Aaron Rodgers talk is everywhere and, ultimately, that’s our fault
Aaron Rodgers might now be a meh quarterback, but give him credit: He knows how to refresh the news cycle. For months, Rodgers had locals on the edge of their seats awaiting his decision: To play or not to play? Rodgers got ice cream, signed and showed up at OTAs....
Mark Madden: Pirates need more from well-paid Bryan Reynolds and other sports notes
Just like Aaron Rodgers, refreshing sports notes will eventually show up. But on a haphazard timetable, and who knows if they’re going to be any good? Also like Rodgers. • The Pittsburgh Pirates’ biggest problem is outfielder Bryan Reynolds: He makes $14.25 million, has one home run in 35 games,...
Mark Madden: Aaron Rodgers’ arrival likely means Will Howard’s departure
Aaron Rodgers finally showed up. All hail the conquering hero. He was seen getting ice cream with teammates Pat Freiermuth, Mason Rudolph and Ben Skowronek. That’s a whole lot of vanilla. Rodgers’ commitment was inevitable. Now Will Howard gets cut. That’s inevitable, too. Howard is the people’s choice, somehow rising...
Madden Monday: Steelers re-signing Aaron Rodgers ‘puts off where they need to go’
There are two potential outcomes for the Pittsburgh Steelers offense now that Aaron Rodgers is reportedly back for a second year as the starting quarterback. The first is that he’s coming back at age 42, so he’ll be a year older and less productive than he was in 2025. The...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Circle this date on the Steelers schedule. It will tell us a lot
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule was officially released Thursday. I’m not one to go game by game, predicting every score and toting up a record. It’s absurd to forecast September when it’s only May and you’re not sure who the quarterback is, never mind December. But I see a swing game....
Mark Madden: There are reasons to like where the Steelers are heading, and it starts with the coach
I have a sense of optimism about the Pittsburgh Steelers, however dimmed by the ongoing Aaron Rodgers fiasco. Not to do great things this year, but to build a foundation for beyond. Big-picture thinking, perhaps accidentally. Diluted by employing a geriatric quarterback. (I hear Rodgers is in town for a...
Mark Madden: Penguins caught between nostalgia and rebuilding as Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby decisions loom
Evgeni Malkin becomes a free agent July 1. President of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas says the Pittsburgh Penguins “would love to have him back.” Malkin says he wants to play. So, what’s the holdup? Dubas has already re-upped lesser lights like winger Connor Dewar and defenseman Ilya Solovyov. Dubas’ press...
Mark Madden: The Pirates will hover around playoff contention but have their flaws
Are the Pittsburgh Pirates good enough to make the playoffs? The MLB season is only one-quarter complete. But that’s a big small sample. The Chicago Cubs have had two 10-game winning streaks and might run away with the National League Central. The Pirates linger on the edge of the wild-card...
Madden Monday: Penguins can’t let the Evgeni Malkin uncertainty equal the Steelers’ issues with Aaron Rodgers
Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas will meet with the media on Tuesday. Those will be his first public comments since the playoffs ended April 29. The elephant in the room will be what the franchise plans to do with 39-year-old unrestricted free agent Evgeni Malkin. During this...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: The Penguins are moving too slowly toward being a contender
Alex Ovechkin very likely wants to play another season. The Washington Capitals don’t necessarily want that. Ovechkin scored 32 goals this season, but his mobility has declined. He might be 30 pounds overweight. But he’s the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer and the franchise’s best player ever. The Capitals can’t tell...
Mark Madden: A city breathlessly awaits Aaron Rodgers’ arrival
Aaron Rodgers is coming to town! Like Santa Claus, only Rodgers looks older. His sleigh may have landed by the time you read this. (It’s akin to when TV stations track Santa on Christmas Eve.) Given his aversion to decision-making, Rodgers may check his list more than twice. Opinions on...
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...
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...
