Jim Rutherford was hired by the Penguins as general manager last summer. — GETTY
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
HARRISBURG — Roundup of a lot of randomness from a lot of time around our teams …
• Sometimes in this business, you hear whispers, rumor, second-hand or third-hand word, and it’s difficult to discern what’s worth putting out to the public and what isn’t.
Not so with the following information I received yesterday afternoon: The Penguins absolutely, positively, unequivocally have no plan to remove Jim Rutherford and/or Mike Johnston, regardless of how the season ends.
This comes straight from the top. No middleman. No room for misinterpretation.
What’s more, the team has no expectation that Rutherford, 66, will resign or retire.
The broader stance, again straight from the top, is that the 2014-15 team has been besieged by key injuries, particularly on defense — where three of the top four players were lost in Kris Letang, Christian Ehrhoff and Olli Maatta — and that this facet has been more responsible for the team’s flat finish. The name cited most often, actually, is that of Maatta. Not because he’s seen as more important than Letang but because he was lost so early and forced Johnston to alter his breakouts and puck-support systems to something that didn’t require above-average mobile defensemen.
The stance on Rutherford is that most of his many trades were good, and that’s pretty much indisputable, I’d say. He took his biggest gamble right away in getting Patric Hornqvist for James Neal, and Hornqvist has been exemplary in every way even as the Predators have been happy with Neal. He invested a first-round pick in now-struggling David Perron, but the Penguins see him as a potential 30-goal scorer once he gets back to shooting pucks without first needing to read ‘War and Peace.’ Trades for Daniel Winnik, Nick Spaling and the like haven’t looked as attractive as they might, the stance goes, had they not been forced to play top-six roles due to injury. Pluggers should plug. Maxim Lapierre was added because he was expected to be a better playoff performer than Marcel Goc, which he has been by a mile. Acquiring Ian Cole for Robert Bortuzzo has been an outright heist. And even the one trade that doesn’t look good from a hockey standpoint, Ben Lovejoy for Simon Despres, is viewed without regret for reasons beyond hockey pertaining to both men.
One area where I strongly differ from the front office — vociferously, actually — is that they feel Rutherford wasn’t to blame for the late-season cap fiasco, as it involved what they feel was an extraordinary, worst-case circumstance in Letang and Ehrhoff both going down. It says here that covering for worst-case scenarios is part of the job.
I don’t have nearly as clear a view about the stance on Johnston, other than that he’s safe, so I won’t speculate as to why that sentiment exists.
Short version: No blowup is on the horizon. Not this summer.
See the Game 4 column for more about what to expect instead.
• The man held responsible for the hole dug, especially in the organization as related to depth and youth, very much remains Ray Shero. That’s as it should be.
• Know that plans for 2015-16 will include giving Taylor Chorney a real chance. He has impressed not only Johnston, who fairly glows about him, but also his teammates.
“The guy,” Marc-Andre Fleury told me, “is just everywhere, so smart, quick, good with the puck.”
• Olli Maatta is living and dying with the Penguins shift to shift, from high overhead. It’s no fun seeing him up in the press box, for obvious reasons, but it’s been telling about his passion and team spirit.
• What in the world would have compelled NBC color commentator Pierre McGuire, during Game 1 at the Garden and in between the benches, to raise his right arm to call attention to a referee while Steve Downie was crosschecking one of the Rangers in front of him?
It requires reading body language, but McGuire looked disgusted by what he was witnessing and his motion was suggesting to the ref something like, ‘Hey, are you seeing this?’
The network, of course, didn’t air this. But it could be seen on the in-house feed at the Garden, which is available to media covering the event.
If the Penguins can get a copy of this footage to corroborate, they’d have every grounds to ask NBC to remove McGuire from future broadcasts. It’s not about overt favoritism. That happens. It’s about interfering with the actual game — in any way — toward assisting one team over another.
I’ll put out a request right here, in fact: If anyone has access to this footage, please contact this site, and I’ll publish it in full context for everyone to see.
A brief snow squall hit PNC Park during the Pirates’ game against the Cubs on Wednesday. — GETTY
• When Arquimedes Caminero pitched for the Pirates in that brief snow squall Wednesday at PNC Park, a new level of difficulty for hitting a baseball might have been born, as he achieved 101 mph on the gun while snow-sleet blinded every batter he faced.
But something else might have been born, too.
“Snowman!” Caminero exclaimed my way yesterday after the win over the Cubs.
When I sought clarification, the big man explained that when his inning was done, Vance Worley playfully dubbed him “The Snowman” and that others in the clubhouse have caught on.
That’s tremendous, right?
“I kind of like it,” he answered with a grin. “You know, you want to be cool out there.”
And snow is … yeah.
“Yeah.”
• If you were watching at the yard or even on TV and wondered what Caminero was using for swing-and-miss pitches the past couple nights, know that he’s got two — a split-change and a cutter — which look basically the same coming out of his hand but take completely different routes.
He leaned on the splitty Wednesday, the cutter yesterday, mixing in the heat presumably to amuse himself.
• Two ridiculous minutes with Andrew Lambo, including stuff on his hitting the other way with authority yesterday, his confidence and his defending Crosby from the critics:
Not everyone picks up on hitting to the opposite field, by the way, at least not until it’s too late. Lambo has been OK going oppo in the minors, but he’s needed to improve significantly in the majors.
I asked McCutchen about that: “You can get away with a lot in the minors, even up to the high minors. But once you get up here, with how you get pitched, you’ve got no choice. What he did today is what he’s got to do, what anybody’s got to do.”
Asked Hurdle, too: “Andrew knows now that he’s got to do that with some pitches. And he is. It’s a great sign from him, and it’s great to see something to help his confidence a little.”
• Apologies in advance if this is getting repetitive, but this is the best clubhouse I’ve been around in a decade of covering the Pirates. And I’m saying that in the sports sense, not whether or not they’re swell guys or give good interviews. I’m talking about their tightness.
At some point this summer, that will be worth a full column with descriptive material.
• It’s instructive that Le’Veon Bell last night told NFL Network during a studio visit that his knee is now “close to 100 percent.” He added: “I’m probably about 85-90 percent, been able to run on it a little bit. So I’m getting back to working out a little.”
Just a reminder: Bell was expected by some to have at least a small chance to play that very weekend in the playoff game against the Ravens. And if not then, almost certainly the following week. Bell himself told reporters, including me in some questioning away from the pack, that he was positive he’d be ready in the event of a win.
But here were are, four months later, and it still isn’t fully healthy.
Maybe it’s just as well the Steelers didn’t advance.
• Following a Bell item with one about ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. might be in obvious bad taste, given their little social media flare-up this past fall, but hey: As close as anyone gets to hard, verifiable draft news is by following those who invest 362 days of the year into the three that encompass the draft, so it’s telling that in the live mock draft last night between Kiper and Todd McShay — one taking even-numbered selections, the other taking odd — Kiper chose UConn corner Byron Jones with the Steelers’ No. 22 pick.
That’s mostly notable because, in previous mocks, Kiper had the Steelers taking another corner, Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson, but this time he dropped Johnson and had the Ravens taking him at No. 26.
This sort of thing tends to happen only when new information about teams’ preference becomes known. And that makes sense, if you think about it, considering neither Jones nor Johnson are participating in any games or combines these days to rise or fall.
As long as it’s a corner.
• Good dude: Rutherford.
No, I’m not going to stir all this up anew. This is mostly about the GM himself.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the continent’s unquestioned finest hockey reporter, was speaking on Canadian television this week after the much-discussed incident, and he called Rutherford “a man I’ve known for a very long time and am fortunate to call a friend” as well as “one of the best men I know.”
Rutherford did something dumb. I was there. I saw it. I heard it. What’s more, he initiated it. The correct course of action for the GM would have been to request, either through media relations or with the reporter directly, an audience to air out grievances. Like a private Festivus, if you will. I’ve had such requests more times than I can count, and almost always, they resulted in at least an understanding of the other side’s position, if not an appreciation.
That didn’t happen here. Rutherford was in the heat of a devastating loss, in a packed elevator, and he was right there against someone he’d have been better off not seeing in that particular setting and mood. And so, after exiting that elevator and taking a few steps, he turned and said something nasty. It wasn’t loud. He wasn’t shouting. In fact, it was barely audible, even to the only other person nearby at this stage, that being me.
Rutherford blew it. He did.
But it happens.
It happens all the time in covering sports, especially at the major-league level, where so much is on the line, so much time and energy invested.
It’s up to any media outlet to cover stuff like this as they please. At this site, the policy will be what it’s always been for me, and that’s this: I cover the news. And if I report to to you every time someone’s mad at me — which, again, happens all the time — then you begin to doubt whether or not I can continue covering a certain individual or team. To me, that tradeoff isn’t worth it. I’d rather try harder to reconnect relations or, if need be, continue covering without the cooperation of the individual at hand. I’ve done that, too. Many, many times. I’ve no doubt in my mind, for example, that about half the front office of the local baseball team still despises me for the ‘Hoka Hey’ reporting a few years back. It doesn’t change a thing. I still communicate with them, still do my job, and they do likewise.
An even bigger example was the single biggest exclusive of my career, that being when I learned that the Penguins had secretly voted Mario Lemieux a $10 million raise during their bankruptcy period, potentially at the cost of paying back small-time creditors. (They eventually paid back every penny.)
Lemieux saw me on the morning that blared across the top of the Post-Gazette’s front page. I was sitting with Herb Brooks in his office at the Civic Arena. Lemieux paused by the doorway, made eye contact and said: “Who was your source? Because I’m going to have to kill him.”
Lemieux could have hated my guts for all time. He didn’t. He cracked that joke, winked and kept walking. We continue to have a great mutual trust to this day. He knew I had a job to do, and I did it.
Personal stuff in either direction doesn’t — or shouldn’t — affect any praise or criticism a journalist makes. That’s why it’s personal and not professional.
Rutherford went personal. That stunk.
But it’s also the case that he had a bad isolated moment with a reporter he felt has been out to get him and the Penguins for nearly a year. It wasn’t, as some have stated, about being sensitive to being criticized. Not from the team’s viewpoint. Rather, it’s about things being portrayed as facts that the team believes are not facts.
