Tree of Life

26 Mar

Why the moves for Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray are brilliant by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 – 8:30 am

If you believed Ray Shero would stand pat, as he did last season, and not add a few pieces to an already elite team, shame on you.

If the you hesitated to jump for joy because you thought the price for Brenden Morrow seemed a little too high, you're not alone.

After all, Joe Morrow was a very good defensive prospect with a ton of potential as a Pittsburgh Penguin. And while the Penguins have a ton of defensive prospects already, not all of them are cut from the same cloth. In the end, however, this was the right move for the Penguins.

The Penguins have been searching for another veteran winger since Bill Guerin left at the end of the 2009-2010 season. When Pittsburgh was annihilated in Game 5 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, pushing them to elimination, Guerin was the voice that kept everyone calm.

Brenden Morrow is that type of player. His intangibles as a leader cannot be overlooked and they are just as valuable as a James Neal wrist shot. When the Penguins experience the highs and lows of the NHL playoffs, Morrow will be there to keep everyone on an even keel.

As for Morrow's play on the ice, many of the Penguins, including Dan Bylsma and James Neal (former teammate in Dallas) described him as a Chris Kunitz-type player. Someone who will go into dirty areas, and create a net-front presence in the offensive zone. His numbers aren't staggering as he was relegated to fourth line duty at one point during the season, but he seems like a perfect fit for the second line between Evgeni Malkin and Neal. Unlike Neal, however, Morrow is very defensively responsible and should help Malkin in his own end.

Pound for pound, Bill Guerin may have been a better player at the time than Brenden Morrow. And the Penguins may have sacrificed a lot more than a conditional draft pick to obtain the former Stars captain, but he will undoubtedly help this team. As for the other Morrow in this deal, the Penguins have a talented prospect that can cover his departure.

Brian Dumoulin.

Receiving Dumoulin as part of the Jordan Staal trade is looking like a bigger acquisition now that Joe Morrow is off to Dallas. Dumoulin is now the only high-end prospect that can serve as a point man for the power play in the future; at least on a level where his shot is actually a threat. Morrow's slap shot was hard enough to obliterate a goaltender's mask last year in Portland; a little more power than some of Pittsburgh's previous first round picks.

Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot project to be better players, according to management, but they do not have that element in their game. Brian Dumoulin does. His shot might not be as legendary as Morrow's but it will get the job done if he develops as he's projected. Also, at 6'4, Dumoulin's size is obviously an asset.

We all knew it was impossible for every defensive prospect to play in Pittsburgh. If they did, the Penguins would need to roll five defensive pairings and two and a half lines. Moves had to be made and because of last year's draft, the Penguins were in prime position to make a move at this year's deadline.

Ray Shero trades Jordan Staal, and like dominos the Penguins are able to rattle off moves a week before the deadline to upgrade their team:

The Penguins acquire Dumoulin from Carolina which gives the team more flexibility to move defensemen. They take Joe Morrow, a kid with a lot of talent but a few development issues, and flip him for a gritty, veteran forward who is hungry for a Stanley Cup. The third round pick also acquired for Morrow, then gives Shero the opportunity to trade two second round picks (one conditional) for Douglas Murray aka Ulf Sammuelsson 2.0.

In less than 24 hours, Ray Shero acquired Douglas Murray, Brendan Morrow and a third round pick for Joe Morrow, two second round picks, and a fifth round pick. The price wasn't high despite the fact that the trade market is hyper-inflated given the situation of this season, and at the end of the day, the Penguins upgraded while teams like Boston, Washington, Montreal, and Ottawa are left with fewer options, and thus, higher prices.

— No Comments ↓
Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

25 Mar

Monday on TribLIVE Radio

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, March 25th, 2013 – 9:21 am

9:30am-Ray Shero, Day Bylsma and Sidney Crosby on the Pens win over the Flyers and the trade for Morrow.

