Mark Madden stories, Page 22
Mark Madden: Nikola Jokic showed dominance, but LeBron grabs headlines
LeBron James got his backside handed to him by Nikola Jokic in the NBA playoffs. Denver eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games. James, 38, was very good. Jokic, 28, was utterly dominant. But, in the immediate aftermath, James pondered whether he’d retire. The media swarmed like piranha....
Mark Madden: A user’s guide for Penguins GM candidates
If you’re one of those who might get the Pittsburgh Penguins GM job, here’s a user’s guide: • Be the boss. The Penguins haven’t won a playoff series since 2018. They need your ideas. You don’t need theirs. Insist on having complete power over personnel and input on coaching. You’ll...
Mark Madden: Attendance doesn’t lie when it comes to Brittney Griner’s return to WNBA
Brittney Griner made her return to the WNBA on Friday when her Phoenix team visited Los Angeles. Griner missed the 2022 season while she was imprisoned 10 months in Russia for carrying a controlled substance (cannabis vape cartridges) through a Moscow airport. Vice President Kamala Harris attended. So did tennis...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Jim Brown remembered as best football player ever
Few sports have a player who unequivocally can be declared the game’s best ever. Hockey produces a debate between Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr. With basketball it’s LeBron James and Michael Jordan. In baseball, options are plentiful: Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, etc....
Mark Madden: After maintaining solid QB room, what should Steelers expect from Kenny Pickett?
As a wise old veteran of sports media once told me: When in doubt, write/talk about the quarterback. That’s always been a go-to in the Pittsburgh market. The Steelers re-upping third-stringer Mason Rudolph generated headlines, clicks and conversation. Extending backup Mitch Trubisky’s contract did the same, but more. Both moves...
Mark Madden: Steelers smart to keep Mason Rudolph but also need to retain Mitch Trubisky
Refreshing sports notes seem a worthy method of celebrating Mason Rudolph still being a Steeler. He can’t return because he never left. • Mason Rudolph’s re-signing with the Steelers gives him a job but also reveals that no other team considered him worthy to compete for a No. 2 spot....
Mark Madden: If the Rangers want Mike Sullivan, the Penguins should consider a trade
The New York Rangers want Mike Sullivan to be their coach. The New York media that stooges for the Rangers have leaked that. But Sullivan is under contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins through 2027. That doesn’t discourage the Rangers’ stooges, who somehow think the Rangers matter despite a first-round playoff...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Having all 3 Watt brothers makes sense for Steelers, at right price
Retired future Hall-of-Famer J.J. Watt schmoozed Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Twitter. Watt called Tomlin “an incredible coach and incredible man,” adding that “there’s a reason your players would run through a brick wall for you.” Watt didn’t offer a reason why Tomlin’s players haven’t won a playoff game for...
Mark Madden: Stanley Cup playoffs should be a showcase, but this display is terrible
Let’s be blunt about the NHL playoffs. They’ve been awful so far. • Too many lopsided games. • Terrible goaltending. (Today’s NHL has so few good goalies.) • Two of the best teams got eliminated in the first round, namely regular-season champ Boston and defending Stanley Cup winner Colorado. As...
Mark Madden: With Penguins committed to winning now, they should trade No. 14 pick
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t win the Connor Bedard lottery, not least because they couldn’t. Nor did rivals Philadelphia or Washington. They could have. So, there’s that. The Penguins got the 14th pick in the first round. That’s the equivalent of a scratch-off ticket winning you another scratch-off ticket. (Bedard probably...
Mark Madden: Steelers would be smart to pursue edge rusher Kyle Van Noy
If refreshing sports notes are wrong, you don’t want to be right! Something for everybody! • Pro Football Focus projects the Pittsburgh Steelers as a possible landing spot for free-agent veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy. Sounds like a good idea. Fourth-round draft pick Nick Herbig isn’t a known commodity....
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: If the Steelers want a new stadium, they’ll get it
In 1997, 11 counties in Western Pennsylvania voted against new stadiums for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates being built via public funding. They were built anyway. Using public funding. The idea of a new stadium for the Steelers will be mooted sooner than you think. Three Rivers Stadium operated from...
Mark Madden: Ke’Bryan Hayes is a brilliant fielder, but Pirates need more from his bat
Now that the Pittsburgh Pirates don’t stink for the first time in a while, it’s time to discuss them like a real baseball team. Weak links can be questioned and dissected. Is third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes a weak link? Hayes will keep playing even if that’s the case. He signed...