I’ve ripped the Penguins repeatedly over the past season, including the front office and medical stuff for their near-comical butchering of the mumps mess. In fact, I was the only writer in town to do so. The team didn’t welcome the criticism. They didn’t enjoy it. But they also didn’t complain at all, presumably because there was nothing factually incorrect.
The only reason I piped up this week — and long-time readers can attest I very rarely address anything related to local media — was that I didn’t like how Rutherford was being portrayed from an accuracy standpoint. I don’t know the man well at all, to be honest. We most certainly aren’t friends. But wrong is wrong.
Great insider. I'm pretty sure half the town hates Rossi. Interesting note on Pierre considering the hockey public think he has a love affair with the Penguins.
In addition. I'm happy GMJR blew up. That shows he is actually a person. We spent years of robot Bylsma and Shero and now seemingly robot Johnson. Someone has to have passion and a look other than deer in headlights.
Michelle
4-24-2015, 12:25 am
If it were anyone else but rossi I think we'd be reacting differently. Rossi has written headline after headline defacing the organization seemingly with very little facts, as Dejan pointed out. It comes of incredibly egotistical and very personal to certain players and personel. That's what I don't like it. I wonder if GMJR knows he's a pittsburgh legend for the "go sell ice cream" comeback. Dk got an answer? Haha!
WildcatRay
4-24-2015, 7:28 am
Don't forget that Regis is friends with Ray Shero. There could be a bit of bitterness for Shero being fired.
I would have to say Regis was out of line for raising his arm as he allegedly did. His job is to express his analyses and opinions of the game he is watching, not interact with and become a part of that game.
And, adding insult to injury, I do not recall Regis expressing the opinion that the refs should have called penalties on the Angels in Game 3.
Dan1283
4-24-2015, 12:15 am
I hate the Spaling trade and to me it has everything to do with his salary. This guy made $2.2 million this year and will make the same next year. And for what? That fact that he makes that kind of coin AND can't fill in adequately on the top six makes it even worse. They don't need to pay a "plugger" that kind of money, unless he brings a tool that most don't like speed, skill with the puck, leadership, an ability to move up to the top six, or size and grit. Spaling brings almost none of that and he certainly has had plenty of chances to show this team something more than what he's given them. He seems completely lost when he finds the puck on his stick. Just look around the playoffs at all the bottom six and second-line wingers making an impact and you'll see this guy is nothing more Marcel Goc playing the wing.
Rutherford should have never made this move. His point production looked good last year, but it's his job to know whether or not that would translate here.
I agree Spalling is a disappointment but wasn't he part of the Hornqvist trade? In that context, though I wish the penguins would have taken a better player, I understand the move as addressing some net-front presence needs and I can understand how scouts would think both players might fill that void. It turns out Spalling is just a 4th liner, but I agree with that logic of taking the upside chance that the pens get 2 top six players for 1. Furthermore, I don't know about the math of the contracts but when you subtract Neal's cap hit from the combined 2 players the pens got it really that lopsided? Seems like of all the trades, this is one of least controversial.
Stephen Dotts
4-24-2015, 2:21 am
From what I saw Neal is 5 more years at 5 million a year while spalling has 1 more year at 2.2 u and Hornqist is at 4.25 million per year for 3 more years. So in context of that trade, Spalling is a net 1.55 uptake if you consider Neal and Hornqist a wash when it comes to talent. With the pens making the phone call to initiate that trade, paying a bit above Spalling's worth for 1 more year is pretty good if the pens get what they want out the deal.
Dan1283
4-24-2015, 8:11 am
Steve, none of that is relevant. Unless there's information I don't have to, Spaling wasn't a required part of the deal. I don't care what his "net" salary is, someone better and cheaper would have cost even less. I don't care that he came with Hornquist. The two weren't tied together. He would've been better off getting a minimum-salary player, because he's given them minimum-salary production.
The wolf
4-24-2015, 4:19 pm
Dan you're spot on in my view. The extra-irritating thing about Spaling is that he threatened to go to arbitration for more money after the trade, the team met him halfway, and then this is what they got for it- a soft 4th liner who hasn't done anything meaningful since last calendar year. Zero goals in 30+ games now. I'd much rather take a chance on a WBS call up for his spot for however long the rest of this season lasts.
Incredible stuff. Frustrating as hell that Pierre did that. I mean, his constant lambasting of Penguins players over penalties, including saying that Downie should sit out the next game, has always reeked is impartial, but you're right, to actually interfere with the game...
Well that's discouraging. Horrible PP, worst division record in the division, not a single third period comeback all year, I don't see any tangible reasons for bringing this staff back. Ratings dropped 13% this year for Pens. I agree injuries have been crippling but even with that where has this team shown improvement besides Flower's outstanding year?
You're wrong about the third period comeback. They did it against Arizona on March 28. Down 1-0 in the third. They won. That's a third period comeback.
And this team was smoking hot early in the season when everyone was healthy.
Scaldis Noel
4-24-2015, 6:02 am
atlantig, Although I'm going to assume your info is accurate regarding a comeback vs Arizona since I don't recall the specifics, I believe that the official "third period comeback" stat is based on whether they were trailing after two periods.
alantig
4-24-2015, 8:36 am
I believe the stat, at least as I've seen it referenced, is always stated as "when trailing after two". Which is slightly different than a third period comeback - the trailing after two stat would include an OT win. (Although depending on how loosely you define "third period comeback", that could also include an OT win or a loss, if you consider a comeback complete when the score is tied. I don't. I'm taking comeback to mean "come from behind and win".)
And something that gets overlooked in the angst over that trailing after two stat, the Pens were had either the lowest or near the lowest (not sure how it finished up) number of games where they trailed going into the third.
WildcatRay
4-24-2015, 9:05 am
Two word: Extenuating circumstances.
Marc
4-24-2015, 10:55 am
If your argument contains the words "against Arizona"...
hugo
4-24-2015, 11:20 am
They didn't win a single game after trailing after two periods all season. They were the ONLY team in the league to accomplish that feat. If you want to hang on the the exact phrasing of what does and doesn't constitute a third period comeback please feel free to waste your time. Nothing like reading all those negatives and choosing to debate the semantics of the point.........
tfftroy
4-24-2015, 12:21 am
What can I say DK? Friday Insider is so awesome. It does seem to me that the last half of this season has been such a poor representation of what JR and MJ might be able to do, especially considering this team's record through December.
And your closing is perfect. Every word. Thank you.
1. My laugh out loud for the night: "without first needing to read ‘War and Peace.’ "
2. Good dude: Ollie Maatta. Love team spirit like that.
3. Good-er dude: Mario. Great story about you two.
As a former high school and college journalist (and not to sound analogous to a former high school football player who "knows the game"), I have a real appreciation for how you write and where it comes from. Being a columnist lets the writer share their opinion, but as you said, keep the personal stuff out.
Journalism principles are the same at all levels. I appreciate your words same as I would from someone at NYT. Thank you.
mkozak25
4-24-2015, 12:23 am
I can't believe they allowed him to post that article. I'm not in journalism, and I don't know the unspoken rules but when I read it it reeked of unprofessionalism. Guy has to have blocked half of pittsburgh on Twitter and just seems petty. I realize that columnists give opinions but it makes me appreciate DK's even though I may not always agree with them. At least I know he forms his opinions based off facts. And as long as that's the case I'd be willing to pay the small amount to be able to keep reading
Half of Pittsburgh is lucky. His twitter feed wreaks of a self-important hipster who thinks he's more clever than everyone else.
Dejan Kovacevic
4-24-2015, 2:58 am
Journalism's rules aren't unspoken. There are codes of conduct and ethics at every outlet.
jhuber855
4-24-2015, 6:35 am
Rossi has literally blocked every person that I have known who used to follow him on Twitter, simply because they commented in a way that he didn't like. You need some thick skin when you are putting your opinions out there- and he has none. He is just a spoiled, entitled , non- respected journalist- plain and simple
Mike
4-24-2015, 9:11 am
Chad! great seeing you in here, buddy
anyways, whatever he did worked from his perspective and will only fuel his fire to keep having awful pieces. he was on NHL Network the day after his article. just sickening that he had such a double standard - "im a writer, i write facts" in his article, yet in his own quote, he said "i write my opinion" to GMJR. I am even disappointed in myself for reading his pieces this long. he clearly has a vendetta against this current regime.
Happy to have made the change over to DK!
mk
4-24-2015, 11:05 am
I wasn't sickened by what Rossi wrote, because I didn't read it. If people don't like the guy, they should strongly consider not giving him the page views, and not following him on Twitter. I'm guessing his employers pay attention to those kinds of numbers.
Dan1283
4-24-2015, 12:28 am
I just want to expand on my previous point, if I may.
Too often in this town I hear the phrase "everyone liked/hated the deal at the time it was made" or "I didn't hear anyone complaining about the move a year ago." But it's all irrelevant. Most of us don't have scouts' eyes, or access to inside information shared amongst that circle. Everyone thought the Pirates overpaid for Russell Martin. But Huntington and his staff got that one right. We were wrong and it doesn't matter, he was right and that DOES matter. That's my point on Spaling. He looked like a good fit to us. But if he looked like a good fit to Rutherford...man, that's a pile of wasted money.
Thought I heard some in front office were against including Spaling because he was at peak numbers last year.
Would have taken Hornie straight up for Neal. And then asked Preds if they had a few more Hornies they might want to unload.
bml8wn
4-24-2015, 12:28 am
out of curiosity, roughly when did the downie/pierre happen during the game? it's always worth a look on the canadian broadcast to see if they caught/aired it.
That's it! There's more, but you catch the tail end and see him complaining all demonstratively. Nice work!
Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
4-24-2015, 11:25 am
I'm not looking to become a defender of Pierre McQuire:
. . . . . but I do a lot of public speaking and I intentionally talk a lot with my hands. It animates the words, and that animation comes through even over the phone or when someone isn't looking.
I see both of McQuire's hands coming up in unison and his head bobbing as if he is talking into his mike on this clip. He does not appear to be "yelling" as if to the refs, but reporting into his mike. At both glances the camera gives him, both hands are moving in unison and moving as one who is talking about or reporting something.
