In the upcoming 2013-2014 NHL season the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the second oldest team in the league, behind only the New Jersey Devils. It might not be long, however, until the Penguins have the most aged roster in all of hockey. This summer, General Manager Ray Shero decided to keep Pascal Dupuis, Craig Adams, and extend Chris Kunitz, as well as bring back Rob Scuderi, a key member of the 2009 Stanley Cup team. In all, the Penguins gave these men a combined $40 million dollars in contracts that will keep them in Pittsburgh until they are all 37 or 38 years old. Looking at these contracts individually, it’s hard to complain at first glance. Dupuis and Kunitz both signed for less than what they could have received in the open market. And when you look at the contracts handed out this summer to guys like Ryan Clowe, Dave Clarkson, and Tyler Bozak, it would be easy to argue Scuderi might have been the only big name free agent who wasn’t overpaid in July’s free agent frenzy. While individually all these deals are of great value, the fact remains that the Penguins failed to win the Stanley Cup this year with an aging all star caliber lineup. Aside from the core of Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Letang, the group of Penguins signed for the future is going to get old—-fast. I would love to see Shero and company add some youth to the Penguins lineup. It may seem like the team doesn’t have much cap to work with when you consider that the aforementioned core plus Marc-Andre Fleury consume about 50% or more of the Penguins salary cap. But when you look at all the other contending teams in the NHL, most of them have this issue. Consider this year’s Stanley Cup champions. The Chicago Blackhawks had around 47% of their salary cap going to their top 5 paid players. What made the Blackhawks a better team than the Penguins, however, wasn’t their top players. It was the depth they had on their 3rd and 4th lines with players like Dave Bolland, Viktor Stalberg, Andrew Shaw, and Bryan Bickell. Locking up so much money and so many years with veterans like Scuderi, Kunitz, and Dupuis can be risky business. Adding to the risk is that the organization hasn’t had much inexpensive, productive talent coming through its farm system lately. Hopefully Beau Bennett and Simon Despres can change that this year. There is still plenty of time left over the next 3 months for Ray Shero to infuse some youth into next season’s lineup. All indications point to Matt Niskanen’s days in the black and gold being numbered when you consider he is set to make more than $2 million next season. Guys like Jussi Jokinen, Deryk Engellend, and Tanner Glass could also be dealt. If the Penguins could deal any of these players for a young, fast, and inexpensive forward, I think they would be foolish not to make a move.
Podcasts
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 37, Pt 1: Open Insights, Experiences, & Stories from Tom Patri & Mark Calcavecchia 07-25-2024
nextgolfIn Part 1 of Episode 37, I'm thrilled to be joined for the 100th time by Tom Patri, along with a special return visit from the 1989 Open Champion, Mark Calcavecchia.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 36, Pt 2: Self Taught +3 Handicap Jeremy Jean-Marie & All-Time Great Writer, Host, & Interviewer Damon Hack 07-25-2024
nextgolfIn Part 2 of Episode 36, I am joined by Jeremy Jean-Marie, a self-taught +3 handicap, and Damon Hack, one of the most renowned writers, hosts, and interviewers in the world of golf.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 36, Pt 1: All-Army Golf Champion Jonathan Shuskey and One of the Stars of the Movie Playing Through Julie Rae 07-24-2024
nextgolfI am joined by Jonathan Shuskey, a 20-year Army veteran, three-time Fort Benning Club Champion, and 2013 All-Army Champion, as well as Julia Rae, an actress, singer, dancer, writer, and one of the stars of the movie "Playing Through."
Podcast: Western Pennsylvania is experiencing a cultural, economic change 07-10-2024
fromthenewsroomWestern Pennsylvania is experiencing a visual, cultural and economic change, and Beechview in Pittsburgh is at its heart. Reporter Anna Mares and Host, Zac Gibson dive into her recent article, which cites the economic growth and cultural change of Western Pennsylvania because of its changing demographics.
