First Call: 6 teams high on Steelers' receiver; Giants like Mitch Trubisky; Brian Burke challenges Kasperi Kapanen

Thursday’s “First Call” sees heavy interest in a quarterback the Pittsburgh Steelers might want to sign and a wide receiver they may want to keep.

Brian Burke refuses to mince words about a struggling Penguins forward. The Washington Capitals lose, but still gain ground on the Penguins.

And a blossoming Pittsburgh auto racing star continues to make waves.

Saying it straight

Appearing on the Penguins Radio Network “GM/Coaches Show,” Pens president of hockey operations Brian Burke had a blunt assessment of winger Kasperi Kapanen.

“We need him to do more. It’s that simple,” Burke told host Josh Getzoff. “He’s trying. He’s a good person. He’s working hard. But he is not getting enough done. We need more from him. I don’t usually single guys out, but we need more from Kappy.”

Burke’s comments echo those of Mike Sullivan after the squad’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The head coach has demoted Kapanen from Evgeni Malkin’s line numerous times in recent weeks.

“I don’t know if I have an answer for you,” Sullivan said when asked what to do about Kapanen’s struggles. “I’m trying to make decisions behind the bench, game-to-game, that (will) give our team the best chance to win. … We’ll see where it goes moving forward.”

Kapanen hasn’t scored a goal in 17 games. He had just one assist in February and one more in March.

New York state of mind

Many Steelers fans who have their eyes set on a mid-range, short-term, stop-gap, roll-of-the-dice, free-agent quarterback with potential upside have honed in on Buffalo Bills backup Mitch Trubisky.

Apparently, though, so have many others in the NFL. Projections have him making in excess of $10 million next year, even though he spent all of 2021 as just a backup in Buffalo. One such team who may be pushing the envelope — perhaps an envelope stuffed with lots of cash — is the New York Giants.

According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com, “The New York Giants are expected to make a run at free agent Mitchell Trubisky when the negotiating window opens next week, sources told ESPN. … A key selling point for the Giants is having Trubisky reunite with coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. Both came from Buffalo, where Trubisky spent last season after four years with the Chicago Bears.”

But as Raanan also pointed out, New York’s signing of Trubisky wouldn’t be with the immediate intent to replace incumbent starter, Daniel Jones. Rather, it’d be to push Jones, perhaps with the goal of having an open competition for the starter’s job under center in 2022. Whereas Trubisky may have an easier path to starting in places such as Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

In a recent edition of Adam Schefter’s podcast, Trubisky had fond things to say about the legacy of the Steelers and the prospect of playing for Mike Tomlin. But he also gushed about the idea of playing in New York.

“I think of Coach Daboll right away because of my connection with him in Buffalo. I’m excited to see what he does in New York,” Trubisky said.

“I haven’t been to New York that many times, but you think of big New York City and the Giants. So I know Coach Daboll will do a great job, and I’m excited to see that offense.”

On (Mc)Cloud nine?

A common gripe among Steelers fans by the end of last year was the Steelers were leaning too much on Ray-Ray McCloud in the passing game. Before last year, McCloud’s role had been little more than a return specialist. But by the end of 2021, McCloud could boast a career-high 39 catches for 277 yards, drawing 66 targets.

McCloud had only 25 catches on 28 targets in his two previous seasons combined between the Steelers in 2020 and the Buffalo Bills in 2019. McCloud also led the league in both punt-return yardage and combined return yardage, finishing sixth with 9.7 yards per punt return.

Now, according to CBSSports.com’s Cody Benjamin, at least six teams are interested in acquiring McCloud in free agency.

“The Colts, 49ers, Lions and Packers all expressed interest in the 25-year-old McCloud during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, according to sources, and are among teams expected to make an offer to the wideout once the negotiating window officially opens,” Benjamin said.

Last month, McCloud insisted that he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh, telling the NFL Network, “I know it is a business. But I don’t want to play for anybody else besides coach (Mike) Tomlin.”

Benjamin added that the Steelers are making efforts to retain McCloud, “Pittsburgh has contacted McCloud’s representation to express a strong interest in re-signing the veteran.”

The free-agency legal tampering period begins March 14.

They got McDavided

The Washington Capitals picked up one point on the idle Penguins in the Metropolitan Division.

The Caps lost 4-3 in overtime thanks to a goal from Connor McDavid.

"McDavid and Draisaitl poised for a breakout..."

~a few seconds later~

What a FINISH by the dynamic duo for the @SUBWAYCanada OT win! ???? pic.twitter.com/JuTV0jW8GM

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 10, 2022

Former Penguin Cody Ceci also helped the cause for Edmonton with a goal.

Cody Ceci cleans up and the Oilers have the lead ???? #NHLonTNT pic.twitter.com/rfUfIDz1DO

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) March 10, 2022

But the overtime loser point still allowed the Capitals to pull within five points of the Pens and the New York Rangers in the Metro.

Carolina is sitting on top of the division with 83 points. The Penguins and Rangers are next with 77 each. Then the Caps are in fourth with 72. Washington currently holds the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot with a 13-point cushion on the ninth place Columbus Blue Jackets.

On the rise

Local auto racing standout Luca Mars is taking another step in his career. The Franklin Park native has joined KohR Motorsports for the 2022 season.

The North Allegheny 10th grader just turned 16 on Wednesday. He will partner with Nate Stacy in the #60 Ford Mustang GT4 to be part of the 2022 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season in the GS Class starting with the second round at Sebring International Raceway, March 16-19.

Mars’ debut comes after a year in F2000 and then Mazda MX5 Cup. He wanted to be part of the opening round at Daytona. However, he was ineligible to join the series until he turned 16 this week.

In a test at Daytona, Mars said his Mustang topped out between 160-170 miles per hour.