Maybe it happened before this clip, but I don't see a right hand pointing toward a supposed penalty———as a public speaker I visualize a person reporting on what is happening in front of him.
erikhume
4-24-2015, 12:29 am
Hey DK, next time you're in Harrisburg, you need to do a local meetup, lots of fans out here!
The only thing better than a great journalist, is an honest, great journalist. This is why your medium is and will continue to be successful. This subscription is the most justifiable money I've spent in a long time. Thanks for the insight, and more, the honesty behind it.
That being said, though the season isn't technically over,I can't wait to see what this pens roster looks like in September and what, if any buyouts actually go down. Unlike the Steelers, it seems to me that the Penguins are a little too loyal to buy anyone out.
one more thing... I hate that Ehrhoff had injury trouble. I love his game, and I think he'd have been a real nice piece of the team for a few years. But, considering the injury history this season alone, they just can't consider signing him, in my opinion.
Even if Ehrhoff had been healthy through the end of the regular season and into the playoffs, it is highly unlikely that he would have been re-signed. If he had played poorly, they wouldn't have wanted to re-sign him, and if he played extremely well, they wouldn't have wanted to invest the additional money in him for future years, with all of the young talent (and the cap space it saves) already in the system. Even if Scuderi is bought out, with everyone healthy, they have more than 6 NHL-caliber defensemen under contract for next year.
Mike
4-24-2015, 9:24 am
Chad, 100% agreed. DK is great and I'm mad it took this long for me to subscribe. Well worth the $$$.
I am very excited for this offseason, but cant see the pens buying out players. Though, i think GMJR is less loyal to Kuni/Scuderi than Shero was, I dont know if the culture of the organization will allow for these buyouts. Maybe find a buyer like the Coyotes did for Z.Michalek. Doubtful, but who knows.
Regarding Ehrhoff, i was never a fan of that, and i think we disagreed back at the time of the signing. The only caveat I had was if that meant we can trade Martin for a top winger, then I would like the trade. Otherwise, it's just another year without giving a good shot to our prospects. Injuries derailed what was starting to be a solid season and great contribution for him, but now i think it's clear that 7 & 10 leave in free agency. Maybe get rid of 4. And have some new blood come in. Olli healthy and Kris healthy will be the biggest piece.
DJ
4-24-2015, 12:33 am
We need Metallica writing a new song, a la "Enter Sandman" for Mariano Rivera.
"Enter Snowman" for Caminero! Can see this nickname sticking -- pun intended.
Exit light, enter white. Take my hand. We're off to winter wonderland.
Sounds like a winner.
ziggygreece
4-24-2015, 1:37 am
+1
LoufromOSU
4-24-2015, 8:05 am
Or will they just play "Snowman" by the Clarks. :)
I doubt that would have the same effect to pump up the crowd.
prejames
4-24-2015, 12:35 am
I'm not sure what NBCSN sees in McGuire. Nobody needs to hear where each player played junior hockey. It adds absolutely nothing to the broadcast.
Don't get me started on Milbury and Roenick. Not sure why anyone wants to here analysis from the worst GM in the history of the NHL night after night. Roenick's caveman bro shtick doesn't add much either. Give me Weekes or Craig Button over those guys.
We need to get Gary Thorne out of exile. He's calling Orioles games on MASN. Only national audience he gets nowadays is from EA Sports
LoufromOSU
4-24-2015, 8:07 am
G Victor couldn't be more right...Thorne was the best national play-by-play man back when espIn acknowledged the sport existed.
WildcatRay
4-24-2015, 9:16 am
The issue is who holds the US TV rights. Comcast/NBC/Cryers aka Ed Snider and Family.
Most, if not all the analysts dare not criticize the league, the officials, the Cryers or what or whoever for fear of losing their jobs. But, I feel that I must add that the fear of criticizing would be little different if ESPN held the TV rights as the league still will have a say in who is on the telecasts.
Andrew Straley
4-24-2015, 12:39 am
while mr. Rutherford was wrong to hurl insults at the sports writer, I have a bigger problem with the column in general. he certainly has a right to report on what Rutherford said, but, I mean this is a rough business. you deal with big egos. not everything is going to be pretty. I now know that barasso was a complete a**, but, for a long time it was never brought up. better to take the high road. but, when you read the latest column, you can feel the venom in it and I also could a bit of natcism, like, "how dare he say that to me!"
this why even though his columns are free, I will never read one of them again because he has no credibility. I am sure I am not the only who thinks that way and he should have thought of it before writing down his temper tantrum.
My Barrasso stories alone would have filled five columns. He was a machine for that sort of thing.
Jakester
4-24-2015, 12:39 am
Love the Friday insider
Another great one today
Really appreciated the Rutherford good dude segment
One last comment about that reporter
He called Bettman the best commish in all of sports
I think that about says all anyone needs to know about the quality of his "journalism"
Normally agree with most of DK articles. But the trades I disagree.
- Spalling at 2.2 was not needed
- Perron has 1 year left, so you have two options, sign him or wait. Secondly, just like being unable to recall defenseman, he did not protect the pick as a lottery pick.
- Winnick for a 2,4 and Sill? Horrible trade.
- Lovejoy part II, just as bad as first time. So Simon has some off ice undisclosed issue? Fine , could have gotten more. I admit Cole better than Borts, but we have no physical defenseman at all.
- Finally Letang played in a lot of a Metro division games, they still stunk, he played vs Rangers in regular season, we stunk. If the Pens believe injuries are the only thing holding them back, I feel they are wrong.
The most that would be done is removing Pierre from between the two teams at ice level. They wouldn't dump him completely. Like it or not, he gets fans talking about him, and if they're discussing the broadcast, that's what NBC wants. It's the "no such thing as bad publicity" mindset.
Johnny Styles
4-24-2015, 10:40 am
I love how he always brags about being here when the Pens won their 2nd Cup. All he did was get Scotty Bowman's coffee.
The story was about the interaction between JR and a Trib columnist after the game 3 loss
The McKenzie reference by DK was BM vouching for JR's character
i'm a die hard pens fan. If they pull this series off in 7 i will walk to cali to raise money for charity. 29 and 87 amd 72 can only carry so much of the load. geno is obviously hurt.
Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
4-24-2015, 11:32 am
If Geno is hurt and that's the cause of his ineffectiveness and lack of taking shots, why is he practicing——hard——at every practice instead of sitting out?
Pens2187
4-24-2015, 1:08 am
They didn't say anything about keeping Malkin and Crosby?
Rossi's a condescending prick. It's not like Rutherford said anything that the entire city doesn't already know. Tact on the other hand, as you correctly pointed out, would have suited a man of his position a bit better than lifting Rossi's dress in public. But hey, everyone has a bad day every now and again!
I was hoping for a friday insider piece or update on #stealYohe. ;)
If that happens, Kaboly would be the ONLY reason to ever view their sports content ever again.
Cali Hustle and Flow
4-24-2015, 1:20 am
I think ownership is doing this team a disservice if they're not at least considering other coaching alternatives at this point, as well. A coaches job largely, is to adapt. On-the-fly, in-game, personnel matching, injuries, the works. MJ looks like a deer in the headlights when they isolate a camera on him behind the bench. The Pens need a damned general back there, not an indecisive manager.
I'm glad to read that there's no massive team blowup about to happen. Sure there are some players that need to go and I have no doubt that will happen.
As far as Pierre goes there's not much more to say than he's a tool. Brings nothing to the hockey broadcast. Unless you care about what a players favorite meal is or some other irrelevant bullshit.
Finally does any other Penguins fan gets stuck watching the Rangers game feed? I live in NJ so I'm forced to watch homer ass coverage. To me this shouldn't be allowed in the playoffs. Should be neutral and unbiased.
Jay - stream the radio broadcast via 105.9 the X via the iHeart radio app, or listen to radio stream through the Pens app. There are lots of ways to bypass the stuff you don't like. Mike Lange has a great feel for the game. you may -or may not be surprised- depending on how long you listen to him how often he senses an impending goal either by the Pens or our opponents.
chrisboehke
4-24-2015, 1:25 am
I've worked in newsrooms nearly 20 years and have heard countless inside stories; that Lemieux anecdote is the best. Le Magnifique!
It's hard to top on blatant name-dropping alone, right? :) Two giants in the history of sport.
unipress_5521723494160
4-24-2015, 1:26 am
Terrific.Down to earth.Informative.I felt like we were sitting at a bar having a drink and DK was talking face to face.Alot better than being talked down to,shouted at,or force feeding me some hyped up story.Thats why your the best Dk.The best!
I've negated the McGuire's and the Milbury's and all the others for years and years with what I believe is the best way to consume Penguin hockey. Listen to Mike Lange and the Ol' 29'er on the radio for games and Bob Grove in between periods. Forget the TV guys entirely. Watch if you must, but use the mute button- it is your best friend on national telecasts
I can tell you for a FACT that Pierre was an unabashed Penguins homer...until Ray Shero was fired. And of course when he didn't get the GM job.
I can attest to this listening to his daily hits on TSN radio. He loved everything about the organization, often bringing up the Penguins without any prompting from the local host. Part of it was - like it or not - him having two Stanley Cup rings as part of the Pens' organization as a scout and assistant coach. The other part was he and Shero being best of friends (in each other's wedding party) and as friends are apt to do, supported everything he did.
Pierre gushed over every move Shero made without fail. It was frustrating as a fan to listen to that stuff because it was clear as day that Shero was gutting the team, but what are friends for right? Ray this, Ray that.
I'll tell you this: When Shero was fired and Pierre appeared on his daily Montreal radio hit, he was heartbroken. It wasn't an act either, he really sounded - well the way you're supposed to sound when something like that happens to a close friend.
It only got worse when he was rejected for the GM job. I have no clue how close he actually got to getting it, but the days leading up to the announcement he sounded giddy, as if he was the front runner. When JR got the job, Pierre sounded devastated, and almost made it sound like he was positive the job was his until the 11th hour. Needless to say he was very unhappy.
Ever since then, he's done a complete 180 heel turn. Not on a Rossi level, but very similar. He likes MJ, by has panned almost every player move JR has made, often stating "I would have gone another way."