Mark Madden: Seeing former Penguins succeed in playoffs puts spotlight on Ron Hextall’s mistakes
Defenseman John Marino had two assists and was plus-4 in New Jersey’s Game 7 victory over the New York Rangers. Marino and the Devils play Carolina in the NHL playoffs’ second round and have a good shot to beat the banged-up Hurricanes. Marino is 25. The Penguins traded him to...
Mark Madden: After strong NFL Draft, pressure for Steelers’ success falls on Kenny Pickett
The Pittsburgh Steelers had an excellent draft. It’s not quite 1974 when they drafted four Hall of Famers. But it was clinical. It filled need after need. It didn’t fill every need. The Steelers are weak at inside linebacker. They need a center better than Mason Cole to have the...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Spurning young players for veterans could continue to cost Penguins
We don’t know who the Pittsburgh Penguins’ next GM, president of hockey operations, etc. will be. But here’s a situation that needs to be considered. Penguins prospect (they don’t have many) Filip Hallander is no longer a Penguins prospect. His contract is expiring. He’s a restricted free agent as per...
Mark Madden: From power play to structure, Penguins are far from playoff caliber
The Stanley Cup playoffs are showing what’s wrong with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and not just in terms of talent and depth. Edmonton is converting on the power play 57.1% of the time during the postseason, an absurdly high rate. Like the Penguins, the Oilers’ man-advantage unit has mega-stars — even...
Mark Madden: Bad headlines detract from NHL’s good stories during Stanley Cup playoffs
There’s been some dissatisfaction with the refereeing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. As ex-player Scottie Upshall advised the refs via Twitter: “Put the whistles away. Let games be decided five-on-five. Tougher/bloodier teams win.” Upshall, a winger, got drafted sixth overall in 2003. He cracked 20 goals just once in his...
Mark Madden: It’s easy to see Pirates navigating a .500 season
Refreshing Pirates notes. I haven’t done this for a long time because the Pirates haven’t been relevant for a long time. So here goes: • At 16-7, it’s hard to imagine the Pirates stumbling to 90 losses. It’s easy to see them navigating a .500 season. But that might change...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Why isn’t Bucco Fever spreading faster?
The Pittsburgh Pirates returned from a 5-2 road trip that ended with a three-game sweep at Denver to play in front of a mere 14,051 at PNC Park this past Thursday. Bucco Fever isn’t spreading that quick. Perhaps people still are wearing masks. Or maybe the inevitable reality of 162...
Mark Madden: Don’t rule out Steelers making insane decision during NFL Draft
The NFL wants to be everywhere 24/7/365. To be a constant in the news cycle. The NFL Draft is proof of the league achieving that. The draft used to take place in hotel ballrooms with GMs clutching legal pads. But in 1980, fledgling all-sports network ESPN wanted to televise the...
Mark Madden: Trading up is right move for Steelers, who need to draft a great player
The Pittsburgh Steelers are stuck in the mushy middle. Finish middle, draft middle, stay middle. That happens when you set the bar at your coach never having a losing season. The biggest worry is “draft middle.” Drafting high is how you escape the cycle. But finishing middle doesn’t allow that....
Mark Madden: Peace must be made between Fenway Sports Group, Penguins icon Mario Lemieux
On Friday, Fenway Sports Group’s Dave Beeston gave the impression that the new Pittsburgh Penguins ownership was reconciling with the old Penguins ownership, namely franchise legend Mario Lemieux. President of business operations Kevin Acklin said Lemieux had talked directly to FSG. CBS Sports posted this headline: “Penguins ownership expects Mario...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Penguins have to extend or trade Jake Guentzel this offseason
The Penguins’ offseason will be one of difficult decisions. One of the primary ones involves winger Jake Guentzel. Guentzel, 28, is heading into the last year of a contract that pays $6 million annually. He had a quietly effective season, collecting 36 goals and 37 assists in 78 games. Listed...
Mark Madden: Here’s a starting point for the Penguins’ next GM to fix this mess
As the Pittsburgh Penguins begin a crucial and difficult offseason, a lot must change. It started with GM Ron Hextall and president of hockey ops Brian Burke being fired. A good replacement GM won’t be easily found. It’s not an attractive job: An elderly roster encumbered by eight players with...