10am-Pens Writer Rob Rossi with Ken Laird

10:30am-Guy Junker

11a-Dallas Stars Color Man Darly Reaugh

11:30am-Dejan Kovacevic

12Noon-John Steigerwald

1pm-John Fedko

3pm-Pirates Writer Charlie Wilmoth of Bucs Dugout

3:30m-Pens Writer Brian Metzer

4pm-Steelers Writer Marc Uhlmann

4:30pm-Big East Hoops Writer John Ogle

— No Comments ↓
Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

24 Mar

Penguins trade for Dallas LW Brenden Morrow by Rob Rossi

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, March 24th, 2013 – 6:02 pm

Ray Shero has struck again.

The Penguins general manager acquired veteran left winger Brenden Morrow from the Dallas Stars on Sunday, Morrow's agent confirmed.

To land Morrow, the Penguins surrendered Joe Morrow, a defense prospect who was the 23rd overall pick at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Going into this season the Penguins rated him as the top overall prospect in their organization, slightly ahead of left winger Beau Bennett.

Shero could not be reached immediately for comment.

Joe Morrow was one of three first-round picks among Penguins defensive prospects. A fourth, Simon Despres, has played in 23 games with the Penguins this season.

Brenden Morrow, 34, waived a clause in his contract to join the Penguins. He will not play for the club against the Philadelphia Flyers at Consol Energy Center on Sunday night.

Shero had sought a top-six winger before the NHL trade deadline, April 3.

However, he did not want to break up captain Sidney Crosby's line, which includes left winger Chris Kunitz and right winger Pascal Dupuis.

Coach Dan Bylsma also did not favor breaking up the top line – concerned with possible locker-room troubles if Dupuis, a popular leader, was demoted to a third line.

Crosby and Kunitz were first and second in overall scoring as of Sunday.

Kunitz spent most of last season playing on a line with center Evgeni Malkin and right winger James Neal, but only because Crosby played in just 22 games while dealing with concussion symptoms.

Kunitz, Crosby and Dupuis were reunited for the playoffs last season. That line has been intact since the 2010-11 season when Crosby has been healthy.

Malkin, the MVP last season and a two-time scoring champion, has not meshed with any of the players the Penguins have tried as his left winger this season – with the exception of Matt Cooke, whom coaches prefer to keep on a third line.

Malkin will miss an eighth consecutive game on Sunday. He has played in only three of the past 14 games because of a shoulder injury (current) and concussion (previous).

Before the concussion, which cost him four games, Malkin had scored only four goals and recorded 22 points.

Brenden Morrow has scored six goals and recorded 11 points in 29 games with the Stars, but he has 243 goals and 528 points in 835 career games. He has played in 78 playoff games, scoring 17 goals and producing 42 points.

Listed at 6-foot and 209 pounds, he is a reputable physical winger that plays in tight quarters.

Malkin won a scoring title with a big left winger, Ruslan Fedotenko, in 2009, and his MVP season came with Kuntiz, who plays a physical style.

Malkin also finished second in scoring in 2008 while playing with Ryan Malone, another big, physical left winger.

This is not the first time Shero has looked to Dallas for improvement. He sent defenseman Alex Goligoski to the Stars in February 2011 for Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen.

Shero has made moves during the trade-deadline period in all but one season since taking over the Penguins in May 2006. He did not make a move last season, the third in a row that the Penguins were eliminated by a lower-seeded club in the playoffs.

The Penguins are likely not done.

Shero is targeting a fourth-line center and defensive depth, both of which could help a penalty kill that ranked 20th as of Sunday.

The Penguins (24-8,0, 48 points) have won 11 consecutive games.

Rob Rossi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rrossi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @RobRossi_Trib.

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/3712501-74/penguins-season-winger#ixzz2OUtGvh7x
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

— No Comments ↓
Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 

24 Mar

Pittsburgh Power Burned in Season Opener 64-33 by Dominic Errico

published in category: College Sports on Sunday, March 24th, 2013 – 5:14 pm

It's a new season for the Pittsburgh Power, but so far the storyline from last year remains the same.

Once again Pittsburgh (0-1) found itself on the wrong side of the turnover margin and fell 64-33 at home to the Utah Blaze (1-0) in from of 8,390 fans at Consol Energy Center.