DK, if you've managed to read this far, you can find Pierre gesticulating during the Downie play on the CBC/Sportsnet feed on Gamecenter. When i saw it, I just assumed he was saying something like "Oh, Downie is gonna get a penalty for a crosscheck here!" to the NBC audience that I obviously couldn't hear because I was watching the Canadian feed.
Man oh man if he was pressing the mute button (can someone who was watching the NBC feed confirm if he was talking to the audience at the time of the penalty?) and yelling to the refs, that's a hell of a low thing to do.
Just checked both feeds at the time of Downie's penalty. The whistle has gone and the penalty has already been called, and THAT is when Pierre indeed tells the audience "that's a selfish penalty by Downie." When he starts gesturing with his hands he's saying "See you can't do that!"
Unfortunately there's nothing more to see here. He's basically expressing frustration with Downie at taking a bad penalty at a critical moment in the 3rd period. And it wasn't one of those Downie phantom calls either. It was the one where Zucarello is down on all fours and Downie starts shoving his head down with the shaft of his stick and got nipped.
Dejan Kovacevic
4-24-2015, 3:08 am
You're right on all counts, Bill. What's described above is just before what CBC catches. It's one arm raised up.
jhaugjr
4-24-2015, 6:34 pm
I listen to his daily appearances on 990 Montreal every day on my commute home in Vermont,and to use his favorite phrase, BK is "spot on"
TFliegl
4-24-2015, 3:19 am
Excellent stuff, thank you DK! Love these Friday Insiders. Greetings from Prague.
D,
Good stuff. Your candor and honesty is what keeps me coming back. Moreover this kind of perspective not only provides compelling insight but also makes me feel as if I am there witnessing the events myself. So much more interesting and some respects liberating because your "spinless" approach let's me form my own opinions and conclusions - which if you think about it is really the point of your profession/craft. Great stuff!
I woke up at 4 AM, looked at the clock and said to myself "DK's Friday Insider is up!" Great read. Thank you for your honesty and for the well thought out, intelligent opinions.
Nice! I live in mountain time, so I counted down the minutes until 10:00 pm. And like clockwork, up popped Insider even before my app alert went off. And I'm not the only fanatic--by the time I finished reading 13 comments had already been posted! Talk about a loyal readership!
dannyboy1631
4-24-2015, 5:05 am
Great, great stuff as always. Not sure if you saw, but the Pensblog boys had a post stating their sources confirmed Rutherford would be fired at the end of the post-season. The header of said post showed your head photoshopped onto a baby in a high chair being spoon fed with the opening line, "now we don't get spoon fed our info like some others...". For as long as I've followed you you've been a constant professional in your reporting, and it's not come at the expense of conveying your opinion or real emotion. Rossi's tantrum over his dust up with Rutherford disgusted me, and said blogs often lack credibility. I appreciate your work more and more each day. Stick tap for being the go to sports writer in Pittsburgh.
Its a photoshop of Ron Burkle spoonfeeding him. From what I saw on twitter, DK took it in good stride and found it humorous. I don't think he sweats a blog with no real access to the team too much.
Andy B
4-24-2015, 5:11 am
So Rutherford is a good dude because...?
He got picked on by a reporter?
Because another reporter who calls him a friend said said he is a good guy?
Seems like this really should have been entitled "unprofessional dude" and the next two words changed, but I know that's not your modus operandi.
Mom always said " if the guy seems nice to you, but is mean to the waitress (even if she screws up) is he really a nice guy?"
Character counts and this is embarrassing for a franchise that has enough to be embarrassed about...
You might want to reread what DK said. He discussed what Bob McKenzie, a well-respected guy said about Jim Rutherford, as evidence of him being a "good dude". JR has a long reputation in the hockey world for being a "good dude". He also said that JR was wrong for doing what he did in the Rossi incident. He didn't excuse what JR did, but provided the context. You're right about how people treat someone like a waitress being a window into their real character, IF it is a repeated pattern. But, don't we all, even the best among us, have a few moments we wish we hadn't done or said something in anger? I've heard nothing to suggest that this was a pattern of behavior towards reporters from JR.
manicscholar-uk
4-24-2015, 6:31 am
I agree....that deserved to get reported. In addition Rossi has been spot on regarding his comments about Rutherford's job performance.
LoufromOSU
4-24-2015, 8:33 am
But Rossi isn't unprofessional in his weekly assaults on the franchise with outright lies?
It might have been unprofessional in what JR did, but if you read between the lines, I think DK has been insinuating that Rossi blew the entire exchange out of proportion and exagerated greatly.
JR inherited a mess of a roster with bloated contracts and no real forward prospects...he took some chances on trades, some working out, some not. I don't think he is the guy to turn the ship around with his penchant for bad contracts, but I guess we shall see.
Andy B
4-24-2015, 8:42 am
Scaldis: My point is that DK doesn't site any personal or specific facts, incidents or stories about about JR being a good dude, other than to say that someone else thinks he is.
Beyond that how many of your friends would say you are a good guy? Regardless of my professional ability(or lack there of, Ha!) those who call me a friend aren't gonna say I'm the biggest idiot around, how does that reflect back to them?
DK makes more of a case that Lemieux is a good guy. (Which I believe he is, but that isn't the leading point)
The other unnamed journalist's point all season has been that JR isn't cut out to be GM and that he has a history of making poor decisions, including how he choose to handle a critic the other night. A case I find more and more believable as of late...
Throughout the rest of the insider DK makes a case based on facts and figures that JR tried to make good decisions and that he was the victim of uncontrollable and unforeseen circumstances.
Given the content of the whole piece, I could be convinced that JR is a reasonably good GM, but the case that he is a good dude seems overwhelmingly weak given the examples(or lack there of) and lack of any sort of apology or even any public remorse.
And yes I have been guilty of saying things in the heat of the moment I regret, but in my adult life I have made it a point to offer an apology and seek to make things right however appropriate. Even Bryan Price issued an apology...
WVStarship
4-24-2015, 9:19 am
You know what bothers me about this incident? The 'ice cream' comment, because it turns out that the Rossi family owns a Dairy Queen. Was this common knowledge in Western PA? From the many comments I've read about this retort I've got the impression that it was not. Therefore, Rutherford actually researched Rossi before this confrontation. This leads me to wonder if this wasn't a spontaneous reaction at all by JR, but a calculated attempt to embarrass and intimidate his biggest critic. In any event, my impression of JR hasn't changed--he's still the David Littlefield of the NHL to me.
Dan1283
4-24-2015, 9:48 am
LouFromOSU, what outright lies? Rossi hadn't lied about anything. I listen to his show and he defends everything he says and writes with clarity and reason
Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
4-24-2015, 11:43 am
Enterprise from Almost Heaven,
I've heard Rossi talk about his Dairy Queen ties on the radio: on the Fan.
The Fan guys kidded him about it 9 months ago.
It's common knowledge.
A. Lane
4-24-2015, 2:52 pm
MVPtoHOF,
If the Penguins GM is a regular listener to The FAN or any sports talk radio, he should be fired on the spot.
Josh Newark
4-24-2015, 5:46 am
Good stuff dk. Loved the Pierre stuff. completely unprofessional. can't wait to see the video
I know that you are reporting that no massive blowup is imminent, but considering the struggles and changes that Geno and Sid endured this season, would one of them possibly want to check out?
If the Penguins are eliminated and Malkin goes straight to Russia and plays hockey, what do you expect the reaction to be from fans and the organization given his injury filled season?
How long do you expect malkin to accept playing with garBage. I would have wanted out years ago.
Carl Peters
4-24-2015, 7:18 am
I really hope they rely on the young defenseman we have and move Erhoff/Martin money to wings up top
BillyBaduka
4-24-2015, 8:38 am
Malkin does not and will not "go back to Russia" and play hockey. He and some players have played in international tournaments, which may be held in Russia. But they could be held in other countries.
"Go back to Russia and play hockey" makes it sound like he's going back to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He's only played in the KHL during the NHL lockout. CBA doesn't allow players to play in other leagues.
I agree with the idea that Malkin should look to heal what ails him rather than play in international competition.
Menofsteel87
4-24-2015, 5:59 am
I think even with Matta and Letang in the lineup. They still lose to the Rangers. Top six wingers are net crashers with no great skill. Seen nothing positive that makes me believe GMJR or HCMJ should return. Upper brass needs to get their head out of their asses. Bring in a true leader. Meaning a HC not a player.
Agree completely. Letang would have made mistakes and pens would lose just the same. Lots of changes are needed if they are serious about winning.
bpn8pitt
4-24-2015, 6:18 am
Yea, I noticed Jones a couple weeks ago. Really seems like the Steelers type of player, leadership traits; good character. He's shot up draft boards. Had a ridiculous jump at the combine. Some see him as a safety.
Think you're going to get your wish too. Probably taking another CB or DB later with the amount they talked to. Maybe even three...if Nate Orchard is still there in the 2nd, could be the pass rusher.
I really don't think either Winston or Mariota will be very good. Saw a good tweet the other day that historically, Oregon and Jimbo Fisher QBs have been terrible in the NFL.
Ej Manuel is on buffalo. It has been reported that jimbo even told them he wouldn't be a good qb in the league. I think Jameis will be good but it'll take some time
bpn8pitt
4-24-2015, 10:54 am
I always thought Lovie Smiths problem in Chicago was QB. Although he does protect them with a decent D and running game. Winston wont have WR as an excuse. Jackson and Evans are a great tandem.
Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
4-24-2015, 12:15 pm
Bullpen Nate,
"historically, Oregon and Jimbo Fisher QBs have been terrible in the NFL."
Come on, man! I know you're smarter than that. How many Pitt receivers were historically good before Larry Fitz? How many Tennessee QBs were good before Peyton Manning? How many Kent State linebackers were good before Lambert? How many Miami QBs were good before Big Ben? How many Wisconsin QBs were good before Russell Martin? How many NC State QBs were good before Philip Rivers? (actually one, Roman Gabriel)
We can play that game all day. A player is a player is a player. Can he or can he not?
bpn8pitt
4-24-2015, 1:11 pm
It was a damning list Groat. Dennis Dixon, Ryan Leafs little brother, Christian Ponder, Manuel who kozak mentioned. Several more I can't remember. Like 10.
