First Call: Steelers' Bud Dupree laughs at talk of discount deal; Penguins GM candidate emerging

Friday’s “First Call” gives us an update on Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree and his view of free agency. A potential candidate to replace Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford is starting to emerge. One former Penguin may be heating up while another is struggling.

And the Atlantic 10 tournament has a new home.

Or should I say … “homes”?

Bye, bye, Bud?

Long-time NFL reporter John Clayton appeared on 93.7 The Fan this week. He had an interesting contract suggestion for Bud Dupree.

The outside linebacker tore his ACL in the Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens during his franchise tag season.

.@JohnClaytonNFL says on @937theFan he expects Bud Dupree to sign a 1-year deal in the neighborhood of $6 million this offseason. Because of ACL and low salary cap.

The Steelers have to find a way to make that happen.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 27, 2021

Here’s how Dupree replied to that suggestion.

— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) January 27, 2021

So that’s a “hard no,” then?

Hey, if Dupree thinks he can get more, he should. I get where he is coming from by laughing at the idea that he would work on another one-year deal after what transpired with his injury on the franchise tag in 2020.

If he thinks a one-year “prove it” deal would help his cause, so be it. Especially with the NFL’s salary cap being limited to potentially $175 million this year. But my guess is Dupree is right and he’ll be able to do better than that on the open market.

Perhaps from his hometown Atlanta Falcons? Or the Indianapolis Colts? Earlier this week, Dupree told the NFL Network that he felt his rehab was “ahead of schedule.”

On the list?

One name is emerging as a candidate to replace Jim Rutherford as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It’s Colorado Avalanche assistant general manager Chris MacFarland. His name came up as a potential target during “The Mark Madden Show” on 105.9 The X Thursday afternoon. And apparently there’s a little fire to that smoke.

“Colorado Hockey Now” is reporting that MacFarland is “under consideration” and that “an initial interview could be set up soon.”

MacFarland is credited for doing a lot of the leg work behind the scenes on general manager Joe Sakic’s staff as the Avalanche have risen to prominence in recent seasons.

The 50-year-old native of the Bronx moved to Denver in the summer of 2015. He spent 16 years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, starting as the club’s manager of hockey operations. Then he was promoted to assistant GM in 2008.

The Avs are 4-3 to start 2021. They finished with 92 points last year, second best in the Western Conference. The franchise lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round of the playoffs last summer.

‘Virginia is for Lovers … of basketball’

Fans of Duquesne basketball now know where the men’s Atlantic 10 basketball tournament is going to be held.

On Jan. 14, it was announced that continuing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic would prevent the tournament from taking place in Brooklyn. On Thursday, the conference revealed it would take place in Virginia.

The University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) will co-host the championship (March 10-14).

Wednesday’s opening round, Saturday’s semifinals and Sunday’s championship final will be played at Richmond’s Robins Center. The four second round and quarterfinal games will jump between Richmond and VCU’s Siegel Center. Games 1 and 3 and Games 2 and 4 will be split between the two sites.

Amending my tweet below with more specific information. Here is how the A-10 tournament is going to be held, according to sources.

First round: all games @ Richmond
Second round + quarters: VCU + Richmond both hosting
Semis: @ Richmond
Champ game: @ Richmond https://t.co/kp6xeZykRu

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 28, 2021

Duquesne hosts St. Joseph’s at La Roche Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Dukes are 5-6. The Hawks come in at 1-13. Duquesne is fresh off an 86-62 victory over Fordham Wednesday night.

Coincidence? I think not

Former Penguin Conor Sheary was having a tough time finding the back of the net in his first season with the Washington Capitals. He was goalless through the first five games of the season.

But he scored twice last night en route to a 6-3 Caps win over the New York Islanders.

Sheary in traffic pic.twitter.com/haNDxrnxHx

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 29, 2021

SHEARY CAME TO PLAY! pic.twitter.com/NKvw3BtDyx

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 29, 2021

Washington stormed back from a 3-0 deficit and ended up doubling up the Isles.

As for goalie Matt Murray, it was another long night. He and the Ottawa Senators lost to the Vancouver Canucks 4-1. This after the former Penguins netminder allowed seven goals in a 7-1 defeat to Vancouver on Monday. He stopped 21 of 25 shots Thursday. Former Penguin Tanner Pearson had one of the goals.

So far in 2021, Murray is 1-4-1 with a .858 save percentage and a 4.39 goals against average.