Power rookie quarterback Jordan Jefferson was under siege from the Utah Blaze defensive line all night long. He was sacked four times, intercepted twice, and lost a fumble. A second fumble was ruled a safety by AFL rules. He finished the game 19 of 34 for 196 yards and five touchdowns.

Mike "The Joystick" Washington had a strong game for the Power with eight catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Wise also added two touchdown grabs.

The Power defense held Tommy Grady, the reigning league MVP, under 200 yards passing but he did throw for five touchdowns and an interception. His favorite target of the night was Mario Urrutia who finished the game with seven receptions for 76 yards and four touchdowns.

Utah won the battle of the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Power could not give Jefferson anytime to make his progressions. One of his interceptions came off a deflected pass at the line. Pittsburgh's inability to get to the quarterback gave Grady all night to find his open receivers. One can only wonder how much worse things could have been if Utah's top receiver Aaron Lesue had not been inactive with a hamstring injury.

Pittsburgh's kickoff coverage allowed several big returns by Brandon Thompkins, who averaged 27.5 yards per return. He also had a kickoff return touchdown wiped out by a facemask penalty.

After the game, Head Coach Derek Stingley expressed his disappointment. "This is not the result we were looking for as a team. We had too many unforced errors. We knew they'd get their plays, we just wanted them to have to earn them."

Stingley also mentioned the offensive line struggles as a key contributor to the loss. "We just need to do a better job protecting our quarterback."

Jefferson admitted after the game that he could play better. "We had a few turnovers we wish we could have back. We need to build chemistry as a team."

Pittsburgh will try to make some adjustments in preparation for their game. The Power take on the Jacksonville Sharks (1-0) at Consol Energy Center on Friday March 29th.

Scoring Summary
First Quarter:
Blaze: Stallings 2 yard run [Adrian Trevino kick good] 7-0 11:46
Power: Washington 12 yard pass from Jefferson [Josh Czajkowski kick good] 7-7 5:21
Blaze: Urrutia 35 yard pass from Grady [Trevino kick good] 14-7 2:20

Second Quarter:
Power: Washington 9 yard pass from Jefferson [Czajkowski kick good] 14-14 14:11
Blaze: Urrutia 17 yard pass from Grady [Trevino kick good] 21-14 12:57
Blaze: Deadder 1 yard run [Trevino kick no good] 27-14 9:06
Blaze: Marsh 3 yard fumble recovery [Trevino kick good] 34-14 7:42
Power: Wise 24 yard pass from Jefferson [Czajkowski kick no good] 34-20 4:02
Blaze: Castile 18 yard pass from Grady [Trevino kick good] 41-20 1:36
Power: Wise 16 yard pass from Jefferson [Czajkowski kick good] 41-27 1:00

Third Quarter:
Blaze: Stallings 1 yard run [Trevino kick good] 48-27 0:53

Fourth Quarter:
Blaze: Safety 50-27 13:53
Blaze: Urrutia 9 yard pass from Grady [Trevino kick good] 57-27 7:48
Blaze: Urrutia 7 yard pass from Grady [Trevino kick good] 64-27 0:03
Power: Baker 14 yard pass from Jefferson 64-33 0:00

— No Comments ↓
Posted in College Sports

 

23 Mar

PITT

published in category: College Sports on Saturday, March 23rd, 2013 – 5:11 pm

PITTSBURGH-Stating that he intends to "finish his career at the University of Pittsburgh," Pitt men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon reinforced that commitment today when he signed a 10-year contractual agreement that runs through the 2022-23 season.

Dixon owns the highest winning percentage in school history (.753) with a 262-86 record from 2003-13. He has led the Panthers to nine NCAA Tournaments in 10 seasons, the most NCAA appearances by a Pitt coach.

"Pitt and Pittsburgh are home," Dixon said. "My family and I feel blessed to be part of such a great institution and wonderful city. It is the people who truly make a place special. I could not be surrounded by better players, staff and administration. These aren't just people I work for and with every day. They're friends and I'm very thankful for that. I would like to express special appreciation to our leadership team of Chancellor Mark Nordenberg, Athletic Director Steve Pederson and Executive Vice Chancellor Jerry Cochran. Their guidance and friendship have been invaluable. I greatly appreciate the faith and support they have always shown me since my arrival at Pitt."