I lived in Tampa for awhile. And I can just see Winston going into Ybor City doing something stupid. As for Mariota, just not convinced he can make NFL throws. Him and Bryce Petty barely took a snap under center there whole careers.
theBikeman
4-24-2015, 6:20 am
Rossi is a columnist an opinion deliverer, not a reporter. He gets people to respond to him and read his stuff. Nothing more, nothing less.
Ovechkin and Stamkos aren't doing that well in the playoffs, I think they should be traded along with Crosby and Malkin. Stars have to be stars you know!
The Pens didn't need Sapling at 2.2M. I think that's the point most fans are making.
As far as the front office (probably Morehouse) blaming it all on Shero...of course they are. To blame it on Rutherford would show they had made a blunder when they hired him. The Pens are wasting the best years of Sid and Geno...and would anyone be surprised if one of the stars asked for a trade? I wouldn't.
SO you don't think the Kunitz, Dupuis and Scuderi contracts, long term deals at around $4M each isn't a big issue, but a 2 year 2.2M one sunk the team? He also had Comeau for $700K, which was a bargain on the return until he injured his wrist. Shero created the mess, and while Rutherford was far from perfect and dug the hole deeper with the limited draft picks they had, he was trying to at least fix the roster. That didn't work out obviously.
A. Lane
4-24-2015, 9:31 am
Considering that Dupuis going to LTIR, allowed for the Perron trade, I'm not sure that should be cited as a negative.
Rutherford knew the contract issues coming in, instead of trying to find blame for who put the Penguins in this mess evaluate the job Rutherford has done. I'm pretty underwhelmed, not sure why this organization should be so beholden to a GM that they didn't contact until several weeks into their GM search, especially one without a track record in the salary cap era.
LoufromOSU
4-24-2015, 11:17 am
Lane, I agree to a point. But I was more commenting on the recent beating of the paling contract. I didn't see anything official with regards to what the negotitions for the Neal-Horny/Spaling deal were, unless I missed it. Preds may have insisted on trading Spaling in the deal for cap reasons. I don't know. I thought the Comeau contract more than made up for it (while he was healthy).
I do have more issues with the subsequent trades and have stated numerous times in these forums that I do not think GMJR is the guy to lead turn it around, which would require smart cap friendly contracts to contributing players.
A. Lane
4-24-2015, 2:47 pm
Fair points Lou, Rutherford did well with his free agent signing, the problem is they were all one year deals. Spaling is fine but overpaid for role and production, I think he represents one of the little missteps that were made with regards to the salary cap, which really hurt the Pens done the stretch.
Shero certainly borrowed a little too heavy from the future, and earned his fate, but the big thing for me is Rutherford isn't an improvement.
irwinfletcheer
4-24-2015, 6:30 am
This site reads as if the pens pr department is writing the columns the last few Days. I really have no clue how upper management believes in this core of players or the gm and coaches. what a joke.
Man after that interview with Llambo, I am rooting even harder for him. Seems like a good guy mad is working hard to stay. Bet is worth on the team will go beyond his performance.
I don't agree with everything Rossi writes. But reading some of the comments on his columns and some of the stuff said to him or about him on Twitter, I have serious doubts about our civilization moving forward. Way out of line. With their kid in their profile picture to boot.
Feels like people piling on. And no offense, DK. But those people down on Rossi who unequivocally agree with everything you say, may be the most annoying of all.
The issue is simple with Rossi. He flat out makes things up, like his "contribution" to Yohe on the Staal coming back rumors. Like his inside knowledge of Sid's inner circle. Rossi has always been all about grabbing headlines even if he has to invent rumors with fake sources to do so. He's done it for years. Heck, on the day Shero was fired, his sources said Bylsma was gone and Shero was safe. He wants to be the star of his column. Flat out, he is significantly worse at his job than GMJR and HCMJ are at theirs.
A. Lane
4-24-2015, 9:29 am
Sport discussion to often become a political discussion.
Adam
4-24-2015, 9:40 am
When Rossi stops making stuff up for clicks us when he'll be respected as a journalist.
bpn8pitt
4-24-2015, 10:06 am
Personally I think a journalist has to sift through a lot of BS through players and team officials to find the truth. And on more than one occasion the BS makes it to print. Because an organization or official is trying to discredit them. Or they don't want to reveal something sensitive. Smoke screens. Mixed signals...Me personally, I don't believe everything I read or watch. I take several different sources sometimes with different views each and draw my own conclusions.
Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
4-24-2015, 12:23 pm
I agree strongly with Bullpen Nate's 7:19 AM comment here, both paragraphs.
The truism of both points, both paragraphs, makes me squeamish.
keithddavid
4-24-2015, 7:22 am
I burst out laughing at the "Snowman" nickname -- thanks for sharing that DK!
DK, I understand that there may have been off-ice concerns with Despres, and for that I understand moving on from him. Where the issue is, at least from a spectator standpoint, is that he was traded for what appears to be $0.50 on the $1.00. Hypothetically, if Sid developed similar habits, he wouldn't be traded straight up for a player of lesser talent, like say Ryan Callahan. The return seemed lackluster then and certainly does now.
This is a tremendously fair point, one I should have included.
Scott
4-24-2015, 9:20 am
Despres for Lovejoy straight up on its own is likely tough to handle, but when consider that they got Cole for Borts, I think the Pens come out on top if you factor both trades together, which I think is fair since they happened at the same time. I think Cole for Despres is a winning trade for the Pens if it went down that way.
Wild Bill
4-24-2015, 7:27 am
Great Friday Insider. Since the Rangers seem to be too much for the Pens this season, my head is already moving on to the Pirates and the Steelers draft.
I really like that the team has a bunch of guys who seem to be figuring things out - Marte, Lambo, Caminero, Polanco, even Kang. If the Bucs can just get JHay going to set the table, this could be a fun summer. Just gotta keep the Cards from having a six game lead by the end of June, somehow. And I do want tot see one of the young pitchers get a chance, not the fourth or so iteration of Ground Chuck.
With the Steeler draft, love to see corner or OLb in the first round, and then keep going in that vein through the third round, at least.
Watching some other playoff hockey the last couple nights, all I can say is "speed kills". Go get some this summer, Pens.
Pierre is trash and is still very clearly butthurt about being snubbed last year for the GM position, but really what the hell are the guy's qualifications!? Exactly why he didnt get the gig, let it go. NBC should be proactive and remove him on their own accord.
His number one qualification was asking Scotty Bowman how many creams he wanted in his coffee.
Johnny Styles
4-24-2015, 10:44 am
His number one qualification was asking Scotty Bowman how many creams he wanted in his coffee.
OGBobbyFarnham
4-24-2015, 8:18 am
Everyone talks about the injuries on defense for the Pens but people need to start talking about the injuries/no shows up front:
-Geno is obviously playing hurt
-Bennett had a terrible season marred with injury/playing with 2 knee braces at the moment
-Comeau who was flying before he broke his wrist hasn't been the same since
These 3 key guys at 100% gives the Pens 2 dangerous scoring lines imo.
Other than that Perron and Kunitz's contributions have gone bone dry. Perron will be better next year. Kunitz won't though. He should be traded.
Thanks for commenting on the Rossi article. Rossi's decision to write an entire article -- an entire article! -- on Rutherford's comments was unprofessional at best. I can't believe the Trib actually published it.
I've made the decision to stop visiting their website. You were the only reason I was a regular reader there anyway.
Enjoyed reading this morning. Loved the stuff on 66 and his raise. I did find myself pretty ticked at the McGuire stuff. I know fans complain all the time about announcers favoring one team or another. Pierre has gone way over the line this series, especially on Downie. If this video shows what DK says it shows, there is no way NBC should continue to let him broadcast. He made no mention the other night of Downie getting whacked in the head prior to the 2 minutes being called on Downie. Pierre just whined about his lack of composure.
Nice read DK. I think GMJR has done a fair job. Shero drafted and developed 1 top 9 forward in his entire tenure with the Pens and that was the 2nd overall pick. That says it all to me. Complete fail. Rob Rossi is a punchline to sports fans in Pittsburgh, that says it all.
Seriously one of the best pieces you have written...well done!
rharding1949
4-24-2015, 9:05 am
Another great Friday Insider. However, I find my self wondering about something regarding the Pens. This coach and GM were brought in to get to the Cup finals. All that we heard was that the regular season did not matter and that the only thing that matters was the performance in the playoffs. well, now that the Pens are on the verge of elimination, it seems as though both GM and coach are coming back. Some thing seems wrong with that picture to me.
Verge of elimination due (in large part) to injuries on Defense. Not due to the GM or Coach
WhatThePuck?
4-24-2015, 9:41 am
9 goals over 4 games against the President's trophy winners doesn't seem very much like a worn down failure of defense. We've lost because we can't score.
JC
4-24-2015, 9:16 am
Great read, as usual. I really appreciate the fact that I can trust the information shared on the Insider, and that DK holds HIMSELF to a higher standard.
Great article. I am deeply frustrated with Pens management on many levels (are we really supposed to care that Despres is a jagoff who drinks too much when he's killing it 18 minutes a night out in Anaheim?) but it is good to see that aren't giving in to panic. There were serious issues with the roster this year and obviously health has been a problem, but this is ultimately a rebuilding kind of year, and I like what we have to build on going forward.
It's been said before in many ways, but I'd gladly pay this site's subscription fee for just the Friday Insider. DK, another in a long line of amazing reads.
All my Pens jerseys have been shelved for the last two months. If this management crew returns intact they will remain there all next season. I simply can't, no won't, tolerate another season of THIS. Thanks Mario, great player bad owner.
I like this playoffs version of Max Lapierre. Where the heck was he during the regular season, when the Pens were floundering? I mean, I get turning it up or notch or two during the playoffs, but frankly, I was perplexed as to why this guy would be so highly recommended from Blues fans. Now that I've seen the playoffs version of Lapierre, I get it.
Not to pile on....but as for the columnist that Rutherford had words with, both were right. Both were wrong. Rutherford was right in the fact that Rossi's criticisms were personal and spoke of a definite axe to grind. He has been waiting to nail the Pens since Shero was fired. Rossi was right, because there have been definite criticism that were merited.
