Tuesday’s “First Call” has a creative idea to solve the Steelers-Ravens fiasco. We also hear from one frustrated Steeler about the pace of rescheduling. Former Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley talks about his new role with the franchise. Is his boss still a top-10 general manager? And we preview at least one live game in Pittsburgh Tuesday night after all.

Just keep us posted

Injured Steelers offensive lineman Zach Banner is among those Steelers frustrated by the constant reshuffling of the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Mind you, Banner can’t play in it anyway. He is rehabilitating an injured knee. Which is a point he acknowledged while tweeting his angst towards the NFL for pushing the contest all the way to Wednesday afternoon.

I’m gonna be healthy by the time we play this game...

— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) November 30, 2020

Banner doesn’t exactly seem thrilled with how the NFL is informing the players of the game changes either.

I come to Twitter for my work updates now...

— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) November 30, 2020

Tell us who won the game Adam... https://t.co/dtyTlfphC8

— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) November 30, 2020

It doesn’t appear that the players are finding out much earlier than the rest of us.

Not the worst suggestion ever

When it started to become clear that the Steelers-Ravens game was likely going to be postponed (again) from Tuesday to Wednesday, Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey came up with a different idea to settle the matter.

Virtual Tuesday Night Game? https://t.co/9pVNlX0gPS

— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) November 30, 2020

Always up for anything online, JuJu Smith-Schuster accepted the challenge.

Alright bro, Our Best Madden Player Vs Your Best Madden Player Tmrw Night! ??? https://t.co/hXlMMu2WFH

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) November 30, 2020

I don’t know who that “best player” is on the Steelers. But if the virtual game gets to overtime, “virtual JuJu” better hope whoever has the controller hits whatever button enhances ball security if “virtual Marlon” is in the vicinity.

Because we all remember what happened the last time these two teams met at Heinz Field in real life.

Then again, in keeping with Ravens tradition, maybe “virtual John Harbaugh” would just delay the start of the game online until Wednesday afternoon, too.

Judging GMJR

Is Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford still a top-10 GM in the NHL?

I suppose that depends on your perspective. Among those currently employed, if you look at career achievement, absolutely. Given that he has won three Stanley Cups between two franchises (Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes).

But given some questionable trades and signings over the last three years, maybe not.

NBC Sports compiled a list. Adam Gretz has Rutherford eighth. Which, given that combination of factors that Gretz also weighed, seems about right to me.

On one hand, I look at the list and I think Rutherford should be higher than any of the guys in the top five when you consider lifetime achievement.

But based on where the Penguins sit right now, what their prospects look like for the next few years, and their early playoff exits in recent seasons, I think that top 10 may be too generous.

So maybe eighth is about right. And Penguins fans can hope that some of the moves Rutherford made this offseason will turn out better than what the analytics types are expecting this season.

Whenever that may be.

Dishing with Daley

Retired Penguins Stanley Cup winner Trevor Daley joined the franchise as hockey operations adviser Oct. 26. He spoke with NHL.com about his new gig.

“When I’m asked questions or advice, it’s coming from a player’s viewpoint,” Daley said. “That’s obviously going to be my strength for right now, because I don’t know much about the management side of it. I’m learning that. But at the end of the day it’s hockey out there.”

Daley won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017. You can find the entire interview here.

Tuesday night hockey

We know of at least one contest in Pittsburgh that is still scheduled for Tuesday night. That’s Robert Morris’ men’s hockey game against Bowling Green.

Actually, it was originally scheduled for Nov. 24. But it had to be pushed back due to some covid-19 rescheduling issues. Now the Falcons are coming to the Island Sports Center this Tuesday instead. Faceoff is at 7:05 pm.

The Colonials have won three of their first four games. They swept Alabama-Huntsville Nov. 21 and 22. Then they split with Canisius over the weekend to open Atlantic Hockey conference play.

Highly touted freshman Randy Hernandez had third-period game-winning goals in two of those victories.

CRASH THE NET pic.twitter.com/3HW4xs9c2L

— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) November 22, 2020

THAT'S GAME! pic.twitter.com/3SAqFwItWP

— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) November 28, 2020

Meanwhile, BGSU has beaten Adrian College twice (6-2, 5-0) to open their 2020-’21 campaign.

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