First joining Pitt as associate head coach in 1999, Dixon has constructed one of the country's most successful and durable men's basketball programs. Pitt is one of only seven teams nationally to advance to the NCAA Tournament in 11 of the past 12 seasons (2002-13). That elite group includes Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, Pitt, Texas and Wisconsin.

Dixon compiled a .658 winning percentage (127-66) in Big East regular-season play, the highest in league history and ahead of Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (.654), Louisville's Rick Pitino (.653) and retired Georgetown coach John Thompson (.653).

Fielding one of the youngest teams of his tenure this past season, Dixon led the Panthers to a 24-9 overall record and 12-6 Big East mark. Four starters and eight total lettermen return for 2013-14, Pitt's inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"Very few programs can match the sustained success that Pitt basketball has achieved during the past decade under Jamie Dixon," Pederson said. "As we move forward as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, our future has never been brighter or provided more opportunity. In order to maintain and build upon our past success, it was important to our university and athletic department that we make a strong long-term commitment to Jamie. He has been far more than a basketball coach at Pitt and we are fortunate to have such a high-caliber person representing our university. I look forward to continuing to work with Jamie as he leads our program into an exciting new era in the ACC."

-PITT-

— No Comments ↓
Posted in College Sports

 

22 Mar

Adrian's Pizza Hockey Show in Gibsonia

published in category: Uncategorized on Friday, March 22nd, 2013 – 11:08 am

We are broadcasting live from Adrian's Pizza in Gibsonia today starting at 5pm with the Adrian's Pizza Pittsburgh Hockey Show plus March Madness Updates-John Steigerwald, Ken Laird, Michael Grau and Daniel Dudley. Stop by Adrian's Pizza in Gibsonia to win prizes and check out the show.

— No Comments ↓
Posted in Uncategorized

 

22 Mar

The Kunitz and Crosby Chemistry by Michelle Methot

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, March 22nd, 2013 – 11:06 am

Since Sidney Crosby arrived in Pittsburgh there has been a constant job posting for someone who can play on Crosby's wing. Every trade deadline and free agency has passed without an acquisition of someone that could thrive on a line with the best player in the National Hockey League. With Crosby missing over 50% of the last two NHL seasons, his return to NHL supremacy this season can be attributed in part to the success of the guy skating on his left side. Chris Kunitz's contribution to the Penguins this season has been just as significant as Sidney Crosby's MVP season thus far. The job description for playing with the best player in the NHL is much more complex than just always getting the puck on the stick of Sidney Crosby. Crosby has always been a player that stacks up points in the assists column and having a player that can complete his plays and score from all areas of offensive zone is an incredible asset.
The acquisition of Chris Kunitz in a trade in which Ray Shero sent Ryan Whitney to Anaheim has become one of the General Manager's greatest transactions. In the four seasons since Kunitz arrived in Pittsburgh he has increased his point production each season and is on pace to scoring a career high in goals in a shortened 48-games season. Kunitz currently leads the league in plus/minus with a plus-24 and is within the top five in the league leaders for goals and points in the NHL. Kunitz has assisted on 46% of Crosby's goals and Crosby has also contributed on 14 of Kunitz's 18 goals. Their chemistry has contributed to the Penguin's offensive success on the ice and the line combination of Crosby, Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis has become the top in the league producing 111 points through 31 games.
With the NHL trade deadline less than two weeks away, Ray Shero will be weighing his defensive options rather than pushing to acquire a top six winger. The asking price for big names on the market such as Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames and Chris Stewart of the St. Louis Blues will likely be greater than what Ray Shero is willing to give up. The play of the top six forwards in Pittsburgh is arguably at the highest caliber than what has been evident in the Sidney Crosby era. Beau Bennett is proving that he is an NHL ready forward and if Evgeni Malkin can get healthy and continue his ongoing chemistry with right winger James Neal, a top six forward is not a priority for the Penguins. If Ray Shero happens to work his magic as he always seems to do around the trade deadline, look for a spot to be filled on Malkin's wing rather than Crosby's. There are 29 other teams in the league that would love to have the chemistry of a first line with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. Ray Shero is not about to throw another player into the mix.