Rutherford was wrong because as you mentioned above, that was not the professional way to handle it. Rossi was wrong, because in turn, he was acting like a Jarkko Ruutu (or for us older guys, Keith Acton) in which he has been goading Penguin management into some sort of reaction then took it and ran with it.
On the other hand, the NBCSN crews seem to have delight in the Penguins plight. It is amazing as I travel, at least east and Midwest, how the Penguins have become the single most hated organization in the league. And it ain't close. I blame a lot of this on the Comcast owned NBCSN crews and intermission/pregame employees.
"he has been goading Penguin management into some sort of reaction"... That would make him, what? A 4th line journalist. No real talent or skill but just out there to rile up the other team. Sounds about right
Lara
4-24-2015, 10:02 am
In regards to the Rossi situation I think Rossi should have never reported what Rutherford said. Rutherford was speaking his peace and having an off the record conversation. Rossi got his feelings hurt and wrote about it. His editor should have never allowed that article to post. Rossi has been wrong with the facts and should have been called out on it. Now he is re-tweeting articles that Rutherford hates business owners?!?! Rossi got his feelings hurt and wrote an article about it when it should have been kept in his diary.
There were a couple reporters in that elevator from my understanding. Not to mention who ever was in the hallway or equipment room on the way to the locker room.
If he doesn't report it and someone else does, how does that make him look? Catch 22.
Lara
4-24-2015, 12:14 pm
I get that but Rossi could have not reported it and then if questioned said it was private or that they worked it out. If this was any other reporter I would not be so hard on him, but he was anti-Rutherford since he was hired and has taken some mean hits at the guy. I'm not JR's biggest fan but Rossi is a drama queen
bpn8pitt
4-24-2015, 12:47 pm
I bet in the pre-Twitter, pre-sports blog days, before 24 hr sports TV and radio that could have been possible Lara. Maybe it could have swept under the rug.
It was just astonishing to me that when the story broke, it was discussed on every sports news outlet in this town. Probably fair to even speculate how much money was generated off of it.
The game has changed. That I have no doubt about when I started reading newspapers around 1990 or so.
Richii81
4-24-2015, 10:04 am
I know that GMJR was saddled with some tough circumstances in terms of contracts ect, however I am just not a fan. I do not have the confidence or trust in this fellas vision of where this team is going. As it has been said, if you don't learn from history, you repeat it. Look no further than this fellas track record, managling the cap, and you can see a paralell today from previous years in Carolina.
Great stuff DK. Enjoy all of your insights and updates. Just be wary of anything put out by Mel Kiper; the dude sleeps in Baltimore Ravens pajamas!! Seriously, he may be the most unabashed 'fanboy' for his favorite team that it's difficult to take him seriously. I trust and enjoy Mike Mayock, or McShay a million times more than Kiper.
Enjoyed the column DK. Insight is good and reporting is all fact, which I like. I'm still not sold on Johnston as a coach. Injuries are going to happen and you need to create backup plans and make them work. There is a learning curve but this started in mid-December and the Pens never regained any offensive prowess. A coach at the professional level needs to be able to adapt and I don't think Pens coaches did. The team is better than they have played and I hope they can get back to the performance level of the players on the roster. Thanks for the great column. Love your page!
I find humor in DK being the man to set the story straight, as I believe part of Rossi's constant agitating, contrarian approach is to generate interest in his columns since he's trying to fill the shoe's of one of the country's finest columnists
Seems there is either a major disconnect between upper management and the fan base,or disinformation is taking hold.
Upper management:
No major changes needed. Injuries have prevented Pens from reaching their natural level. Rutherford doing good job,not culpable with CAP fiasco. Johnston is fine and with a healthy lineup will be successful
Fan Base:
Been disappointed with even a healthy lineup. PP was zero for all attempts against Boston in 13, NY Ranger collapse was sadly not a surprise in 14. Crosby and Malkin have underperformed in the playoffs and the mobile swift Defense is exposed as vulnerable in playoff hockey.The back to back loses to Philly this season were nauseating and exposed a lack of character and team toughness. Rinaldo took out Letang laughed about it,and subsequently challenged the entire bench. Crickets. Try that against the Rangers,St Louis Anaheim, or even Montreal. Leadership seems void and team chemistry & the recipe ingredients have too much empty filler and sugar. Desperately need more salt and spice.
Conclusion:
Penguins sell a lot of merchandise,T.V. ratings are down but still lead the league. There is a significant waiting list for season tickets.In spite of poor contractual decisions, playoff collapses and disappointments, there is no incentive to make major changes. The fan base needs to turn away from the turnstiles and retail boutiques. This ownership seems fat and sassy and rather aloof. Time to say Thanks,but No Thanks. That's when change may occur.
Regarding JR and MJ, I think they'll be back, but I can't help but think that 66 will at least check in privately with Babcock. Philly and Toronto will offer massive deals, but would Babs really want to answer to Snider or take over a dumpster fire? My guess is that he resigns with Detroit or comes to Pittsburgh, the latter being a longshot. If that doesn't happen, the incumbents return without any official consideration being given to their replacement
Mark it right here: Toronto is going to make Babcock an offer he can't refuse. I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking $5-6 million and GM duties.
LGP6687
4-24-2015, 10:35 am
Regarding JR and MJ, I think they'll be back, but I can't help but think that 66 will at least check in privately with Babcock. Philly and Toronto will offer massive deals, but would Babs really want to answer to Snider or take over a dumpster fire? My guess is that he resigns with Detroit or comes to Pittsburgh, the latter being a longshot. If that doesn't happen, the incumbents return without any official consideration being given to their replacement
People have bad moments. With the exception of Dejan and his reporting, a lot of media forgets in this region that Shero stuck the Pens with a lot of bad contracts. Once again, I almost vomited when i saw the name despres in a comment. The Despres for Lovejoy trade was an exchange of third pairing defensemen. One had more experience and can play in more situations and the other has some potential but less experience. What critics like to forget is the fact that Rutherford traded a fringe NHLer in Bortuzzo who was a defensive liability for Ian Cole who looks at least like a great third pairing defensemen. Where's the talk about that deal? You're as only good as the hands you are dealt. I believe the management at the end of the season could had been better, but Between horrible moves by Shero and injuries, competitive games in a series is the best the Pens could had done this season
New name for Friday piece is Fantastic Friday Insider, or FFI in twitterese...
Man has the media model changed over the last 20 years. I don't think DK could have had this terrific site even 10 years ago, and that is for a number of reasons:
1. DK used another 10 years to build his "brand", critically important.
2. Costs to scale and reach 10k+ subs just wasn't there for ground up start up
3. Social Media was a germ of an idea, without this I don't think DKoPS is possible
4. Print media was just at the start of its decline
5. Smartphones didn't exist, at least as we know them today.
Flash forward to today and you have DKs growing and thriving community. Traditional media may or may not see this as a threat, but they are clearly trying to address the new media marketplace, and this is where I suspect how the Rossi column was allowed to reach print. The Trib wanted the click/eyeballs. Frankly, it's likely why they promoted Rossi to a columnist level about 5 years ahead of time. They did this tacitly knowing Rossi's proclivity to be overtly controversial.
Guess what, it worked. I'd bet a dollar to a donut that Rossi's GMJR column was the most clicked article to date. The talk shows are talking about, other reporters are commenting about it, mission accomplished. You may not like it, but it's the new reality in which we live. The hotly contested debate as to whether or not Rossi/Trib should have published has provided grand theater.
DK on Pittsburgh Sports is usually the first place that I read anything now related to sports here in town, but not the only place. I have no problem with DK jumping into the debate, the only issue that I have is that DK made the statement “impossible to defend things that are pure fiction.” Since that was brought up, I’d like to understand which items Rossi has posited that are “fiction.”
from hearing DK on MM on Wednesday I believe the fiction comes into play when Rossi describes GMJR as "blowing up" in the elevator. as DK mentions above GMJR'S comments/conversation was no more than a whisper directed directly as Rossi. Rossi made readers feel like he was attacked by a foaming/screaming GMJR...
Scott
4-24-2015, 2:57 pm
nfontana85, I do not believe that was what DK meant. The full quote is "And I actually can't believe it took @Penguins this long to act on it. Impossible to defend things that are pure fiction day after day." Things being plural and having to defend day after day implies multiple issues.
Dejan Kovacevic
4-24-2015, 5:10 pm
I have far, far better uses for my time than cross-checking the work of others in print. I wrote that because I was describing the source of the Penguins' anger and because, yes, I've been made aware of some. That's staying where it is.
Big Daddy
4-24-2015, 10:52 am
The reason why you are the BEST at what you do DK - is you tell it like it is. And thats why as we fans of Pittsburgh sports and readers of your site RESPECT that about you the most.......
I'd be curious on your take of the Price situation in Cincy. That one was more overt. It seems to me that your counterpart took the bait so to speak. It's not really news or opinion. It's personal, which if you plan on being around that kind of calling out of a conversation could have longer a deeper consequences.
I seem to recall an incident from a few years ago, Dejan, in which a Steelers player was overheard in the background of a video interview you were conducting with a different player. If I recall correctly, you didn't make any secret of the fact that the unseen player was LaMarr Woodley, and that he was presumably angry about some things you had written about him.
I'm curious about how you see that incident as being different from the Rossi column. I suppose you could say that yours wasn't published in as formal a setting, and that Woodley was aware he was on film, but the end result was still your readership's awareness that Woodley had a beef with you.
I realize I may be remembering some of these details incorrectly. I searched for, but was unable to find the blog post in question. Thoughts?
Speaking only to the Woodley incident, I actually had an active interview going, with the recorder out -- it was Jarvis Jones, if I recall -- and Woodley walked toward us and deliberately interjected himself into it.
These incidents have absolutely zero in common.
thomasfoster
4-24-2015, 11:50 am
Great read and insight, Dejan. While not perfect, most of your work from my viewpoint is fair, factual and neutrally insightful to all parties. Some writers provide comments, some report; I think you give us that and perspective that is balanced for the fans to understand.
My only comment on the Penguins coaching is, what would happen if Mike Babcock really become available and wanted to coach the Penguins?
