July 8, 2015
Morning Java: Whither women’s team sports?
This week’s Morning Java tries figure out the Cardinals, the Penguins’ fourth-line vacancies and the great gap between women’s team sports internationally and nationally.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Meghan Klingenberg, right, and Becky Sauerbrunn take the stars and stripes for a lap Sunday in Vancouver. -- GETTY
July 7, 2015
Tuesday 10 Qs: Meghan, Phil, Kelvin, PEDs
Thanks to all who submitted 171 Qs Monday, and without any ado …
Jeffreygray10: Considering some local athletes are at the height of the sports world right now, i.e. Meghan Klingenberg and Brandon Saad, who is the best athlete to come from Pittsburgh? So many names popping up in my head. Since you’ve covered everything from badminton to Stanley Cups from Bloomfield to Beijing, I’d love to hear your choice.
DK: Wow, not starting easy this week, huh?
Well, it’s a powerful question and, obviously, one that has nothing close to a correct answer, whether from me or anyone else. That’s partly because of the huge field involved but also because of different values assigned to the athleticism involved in sports.
July 6, 2015
Podcast: All pucks on Penguins 24/7
Here’s the podcast of my weekly appearance on Penguins Radio 24/7, the team’s online HD station, with Brian Metzer. We talked Phil Kessel, line combos, all that.
Jim Rutherford, seated at the Penguins' table at the NHL Draft last weekend in Sunrise, Fla. -- GETTY
July 3, 2015
Friday Insider: Rutherford shows who’s boss
Jim Rutherford had a boss kind of week.
And not just because of the Phil Kessel trade, though it’s become almost universal consensus continent-wide that he pulled off an absolute heist in adding one of the NHL’s top five wingers, doing so at an affordable rate, not giving up any of his top young defensemen, and not sending out anyone of value save, perhaps, Kasperi Kapanen.
All of that was awesome, sure, but Rutherford actually was boss in another, bigger way.
First, some context: When Rutherford, his four lieutenants and the coaches present engaged in that now-infamous hour-long discussion at the draft table last weekend in Sunrise, Fla., they raised way more antennas than they should have. Fact is, such events occur all the time, and much more spirited and emotional than that one. Those happened under Ray Shero. They happen under Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin over on the South Side. They happen under Neal Huntington on the North Shore.
My goodness, I’ve heard tales, specifically related to the Pirates, about disagreements at meetings like that one that would blow your mind. People screaming, pointing fingers, storming out of the room.
Phil Kessel was acquired Wednesday from the Maple Leafs as part of a mammoth trade. -- GETTY
July 2, 2015
Kessel: ‘I’m just so excited, man … I really am’
Spoke with Phil Kessel just a bit ago by phone. Outstanding conversation. Can’t say enough about how professional, fun and genuinely moved he sounded to be coming to Pittsburgh.
The highlights:
• On the trade: “Oh, I’m just so excited, man. I really am. For it to be Pittsburgh … with everything that franchise has meant and two of the best players in the world there … I never would have thought I’d have the chance to play with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, to play on a team like the Penguins. It’s just amazing. I’m so pumped.”
July 2, 2015
Podcast: Talking Kessel on TSN 1050 in Toronto
Here’s the podcast of my guest appearance on TSN 1050 in Toronto with hosts Dave Saylor and Steve Simmons. It was Phil Kessel, front to finish, as one would have anticipated.
July 2, 2015
Podcast: Penguins, Pirates on 970 ESPN
Here’s the podcast of my weekly appearance on 970 ESPN with David Todd, this one covering the Penguins’ moves, the Pirates’ sweep and a good bit more.
Phil Kessel shoots through the Canadiens' Nathan Beaulieu during an April game in Toronto. -- GETTY
July 2, 2015
Matt’s Stats: Kessel’s rifle has the range
Normally, when evaluating NHL transactions this time of year, the math is rather simple: Is Player X worth Y amount of dollars over Z number of years?
Not so with the Penguins’ acquisition of proven sniper Phil Kessel from Toronto. In this case, we have more complicated calculus to consider, what with six players and three conditional draft picks changing hands, plus the fact that the Maple Leafs will retain 15 percent of Kessel’s contract.
But let’s forget all of that for now and look at what we can expect the 27-year-old Kessel to produce while wearing a Penguins crest, presumably over the next seven seasons:
Paul Martin skates off after the Rangers eliminated the Penguins from the playoffs. -- GETTY
July 1, 2015
Analysis: Roster review after Penguins’ big day
DETROIT — It’s been quite an explosive day for the Penguins. Here’s a look at who’s coming to Pittsburgh, who’s leaving, and why each of the transactions took place.
First, a look at the dearly departed:
Paul Martin
New team: Sharks
New contract: 4 years, $19.4 million
Why it happened: The Penguins loved Martin, thought about keeping him and would have if certain circumstances presented themselves. But they wouldn’t have been able to afford Phil Kessel if they kept Martin. They’ve spent a ton of money on their blue line for many years. It was an organizational decision to place more money at forward and to finally let some young guys play.
Was letting him go the right move? Yes. I appreciate Martin as a player and a person. Great fit with the Penguins, and they will miss him. But the time was right for everyone to part ways.
July 8, 2015
Podcast: Cutch, Kessel on 105.9 the X
by Dejan Kovacevic • Podcasts • Penguins, Pirates
Here’s the podcast of my weekly appearance at the 105.9 the X studios with Mark Madden, in which we discussed weird Root interviews, Andrew McCutchen, Phil Kessel, more.
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