October 3, 2014

Friday Insider: Open mind, spot for Kapanen

by Dejan Kovacevic • Friday Insider • Tags: Penguins, Pirates, Pitt, Steelers

DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS A weekly feature aimed at rounding up a whole lot of odds and ends from a whole lot of time spent around our local teams … • Kasperi Kapanen is a child by any professional sports standard at age 18 years, three months. But he also just might be

Subscribe to read the rest of this column and all that's offered on DK on Pittsburgh Sports. It's available for as little as $1.50/month. Existing subscribers, please log in.

Column: A handful of reasons for hope Saturday site stuff: App on the way

90 Comments Newest to oldest

Joe Babik
10-3-2014, 2:13 pm
Good news on the scoreboard at PNC. I'd also like to see them do something with the out of town scoreboard in RF. Somthing similar to Baltimore or Cincinnati where it is digital and more graphical would be a huge upgrade as well.

Reply

aglebagel
10-3-2014, 8:41 pm
I'd prefer the out-of-town scoreboard to stay a bit more on the old-school side. And it's not like we need all that info. I can pull up ten times the info the scoreboard would show in about five seconds on the MLB app.

Patrick
10-3-2014, 2:19 pm
As long as they do not gild the lilly too much. Imagine a matching enlargement of the charity sign, creating a canyon of noise and light!

Reply

DormontyDawson
10-3-2014, 2:28 pm
Ugh. The NFL is a passing league. I wouldn't mind Justin Brown being ahead of Moore if, in additon to his ability to block, he could catch and hold the football. But he can't. Kind of like our DBs being able to "keep the ball in front of them, and tackle." Passe' as all get out.

Reply

PlazMan
10-3-2014, 5:18 pm
NO DOUBT! Key dropped passes and that killer fumble in the Red Zone against Baltimore should, one would think, hurt his playing time. Better blocking or not, he shouldn't be ahead of Moore.

Bettis36
10-3-2014, 6:35 pm
Completely agree!

mpackage
10-3-2014, 2:48 pm
If I'm Pedro, I'd be glad if anybody wants me to play ball anywhere, right now. Winter, spring, summer, or fall. His season was a complete bust and he needs to start from zero. You would think that being a liability to your team would be humbling enough. Disappointing to hear.

Reply

DJ
10-3-2014, 9:33 pm
He needs to give it a go, even if not a full fall season.
.
My sense is Pedro and Boras both think it's beneath him. Too bad.

Skip
10-3-2014, 2:49 pm
I believe one can argue Renegade DID actually work. Yes, Tampa drove the length of the field on their "Renegade" possession, but ultimately failed to score on fourth down.

It was on their final possession (no Renegade) that they drove downfield for the winning TD.

Reply

DJ
10-3-2014, 9:37 pm
Interesting take from Dark Side of Moon guy.
.
Maybe "On the Run" would have been more appropriate.

Skip
10-3-2014, 2:51 pm
Should have doubled down on Renegade, like the Detroit game last year.

Regardless, it's a great atmosphere when it's played. A lot of fun - I think the players like it too.

Reply

Playoffs by 2012
10-3-2014, 3:53 pm
Did someone say STYX??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt0zmMxiv3Y

Reply

Dejan Kovacevic
10-3-2014, 4:08 pm
This is the best thing that will happen to me today.

Wild Bill
10-3-2014, 4:03 pm
Carcillo not unemployed for long. Back to the Blackhawks.

Reply

Milo Hamilton
10-3-2014, 4:12 pm
Everyone have a safe weekend. Looks like a rainy night in Freeport for me.

Reply

Wild Bill
10-3-2014, 4:14 pm
They still play "in town" there, Milo?

mmariez
10-3-2014, 4:31 pm
DK's posted videos won't play using iPad/Safari browser. Any one else having problems?

Reply

Skip
10-3-2014, 4:45 pm
I've been able to play his videos on my iPad/Safari before, but they're not working for me today either.

Arriba Wilver
10-3-2014, 4:53 pm
Yes, had the problem for a couple days.

BillyBaduka
10-3-2014, 6:07 pm
I've had the problem for a couple days to.
.
Today, after repeated taps I was able to get them to play.
If you haven't tried it already, close safari, open again- try.
.
Power off iPad, start back up and try.
.
Latter usually does the trick.
.
Cleaning screen helps too.

G-Man
10-3-2014, 4:51 pm
DK, loved your mention: "this is not college football" about guys (coaches) blowing off contracts for better offers. That makes my blood boil. I live by a tired old saying: "Just because it's legal does not mean it's right." And that goes for some aspects of "free" speech.