This may not be directly specifically at your post, thomas, but a lot of people seem to take what DK reported as "there is no reason to fire these guys." The way I read it is he is reporting what he was told by people in the know (who should know) what the deal is. In GMJR's case he was given the reasoning, in the coach's instance he wasn't so in the latter he just reported what he trusted, which was that there were no plans to replace him. In GMJR's case he gave the reasoning he was told. At least that's my interpretation.
It's DK's site and he can do what he wants with it, but I found the "Good Guy" part a little odd in turning it into a dissertation on the recent conflict and journalism ethics, but that's just me. Especially after he says he really doesn't know whether Rutherford is a good guy other than what others say. It was still interesting, but struck me as a new use of it. The "good guys" seem to be Mario and DK. ;-)
Dejan Kovacevic
4-24-2015, 5:06 pm
For the most part, in the Insider feature, I try to steer clear of opinion. I'm not always successful.
lydickd
4-24-2015, 11:53 am
Today marks the last time will will read The Pens Blog. They pretty much hammered DK today, said he was a shill and that the insider was..oh who cares what they said. The last paragraph speaks volumes about DK and something that I value a lot. Integrity
It's not about hate and it shouldn't be personal. Men have jobs to do and how they do it is their business. Everyone in every walk of life make mistakes. In this particular instance perhaps 2 mistakes were made. At this point, it's time for all parties concerned to move on. Its time to go about the business of getting the Pittsburgh Penguins back on track, either this year or next,, and time to sell newspapers with accuracy and quality reporting. That is why I came here, accurate and quality reporting, I've been on board since just about day 1 and it is a decision I made that I don't regret.
I discovered your blog from your interview on Mark Madden and enjoy your work. Just began yesterday. I have a question before signing up & paying the miniscule fee ? I commented on this column perhaps approx 90 minutes ago?, and my comment is still being reviewed. I am concerned about your moderation and criteria for publishing. Is there a reason my comment on this column has not been published,and if so can you explain?
You submitted a comment, so it was published, Paul. This is the first I've seen it, as I just arrived at the Garden. The simple answer to your question: Comments from non-subscribers go into moderation. That's it.
Also, thanks for the consideration regarding the site.
As all subscribers here can attest, there's ZERO filtering of their comments.
Scott
4-24-2015, 7:03 pm
Zero filtering, fair and balanced discussion, at least between DK and subscriber.
I couldn't agree more JY. It's a great springboard to a weekend. Love it!
William Maloni
4-24-2015, 12:21 pm
DK--It might be implicit in your reporting on the Pens but what is the case for keeping JR and MJ?
Injuries happen to every professional team. Good team execs manage through that.
I am not sure the talent level acquired, the cap fiasco, the quality of forwards not named Crosby, Malkin, and Hornqvist, the in game strategy, the lame power play, etc, argue shout "retain us."
What's the best case for keeping t hem, since "injuries could hit them next year, too?
If I have listen carefully and accurately between the lines, it appears that the trade of James Neal and the trade of See-mon Depres both were ordered from above——above the General Manager. Jim Rutherford was given walking orders and he carried out both moves. Both seemed to do more with off-ice than on-ice issues.
One trade was very successful (an off-season evaluation and trade) and one rushed and less successful (a trade deadline rush, with cap implications involved.)
If you are able, please confirm/deny what I have inferred.
Pierre also said something like Downie should be benched for the next game for his antics after that hit. I remember thinking that was an odd thing for a commentator to say.
They do that all the time, and not just with Downie. I think that's appropriate commentary. The problem was inserting himself in the game. They aren't supposed to be helping the referees find penalties. That's way over the line. I hear them comment all the time that penalties were missed or should have or should not have been called after the fact. That's perfectly normal commentary.
frankkuchno
4-24-2015, 1:42 pm
DK,
Double billing??
Date Type Description Debit Credit Balance
Pending Misc. Debit POS DEBIT PAYPAL *DKPITTSBURG 4029357733 CA Link to more information in a new browser window. $4.00
04/22/2015 ACH Debit PAYPAL INST XFER DKPITTSBURG WEB ID: PAYPALSI77 $4.00 $842.86
DK, finally subscribed from down here in the ATL! I knew there was a standard of integrity and professionalism, that I am sure, is intended to circumvent Hubris. I imagine that even though you express opinion based on fact, in the end, if you do not maintain a level of objectivity, then your writing is compromised. Hence not a fan of the teams, but someone who enjoys how our sports play into the context of being from Pittsburgh! I can tell you enjoy telling the story of that especially in those video snippets, where I can see how the human element comes into play, like this latest snippet on Andrew Lambo!!! Well done. Other outlets have alienated me of late, but I hope as the popularity of this site grows, and your coverage broadens, that those outlets will see that integrity means a lot! Analogy wise it is like a rock band! David Lee Roth slid int obscurity after Van Halen, but Sting flew to new heights after the Police. Soar high my friend!
RE: DLR
If obscurity you mean having a double platinum album follow up by a platinum album, then we should all be so lucky.
diberdiber
4-24-2015, 2:18 pm
Excellent column, DK! That alone was worth the price of a subscription. As I kept reading and scrolling, it kept getting better and better. I was sorry to see it end! Please keep up the great work.
In the end, Mario and the ownership have to view the performance of the product on the ice and since 2009, it continues on a downward slide with this year hitting the lowest point. So, do the owners remove their egos and decide JR and MJ were not right hires and fire them after one year or let this play out and another year will go by.....No matter what story lines you create or whether they win or lose tonight, this is not a franchise headed in the right direction.
IF you can get a Mike Babcock, then go get him and a GM and get this team headed back in the right direction. There are enough good players here to do that especially with the returning defensemen. What they need is younger faster forwards....As you did many times in your playing career, leadership is required NOW to get this franchise moving in the right direction
When's the last time Babcock won a Stanley Cup? Look at his track record since '09, has hasn't even been back to the Conference Finals. This isn't to let GMJR off the hook, or HCMJ. I think GMJR had a mandate to go for the brass ring this year and frankly, there were more holes than Morehouse thought. Greiss, Erhoff & Winnik were just not good moves. Gave up too much and or spent too much. The Spalling contract for a 4th liner is a joke, but Horny, and to lesser degrees, Perron & Cole trades were good deals. I'd give GMJR a C+ for a letter grade.
Todd Smith
4-24-2015, 3:52 pm
@Scott...He did win a medal last year...I think it was gold.
Scott
4-24-2015, 7:06 pm
Gold medal with the Most talented team assembled in the entire world. That's not the reality in the NHL. Team Canada would likely be double the CAP.
Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
4-24-2015, 3:30 pm
Dejan's assertion about Pierre McGuire presently the discussion on Joe Starkey show on Fan.
Starkey has treated Dejan's assertion with creditability (not necessarily agreement), while Chris Mueller treats it as outlandish.
I usually have disdain for Chris Mueller but . . . .
Arriba Wilver
4-24-2015, 3:49 pm
Thanks, Groat. I missed what Pierre said, but I wonder if there is a bit of Trib-DK feud going on. They are presenting it as if DK said McGuire did it to steer the game in the Rangers favor. Reading is fundamental. DK didn't say that unless I missed it. It also doesn't appear Starkey or Mueller have watched the clip DK is talking about, but think that it couldn't have happened and/or even if it did it wasn't to favor the Rangers. Maybe I'm just dense.
I guess this is what they are focusing on: "It’s not about overt favoritism. That happens. It’s about interfering with the actual game — in any way — toward assisting one team over another." I took that kind of as a generic comment, not that he intentionally set out to favor the Rangers. I know some people drew that conclusion, but I don't think that was the intent.
Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
4-24-2015, 3:56 pm
Wilver Dornel,
McGuire sent Starkey a profanity laden tweet, denying all, and saying "someone was crazy" to suggest that.
Arriba Wilver
4-24-2015, 4:50 pm
Thanks, Groat. Interesting that no one commenting yet, including Starkey and Mueller, have seen the clip that's being talked about. I wonder what Starkey's e-mail to McGuire said. Based on what has been said so far, Starkey is saying DK said McGuire did it intentionally to influence the game in the Ranger's favor. Like I said, I didn't read it that way, just that if you insert yourself in the game on one play, it obviously is going to be in favor of one over the other. In keeping with the theme of the insider, it wasn't professional. Everything else is drawing conclusions.
If anybody in Penguins management thinks next season will be a different story regarding man games lost to injury, disease, diagnosis or serendipity, they haven't been paying attention. Man games lost to injury is as natural off the tongue when discussing this team as a 2 on 1 rush that doesn't result in a shot.
Was I reading too much into the personal v professional comment, when I took away GMJR, all be it wrong, went personal and should have been left personal but what Rossi did was unprofessional by blasting a personal beef?
I live on Guam and I do NOT get the Friday Insider until Saturday morning, and we (it is just me, but I have multiple personalities) are sick and tired of being overlooked, ignored and marginalized by the constant reference to this weekly feature as the "FRIDAY INSIDER", without any regard for those of us (again, it's just me) who receive this on Saturday!
We will be oppressed no more, we will be heard! We(I) demand that DK change the name to: "Friday Insider, and for those who live east of the international dateline, Saturday Insider". It is 2015 and EVERYONE must feel important and recognized.
Sorry folks, just bored, can't get the Pens game here and the Bucs don't start for 90 minutes cause they are in Arizona.
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, born and bred Pittsburgher and professional sports writer since 1990, was named one of the nation's top four columnists by the Associated Press Sports Editors (2011) and National Headliners (2013).
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
DK on Pittsburgh Sports is a subscription site. One month is $4, one year $24, three years $54. That last level is just $1.50 per month. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
April 24, 2015
Friday Insider: Setting Penguins’ record straight
241by Dejan Kovacevic • Friday Insider • Tags: Penguins, Pirates, Steelers
Jim Rutherford was hired by the Penguins as general manager last summer. — GETTY
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
HARRISBURG — Roundup of a lot of randomness from a lot of time around our teams …
• Sometimes in this business, you hear whispers, rumor, second-hand or third-hand word, and it’s difficult to discern what’s worth putting out to the public and what isn’t.
Not so with the following information I received yesterday afternoon: The Penguins absolutely, positively, unequivocally have no plan to remove Jim Rutherford and/or Mike Johnston, regardless of how the season ends.
This comes straight from the top. No middleman. No room for misinterpretation.
