First Call: Pair of logical Steelers UFA targets with local ties go elsewhere; muddy playoff picture for Penguins

In Friday’s “First Call,” a pair of logical free-agent targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers with local ties are going elsewhere.

We examine the state of the NHL’s Eastern Conference and the Penguins’ place in it heading into a crucial weekend.

And the Pirates aren’t the only team going into the 2024 PNC Park season opener on a good note.

Eagle back in the nest

When Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox was released, many of us who track the Steelers started to connect the dots.

The Steelers need a slot corner. Maddox was in Philly under Andy Weidl. Maddox played his college football at Pitt.

It made sense, but that’s not happening. Maddox is staying at the other end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Maddox is re-signing with the Eagles. He says it’s a one-year contract.

In 64 career games (38 starts), Maddox has four interceptions (31 passes defensed), eight forced fumbles and three sacks. The 28-year-old from Detroit has played only 13 games the past two years after suffering toe, hamstring and pectoral injuries. The Eagles selected Maddox in the fourth round of the 2018 draft.

Philly released him in March. After taking a free-agent visit with New Orleans, Maddox went back to Philadelphia.

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Nice idea in theory

Another potential Steeler who was considering coming back to Pittsburgh has decided to go elsewhere. It’s McKeesport native Khaleke Hudson.

The former Washington Commander has decided to sign with the New Orleans Saints instead of the Steelers.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2TV in Houston reported that Hudson was in Pittsburgh for a visit earlier in the week, but he has signed a one-year deal in Louisiana instead. The Saints made the announcement on Thursday afternoon.

Welcome @KhalekeHudson to New Orleans! ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/BnMeBf16Dc

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 4, 2024

The Michigan Wolverine product spent his first four years in D.C. Last year was his best season, playing in 17 games (eight starts), recording 74 tackles (five for loss), one sack and two pass breakups.

Oh, those O’s

If weather allows, the Pirates will open the home portion of their 2024 schedule against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.

The Buccos are coming home after a great start on the road, winning six of seven against the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals. The Orioles are also playing well early on, having won four of their first six.

Their most recent victory was 4-3 over Kansas City on Wednesday night, courtesy of a walk-off hit by James McCann.

WORTH. THE. WAIT. pic.twitter.com/9KoKLfYsPR

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 4, 2024

Baltimore will start pitcher Grayson Rodriguez on Friday. He won his first start of the year, a 13-4 victory over the Angels. Along the way, Rodriguez struck out nine and allowed only one run and five base runners in six innings.

The Pirates counter with Jared Jones, who also won his first start of the year, striking out 10 Miami Marlins in 5⅔ innings as the Pirates won 9-3.

I am the lightning

The Penguins enter their next game red hot, having won three in a row, gaining points in seven straight games. The club’s most recent win was a 4-1 decision in Washington on Thursday night. The Pens are up to 81 points but are still in 11th place, two points out of a playoff spot.

Their game will be their first at home after a four-game road trip. It’s Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Lightning. And the Bolts are on fire, having won six of seven. They hold the Eastern Conference’s top wild-card spot with 93 points.

Thursday night, they toppled the Montreal Canadiens, 7-4. Steven Stamkos had two goals and an assist.

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— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 5, 2024

The Pens and Bolts split a pair of games earlier this year. Both were in Tampa. The Lightning score at a 3.51 goals per game clip. That’s fifth best in the NHL and second best in the Eastern Conference behind only the Toronto Maple Leafs (3.61).

The Tampa power play converts at a 29.1% rate, the best in the NHL. The club’s penalty kill is also excellent at 83%, fifth best in hockey.

How did it go?

The other result of interest for the Penguins on Thursday was a 4-2 win for the New York Islanders in Columbus. Noah Dobson had the game-winner.

Dobson for the LEAD! pic.twitter.com/H1ueDvFqWA

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 5, 2024

That means the Isles now have 83 points, two more than the Penguins, and they sit in sole possession of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Both teams are idle Friday. But there is plenty of other action that will impact both clubs.

The Philadelphia Flyers (83 points, third in the Metropolitan Division) look to snap a five-game losing streak in Buffalo (77 points). The Detroit Red Wings, tied with the Washington Capitals for ninth and 10th place at 82 points, host the Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers (106 points).

Meanwhile, the Caps hope to end their four-game losing streak on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes (101 points).