Podcast: Potential nationwide scam hits Carrick event venue 07-06-2024
fromthenewsroomA recent alleged concert booking scam has affected a venue in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood. Audiovisual company Hearcorp owns the event venue and former church at 25 Carrick Ave. TribLive’s trending news reporter, Megan Swift, joins Zac Gibson to discuss the information that shows a national span of similar situations, and what Elder learned after fielding calls from the event’s ticket holders.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 35, Pt 1: The Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters; the Founder of Golf Live, Keith Scioli; and our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri 07-03-2024
nextgolfThe Confidence Doctor, Dr. Bob Winters; the Founder of Golf Live, Keith Scioli; and our Resident Director of Instruction, Tom Patri
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Female Athlete of the Year: Emma Paul of Armstrong 07-02-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the HSSN Female Athlete of the Year, Armstrong multisport athlete, Emma Paul.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Female Athlete of the Year: Emma Paul of Armstrong 07-02-2024
Don Rebel chats with the HSSN Female Athlete of the Year, Armstrong multisport athlete, Emma Paul.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 34, Pt 2: Western PA Golf Legend Bob Friend Jr., and 2x Winner on Tour David Peoples Join Me 07-02-2024
nextgolfIn Part 2 of Episode 34, I'm joined by Bob Friend Jr., the 1984 and 1985 Western Pennsylvania Amateur Champion and 1985 Pennsylvania State Champion, and David Peoples, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Male Athlete of the Year: Drew Griffith of Butler 07-01-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the HSSN Male Athlete of the Year, Butler track & field star Drew Griffith
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Male Athlete of the Year: Drew Griffith of Butler 07-01-2024
Don Rebel chats with the HSSN Male Athlete of the Year, Butler track & field star Drew Griffith
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 34, Pt 1: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly from the US Open with Rob Strano & Bruce Devlin 06-27-2024
nextgolfIn Part 1 of Episode 34 I'm joined by Top Instructor and Host of The Golf Kingdom TV show Rob Strano and PGA Tour Legend Bruce Devlin.
Safety protocols lacking for rafting and kayaking at Ohioplye 06-26-2024
fromthenewsroomIn this episode, host Zac Gibson and reporter Renatta Signorini tell the story of what happened to Andrea and her mother’s fight to be awareness to the dangers, and discuss the rough path to safety protocol changes for outfitters who offer commercial whitewater rafting trips along the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 33: Broadcast Legend Tim Brando, \"Pittsburgh is one of my favorite cities\", Beano Cook, Scrap Iron\'s Hat, and stories from his Hall of Fame career 06-24-2024
nextgolfIn this very special edition of "Next on the Tee," I'm joined by broadcasting legend Tim Brando.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Player of the Year: Lexie Hames of Seneca Valley 06-24-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the HSSN Softball Player of the Year, Lexie Hames of Seneca Valley.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Softball Player of the Year: Lexie Hames of Seneca Valley 06-24-2024
Don Rebel chats with the HSSN Softball Player of the Year, Lexie Hames of Seneca Valley.
AUDIO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Player of the Year: David Shields of Mt. Lebanon 06-24-2024
donrebelDon Rebel chats with the HSSN Baseball Player of the Year, David Shields of Mt. Lebanon.
VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: 2024 WPIAL Baseball Player of the Year: David Shields of Mt. Lebanon 06-24-2024
Don Rebel chats with the HSSN Baseball Player of the Year, David Shields of Mt. Lebanon.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 32, Pt 2: Fitness Expert Courtney Weber & Top QB Coach Cree Morris 06-22-2024
nextgolfIn Part 2 of Episode 32, I'm joined by Courtney Weber, a Level 3 TPI Certified Instructor, and Cree Morris, former San Diego State QB now a top QB Coach.
Next On The Tee: S11, Ep 33, Pt 1: Greensburg\'s Bob Ross Makes Not 1 But 2 Hole-In-Ones, TP & I Break Down the US Open, 2013 Senior Open Champ Mark Wiebe & I Look Ahead to The Open 06-19-2024
nextgolfIn Part 1 of this week's show, I'm joined by our Resident Director of Instruction Tom Patri and 2013 Senior Open Champion Mark Wiebe.