What’s more, the team has no expectation that Rutherford, 66, will resign or retire.
The broader stance, again straight from the top, is that the 2014-15 team has been besieged by key injuries, particularly on defense — where three of the top four players were lost in Kris Letang, Christian Ehrhoff and Olli Maatta — and that this facet has been more responsible for the team’s flat finish. The name cited most often, actually, is that of Maatta. Not because he’s seen as more important than Letang but because he was lost so early and forced Johnston to alter his breakouts and puck-support systems to something that didn’t require above-average mobile defensemen.
The stance on Rutherford is that most of his many trades were good, and that’s pretty much indisputable, I’d say. He took his biggest gamble right away in getting Patric Hornqvist for James Neal, and Hornqvist has been exemplary in every way even as the Predators have been happy with Neal. He invested a first-round pick in now-struggling David Perron, but the Penguins see him as a potential 30-goal scorer once he gets back to shooting pucks without first needing to read ‘War and Peace.’ Trades for Daniel Winnik, Nick Spaling and the like haven’t looked as attractive as they might, the stance goes, had they not been forced to play top-six roles due to injury. Pluggers should plug. Maxim Lapierre was added because he was expected to be a better playoff performer than Marcel Goc, which he has been by a mile. Acquiring Ian Cole for Robert Bortuzzo has been an outright heist. And even the one trade that doesn’t look good from a hockey standpoint, Ben Lovejoy for Simon Despres, is viewed without regret for reasons beyond hockey pertaining to both men.
One area where I strongly differ from the front office — vociferously, actually — is that they feel Rutherford wasn’t to blame for the late-season cap fiasco, as it involved what they feel was an extraordinary, worst-case circumstance in Letang and Ehrhoff both going down. It says here that covering for worst-case scenarios is part of the job.
I don’t have nearly as clear a view about the stance on Johnston, other than that he’s safe, so I won’t speculate as to why that sentiment exists.
Short version: No blowup is on the horizon. Not this summer.
See the Game 4 column for more about what to expect instead.
• The man held responsible for the hole dug, especially in the organization as related to depth and youth, very much remains Ray Shero. That’s as it should be.
• Know that plans for 2015-16 will include giving Taylor Chorney a real chance. He has impressed not only Johnston, who fairly glows about him, but also his teammates.
“The guy,” Marc-Andre Fleury told me, “is just everywhere, so smart, quick, good with the puck.”
• Olli Maatta is living and dying with the Penguins shift to shift, from high overhead. It’s no fun seeing him up in the press box, for obvious reasons, but it’s been telling about his passion and team spirit.
• What in the world would have compelled NBC color commentator Pierre McGuire, during Game 1 at the Garden and in between the benches, to raise his right arm to call attention to a referee while Steve Downie was crosschecking one of the Rangers in front of him?
It requires reading body language, but McGuire looked disgusted by what he was witnessing and his motion was suggesting to the ref something like, ‘Hey, are you seeing this?’
The network, of course, didn’t air this. But it could be seen on the in-house feed at the Garden, which is available to media covering the event.
If the Penguins can get a copy of this footage to corroborate, they’d have every grounds to ask NBC to remove McGuire from future broadcasts. It’s not about overt favoritism. That happens. It’s about interfering with the actual game — in any way — toward assisting one team over another.
I’ll put out a request right here, in fact: If anyone has access to this footage, please contact this site, and I’ll publish it in full context for everyone to see.
A brief snow squall hit PNC Park during the Pirates’ game against the Cubs on Wednesday. — GETTY
• When Arquimedes Caminero pitched for the Pirates in that brief snow squall Wednesday at PNC Park, a new level of difficulty for hitting a baseball might have been born, as he achieved 101 mph on the gun while snow-sleet blinded every batter he faced.
But something else might have been born, too.
“Snowman!” Caminero exclaimed my way yesterday after the win over the Cubs.
When I sought clarification, the big man explained that when his inning was done, Vance Worley playfully dubbed him “The Snowman” and that others in the clubhouse have caught on.
That’s tremendous, right?
“I kind of like it,” he answered with a grin. “You know, you want to be cool out there.”
And snow is … yeah.
“Yeah.”
• If you were watching at the yard or even on TV and wondered what Caminero was using for swing-and-miss pitches the past couple nights, know that he’s got two — a split-change and a cutter — which look basically the same coming out of his hand but take completely different routes.
He leaned on the splitty Wednesday, the cutter yesterday, mixing in the heat presumably to amuse himself.
• Two ridiculous minutes with Andrew Lambo, including stuff on his hitting the other way with authority yesterday, his confidence and his defending Crosby from the critics:
Not everyone picks up on hitting to the opposite field, by the way, at least not until it’s too late. Lambo has been OK going oppo in the minors, but he’s needed to improve significantly in the majors.
I asked McCutchen about that: “You can get away with a lot in the minors, even up to the high minors. But once you get up here, with how you get pitched, you’ve got no choice. What he did today is what he’s got to do, what anybody’s got to do.”
Asked Hurdle, too: “Andrew knows now that he’s got to do that with some pitches. And he is. It’s a great sign from him, and it’s great to see something to help his confidence a little.”
• Apologies in advance if this is getting repetitive, but this is the best clubhouse I’ve been around in a decade of covering the Pirates. And I’m saying that in the sports sense, not whether or not they’re swell guys or give good interviews. I’m talking about their tightness.
At some point this summer, that will be worth a full column with descriptive material.
• It’s instructive that Le’Veon Bell last night told NFL Network during a studio visit that his knee is now “close to 100 percent.” He added: “I’m probably about 85-90 percent, been able to run on it a little bit. So I’m getting back to working out a little.”
Just a reminder: Bell was expected by some to have at least a small chance to play that very weekend in the playoff game against the Ravens. And if not then, almost certainly the following week. Bell himself told reporters, including me in some questioning away from the pack, that he was positive he’d be ready in the event of a win.
But here were are, four months later, and it still isn’t fully healthy.
Maybe it’s just as well the Steelers didn’t advance.
• Following a Bell item with one about ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. might be in obvious bad taste, given their little social media flare-up this past fall, but hey: As close as anyone gets to hard, verifiable draft news is by following those who invest 362 days of the year into the three that encompass the draft, so it’s telling that in the live mock draft last night between Kiper and Todd McShay — one taking even-numbered selections, the other taking odd — Kiper chose UConn corner Byron Jones with the Steelers’ No. 22 pick.
That’s mostly notable because, in previous mocks, Kiper had the Steelers taking another corner, Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson, but this time he dropped Johnson and had the Ravens taking him at No. 26.
This sort of thing tends to happen only when new information about teams’ preference becomes known. And that makes sense, if you think about it, considering neither Jones nor Johnson are participating in any games or combines these days to rise or fall.
As long as it’s a corner.
• Good dude: Rutherford.
No, I’m not going to stir all this up anew. This is mostly about the GM himself.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the continent’s unquestioned finest hockey reporter, was speaking on Canadian television this week after the much-discussed incident, and he called Rutherford “a man I’ve known for a very long time and am fortunate to call a friend” as well as “one of the best men I know.”
Rutherford did something dumb. I was there. I saw it. I heard it. What’s more, he initiated it. The correct course of action for the GM would have been to request, either through media relations or with the reporter directly, an audience to air out grievances. Like a private Festivus, if you will. I’ve had such requests more times than I can count, and almost always, they resulted in at least an understanding of the other side’s position, if not an appreciation.
That didn’t happen here. Rutherford was in the heat of a devastating loss, in a packed elevator, and he was right there against someone he’d have been better off not seeing in that particular setting and mood. And so, after exiting that elevator and taking a few steps, he turned and said something nasty. It wasn’t loud. He wasn’t shouting. In fact, it was barely audible, even to the only other person nearby at this stage, that being me.
Rutherford blew it. He did.
But it happens.
It happens all the time in covering sports, especially at the major-league level, where so much is on the line, so much time and energy invested.
It’s up to any media outlet to cover stuff like this as they please. At this site, the policy will be what it’s always been for me, and that’s this: I cover the news. And if I report to to you every time someone’s mad at me — which, again, happens all the time — then you begin to doubt whether or not I can continue covering a certain individual or team. To me, that tradeoff isn’t worth it. I’d rather try harder to reconnect relations or, if need be, continue covering without the cooperation of the individual at hand. I’ve done that, too. Many, many times. I’ve no doubt in my mind, for example, that about half the front office of the local baseball team still despises me for the ‘Hoka Hey’ reporting a few years back. It doesn’t change a thing. I still communicate with them, still do my job, and they do likewise.
An even bigger example was the single biggest exclusive of my career, that being when I learned that the Penguins had secretly voted Mario Lemieux a $10 million raise during their bankruptcy period, potentially at the cost of paying back small-time creditors. (They eventually paid back every penny.)
Lemieux saw me on the morning that blared across the top of the Post-Gazette’s front page. I was sitting with Herb Brooks in his office at the Civic Arena. Lemieux paused by the doorway, made eye contact and said: “Who was your source? Because I’m going to have to kill him.”
Lemieux could have hated my guts for all time. He didn’t. He cracked that joke, winked and kept walking. We continue to have a great mutual trust to this day. He knew I had a job to do, and I did it.
Personal stuff in either direction doesn’t — or shouldn’t — affect any praise or criticism a journalist makes. That’s why it’s personal and not professional.
Rutherford went personal. That stunk.
But it’s also the case that he had a bad isolated moment with a reporter he felt has been out to get him and the Penguins for nearly a year. It wasn’t, as some have stated, about being sensitive to being criticized. Not from the team’s viewpoint. Rather, it’s about things being portrayed as facts that the team believes are not facts.
I’ve ripped the Penguins repeatedly over the past season, including the front office and medical stuff for their near-comical butchering of the mumps mess. In fact, I was the only writer in town to do so. The team didn’t welcome the criticism. They didn’t enjoy it. But they also didn’t complain at all, presumably because there was nothing factually incorrect.
The only reason I piped up this week — and long-time readers can attest I very rarely address anything related to local media — was that I didn’t like how Rutherford was being portrayed from an accuracy standpoint. I don’t know the man well at all, to be honest. We most certainly aren’t friends. But wrong is wrong.
Share this: