After the first weekend of free agency, the Penguins look like a team that has painted themselves in a salary cap-colored corner. Pittsburgh signed Rob Scuderi to a four year deal worth $3.375 million, annually, then found a way to extend Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams. After all the hoopla created by the fans and media over major changes coming based on the fallout of the Boston series, the Penguins will looking very similar to last year's team before the trade deadline. The problem, ... Read More
Archives for July 2013
Pitt Women Add Two
Suzie McConnell-Serio looked to one of the strongest programs in the state of Pennsylvania over the past several years to pick up her first two recruits at Pitt by getting verbal commitments from Naje Gibson and Cassidy Walsh this past week. Both Gibson and Walsh play at Seton LaSalle High School and have been starters since they have been freshmen. Seton Las Salle is one of the strongest girl’s basketball programs in the state of Pennsylvania and have only lost two games in the past two ... Read More
General Managers: The “Good” and “Bad”
Ray Shero is the standard for General Managers not just in the NHL but in all major sports across the board. Shero continues to make good, solid decisions for the Pens organization. Paul Holmgren should start taking notes as he has the Flyers looking lost and desperate . Shero has been under a lot of pressure after four disappointing exits from the playoffs but instead of making drastic changes, he stuck to the plan and continues to show why he is so widely respected throughout the league. Paul ... Read More
The Second Half Begins
As the Pirates cross the half way point and finish up the last few games before the All Star break we can take a look back at what has been done, and a look forward to what is still left to be accomplished. The Pirates have flirted with legitimacy the last two seasons but never in the way they are doing now. They are beginning to get some national media attention, and nationally televised games. This last week they topped the ESPN power poll after a dominating week of baseball that saw them ... Read More
Pittsburgh Power Lose To Division Rival Cleveland 71-58
The Pittsburgh Power (3-12) had to feel fairly confident heading into their divisional matchup against the Cleveland Gladiators (3-12), after all this was one team they were ahead of in the standings and had defeated earlier in the season. Not anymore. The Power got off to a great start by forcing a goal line fumble by Gladiator quarterback Chris Dieker. It took the Power exactly one play on offense, a 42 yard strike from Steven Sheffield to Julian Talley and just like that it was 7-0 Power. ... Read More
Pirates’ Bats Sputter, Fall to Cubs
Wrigley Field - On a day that saw four Pirates get selected to the All-Star Game, the Buccos offense was less than stellar. Two Alfonso Soriano home runs off Charlie Morton and a quality start from Cubs' starter Edwin Jackson vaulted Chicago over Pittsburgh 4-1. The Pirates offense could only muster one extra base hit, a Pedro Alvarez home run, and their only run of the contest. The Pirates seemed to have something going in the first inning after a Marte single, steal, and Jackson wild pitch ... Read More
Alvarez, Three Others Named To All-Star Game
Pedro Alvarez, Andrew McCutchen, Jason Grilli, and Jeff Locke have been selected to participate in the 2013 MLB All-Star Game. Alvarez, elected as a reserve, has continued to be the Pirates' best source of power with a team-leading 21 home runs and 56 RBIs. That is good enough for third and tied for sixth in the NL, respectively. McCutchen, also making an appearance as a reserve, continues to be one of the best multi-tool players in baseball. The centerfielder came into today hitting .298 with ... Read More
All 22: Making a Name on Special Teams
For most, offense and defense are the only aspects of football that get much fanfare. Special teams tends to take a backseat. To an extent, it’s understandable; outside of a few flashy return men, this group is made up of unsung heroes that barely register on the stat sheet. But don’t take them for granted. If you’re a fan, a bad day here can cost your team a victory (Steelers’ fans can certainly attest). If you’re Vince Williams or Terry Hawthorne trying to make a roster or keep your hat on ... Read More
Realistic trade targets for the Pirates to inquire about at the deadline
I know, you all want Giancarlo Stanton. The guy is a 23-year-old monster slugger who could legitimately hit over 25 home runs for the Pirates between July 31 and September 29. He is only making $537,000 this season, but his arbitration kicks in after 2013 and he is due to end up making somewhere upwards of $15 million per season until he becomes a free agent in 2017. Stanton is the Cabbage Patch Kid under the tree in 1985; the shiny new toy that could turn the Pirates from a great story into ... Read More
Pascal Dupuis Re-Signs With Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced late Tuesday the re-signing of forward Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis signed a four year contract worth $15 million. CBC’s Eddie Friedman reports the deal also comes with a limited no-movement clause. Dupuis was acquired in the 2008 Marian Hossa deal that sent Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen along with a prospect and a first round pick to Atlanta. Armstrong spent just over two seasons with Atlanta before signing with the Maple Leafs in 2010 and spending last ... Read More