Reply

Arriba Wilver
10-3-2014, 4:57 pm
Biz---check your e-mail.

Reply

PlazMan
10-3-2014, 5:21 pm
I have zero issues with Kapanen starting the season here in the Burgh. Hell, I'm just thrilled they finally drafted a skilled winger. As long as it doesn't hurt his development, why not?

Reply

SheckyW
10-3-2014, 5:48 pm
"Skilled winger". Sounds weird, but I like it. Maybe the kid will stick.

Arriba Wilver
10-3-2014, 5:27 pm
Steelers---I'm no Tomlin fan at this point, including how he treats the media, but implying him employing WPIAL referees at practice as being inconsistent with his answer to you immediately after the game seems nitpicking at best. Reporting it is one thing.

Reply

G-Man
10-3-2014, 7:27 pm
Unfortunately, Tomlin's glib approach with the media makes it hard for me cut him any slack at all. Well, that and the fact he can't seem to prepare his team for games.

Arriba Wilver
10-3-2014, 5:30 pm
Bucs---if Pedro refuses Winter Ball after the season he had, I'm tired of his act. They've reportedly babied the guy from day 1. I'll "suffer" through the lack of homers.

Pens--going to the opening game.Should be fun.

Reply

G-Man
10-3-2014, 7:22 pm
While Pedro's not in the same class of diva that Bryce Harper captains, he always reminded me of someone trying to do the least to get by. Sad prediction is he'll leave Pittsburgh and blossom the way Joey Bats has although Joey appeared to give a good effort while here.

Eric Bowser
10-3-2014, 7:24 pm
If Pedro Alvarez wants to collect a major league paycheck that has quite a few numbers, he'd be wise to accept the position change and request to play Winter Ball. No one will want Steve Blass playing third base.

DJ
10-3-2014, 9:44 pm
Big upvote comin' 'atcha on both counts, AW.

Tim
10-4-2014, 8:44 am
Agree. His act is growing old. This seems like a blatant display of self over team.

Eric Bowser
10-3-2014, 7:21 pm
I hope the Penguins keep an open mind with Kapanen and Sundqvist. Really hope both players stick on the NHL roster this season.
.
My latest hockey column...
.
http://www.pensburgh.com/2014/10/3/6861017/is-hockey-turning-to-the-matrix

Reply

Eric Bowser
10-3-2014, 7:41 pm
Yeah, this is going to be fun. I plan to write at least a Sunday column for PensBurgh but I know it'll probably end up being a lot more than that.
.
I mean, someone has to push DK right?
.
LOL

J.R.
10-3-2014, 7:35 pm
The in-game music selections at the Steeler games are hardly a credit to the "next generation!"

Interesting NY Times book review piece online now about the Boogard book.

Reply

James Schmitt
10-3-2014, 7:43 pm
Yadi Molina & Gonzalez have to be separated. Molina gets to shove the ump out of the way & nothing is done. Everyone acts as though it didn't happen. Buck & Harold don't say a word. Nothing to see, folks. Just special treatment is all.

Reply

Eric Bowser
10-3-2014, 7:45 pm
Exactly. What was that?!?

James Schmitt
10-3-2014, 7:46 pm
Yadi Molina & Gonzalez have to be separated. Molina gets to shove the ump out of the way & nothing is done. Everyone acts as though it didn't happen. Not a peep from Buck or Reynolds, of course.

Reply

James Schmitt
10-3-2014, 7:46 pm
Sorry for dup comment.

jordanwhite1025
10-3-2014, 8:00 pm
If kapanen makes the team and has a productive season, would rutherford -with about 1 week to prepare-already surpass shero drafts?

Is winter ball in venezuela? Can't say I'd be excited to visit there either. Can pedro play somewhere else?

Reply

aglebagel
10-3-2014, 8:44 pm
I know there's a Dominican winter league. Not sure where else.

Dejan Kovacevic
10-3-2014, 9:08 pm
Other league is Dominican. A lot of players actually prefer Venezuela for reasons that have nothing to do with baseball.

PlazMan
10-4-2014, 8:24 am
After the season Maatta had at only 19, Kapanen would have to win the Art Ross for JR to surpass all of RS's drafts. Ray drafted Staal (which netted Sutter, Doumalin and a 1st rounder), Despres, Bortuzzo and Pouliot. I'm not saying RS drafted great, but let's not go overboard.

Friday Insider: Open mind, spot for Kapanen

ABOUT

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

CHOOSE YOUR CATEGORY

CHOOSE YOUR TEAM

Twitter

Facebook Page

Recent Posts

Contact us

Site info

Gift subscriptions