Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Former Penguin Jordan Staal is still built for winning
I texted Jordan Staal after the Carolina captain netted that sprawling, twisting, highlight-reel backhand goal to win Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final: “You’re out there scoring like Mario!” Staal texted back: “Ha! Thanks, Mark. Two more.” That’s where Staal’s head is always at. Winning. Even as Staal demolishes...
Mark Madden: The World Cup has landed in the U.S., but where’s the hype?
The men’s World Cup is kicking off in North America. Hype in the U.S. doesn’t feel as manic as expected. Maybe because the U.S. is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. Americans don’t share well. Maybe because the U.S. team has no chance. Never has, never will. Maybe because ticket costs...
Mark Madden: As the World Cup begins, remember Pittsburgh’s greatest soccer star
With the men’s World Cup kicking off, it reminds me of an amazing moment in Pittsburgh soccer, at least to my reckoning. I went to see Plum High School’s boys team play a WPIAL playoff game in 2004. A kid I had coached in dek hockey was on Plum. That...
Mark Madden: Egypt’s Mohamed Salah delivers at pre-World Cup friendly
Morgan Wallen canceled his Saturday concert at Acrisure Stadium because he didn’t think Pittsburgh could find a raincoat. I was supposed to walk out Wallen at the beginning of that show. Being a big celebrity. But that got scratched, so I drove to Cleveland and watched international soccer, a pre-World...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: NHL wants Russian stars at all-star event but without political backlash
All-star games are passe and should be eliminated. They’ve been non-competitive for years, becoming a parody of the sport played. But they generate revenue. So they continue. Of particular disdain is the NHL all-star event, made to look even more toothless by alternating with international hockey. This past Olympic tournament...
Mark Madden: The Pirates have legit potential but still need something … now
Bryan Reynolds turned defeat into victory with a walk-off home run against Minnesota on May 29 at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won their next three. Then Paul Skenes took the mound Wednesday at Houston. Skenes continued an alarming trend of diminished velocity and mediocre performance, but the Pirates nonetheless had...
Mark Madden: Steelers again put loyalty over leverage. How’s that working out?
Not long before his four-year, $100 million contract extension was announced, edge rusher Nick Herbig told the media he wanted to “be a Steeler for life.” If the deal wasn’t already sealed, that doubtless did the trick. Owner Art Rooney II is a sucker for that one-helmet stuff. Regardless of...
Mark Madden: The Penguins are all over the place, so what free agents should they target?
The Penguins re-upped Evgeni Malkin. Does that necessarily mean they’re running it back? Retaining Malkin was an obvious move, however against the grain of what president of hockey ops/GM Kyle Dubas ultimately wants to do. It satisfied the nostalgia, “he’s owed that” crowd. But maybe that’s merely throwing a bone....
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: The Steelers and fans are falling for the Will Howard fantasy
The egregious praise heaped upon Will Howard by just about everyone in the 412 has been either inspiring or nauseating, depending on your level of delusion. (Misguided optimism, if you’d rather.) The Steelers’ staff isn’t immune, as we heard from quarterbacks coach Tom Arth: “He’s really smart.” “He’s a hard...
Mark Madden: 30 years later, nothing in wrestling history has topped the nWo invasion
“You know who I am. But you don’t know why I’m here.” To pro wrestling fans, that quote is as famous as the Gettysburg Address. Thirty years ago this past Wednesday, Scott Hall showed up on “WCW Monday Nitro” to launch the nWo invasion. It’s the biggest angle in wrestling...
Mark Madden: Bringing back Evgeni Malkin leaves Penguins stuck in no-man’s land
Giving Evgeni Malkin another season in Pittsburgh is what’s right for the fans. It’s what’s right for Sidney Crosby and the locker room. It’s what’s right for the new owners, who won’t be villainized. But it feels wrong for the Penguins. Here’s betting Kyle Dubas retained Malkin through clenched teeth....
Mark Madden: Pirates aren’t following Penguins on path to playoffs
The Pittsburgh Penguins were projected to be a non-playoff team before the season, maybe as bad as bottom-five in the NHL. But then a lot went right. Anthony Mantha scored a career-high 33 goals. After two disappointing campaigns in Pittsburgh, Erik Karlsson resurrected his game and earned team MVP. Twelve...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Sidney Crosby, then, now and forever, remains committed to Penguins
The Athletic reported that Sidney Crosby “definitely want(s) to keep playing for as many years as possible.” But Crosby’s contract extensions, he says, will be structured to give the Pittsburgh Penguins salary-cap options: “It just makes sense, whether it’s our cap, who we have coming in and out, just to...
Mark Madden: Aaron Rodgers talk is everywhere and, ultimately, that’s our fault
Aaron Rodgers might now be a meh quarterback, but give him credit: He knows how to refresh the news cycle. For months, Rodgers had locals on the edge of their seats awaiting his decision: To play or not to play? Rodgers got ice cream, signed and showed up at OTAs....
Mark Madden: Pirates need more from well-paid Bryan Reynolds and other sports notes
Just like Aaron Rodgers, refreshing sports notes will eventually show up. But on a haphazard timetable, and who knows if they’re going to be any good? Also like Rodgers. • The Pittsburgh Pirates’ biggest problem is outfielder Bryan Reynolds: He makes $14.25 million, has one home run in 35 games,...
Mark Madden: Aaron Rodgers’ arrival likely means Will Howard’s departure
Aaron Rodgers finally showed up. All hail the conquering hero. He was seen getting ice cream with teammates Pat Freiermuth, Mason Rudolph and Ben Skowronek. That’s a whole lot of vanilla. Rodgers’ commitment was inevitable. Now Will Howard gets cut. That’s inevitable, too. Howard is the people’s choice, somehow rising...