— No Comments ↓
Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 

21 Mar

Pittsburgh Power 2013 season/Week 1 preview by Dominic Errico

published in category: College Sports on Thursday, March 21st, 2013 – 12:23 pm

We are just about ready to kick off the 2013 season for the Pittsburgh Power. The team announced their "final" roster today, Josh Smith suffered an injury while preparing for training camp and will not be ready for the season opener.

A few players return again for the Power, but overall there are a lot of new faces suiting up for the team this year. Considering the final results from last season, that's probably a good thing.

Let's take a look at the team a bit more in depth.

There wasn't much to write home about last year as the Power struggled to a 5-13 season. The only truly memorable game was an AFL record 31-point comeback victory over the Orlando Predators.

The team seemed to lack direction and the losses piled up, leading to the dismissal of head coach Chris Siegfried. Defensive coordinator Derek Stingley took over and the team seemed to rally around him a bit more, winning two of their last four games to head into the offseason.

It's obvious change is needed anytime you post that kind of record, and the Power have made quite a few changes to the roster and are fully prepared to kickoff the 2013 season Saturday night against the Utah Blaze.

Fans who have followed the Power since their inception will know that it's been the team's inability to find a solid quarterback that's led to failure. Here's hoping AFL rookie quarterback Jordan Jefferson is finally the superstar they need to take this team to the playoffs.

Jefferson starred at LSU, appearing in the national championship game and he threw for 4733 yards and 34 touchdowns and added over 1000 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in his collegiate career.

Running back Kirby Griffin is another new face will start in the backfield for the Power. Griffin did not play in the AFL last year but was a strong part of the Jacksonville Sharks march to the 2011 title. Griffin has 32 rushing touchdowns in his two years in the AFL so far, and looks to build upon that total this year for the Power.

Two familiar faces headline the Power receiving corps. Mike "The Joystick" Washington is back for his third season with the Power. He's caught 229 passes for 2851 yards and 64 touchdowns the past two years and looks to continue putting up strong stats for the Power.

2012 First team all-arena kick returner and 2011 JLS Ironman of the Year P.J. "Superman" Berry is also back in the fold. Berry has posted two consecutive seasons with 2000 return yards, but he also knows how to catch the ball. He has 4227 receiving yards and 78 touchdowns through the air, and also has run for 18 more in a 3-year career.

Center Beau Elliott, a former 2nd team all-arena center, is back for his second season for his hometown team. The IUP and Highlands High School grad is an absolute beast in the middle of the Power line and will be looking to help newcomers Jason Thomas and Daverin Geralds mesh into a formidable front wall for the Power.

The true strength of this team is going to be the defense. This was a group that was 2nd in the AFL in yards allowed last year but struggled at times to force turnovers. They needed playmakers and I feel the team did a great job of getting them.

The biggest offseason grab was adding first team all-arena jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson. Jackson tied for the lead league in interceptions (14) last year as a linebacker. He's played in coach Stingley's defense several times and knows the ins and outs and should bring fear to opposing defense because of his coverage skills.

Upfront, look for 2nd year man Dominie Pittman to improve upon his rookie season in which he notched 5.5 sacks. AFL veteran Neil Purvis lines up on the other side. He has battled injuries both years he has played for the Power but he is capable of generating a strong pass rush. Rookie Willie McGinnis will play nose tackle.

The Power also upgraded the secondary. Chris LeFlore returns for a second season and set a Power franchise record with nine interceptions last year. Sergio Gilliam comes over from Kansas City where he had six interceptions last year. They also added Brandon Freeman who has two years of AFL experience and the team is also high on Tank Calais.

Josh Smith was supposed to handle the kicking duties for the Power but injured himself in practice so the Power will open up the season with Josh Czajkowski from N.C. State. Regardless of who does the kicking for the Power they will have to improve upon the dreadful 70% extra point percentage the team posted last year.

They draw a tough battle in week one against the Utah Blaze. The Blaze fell one game short of the ArenaBowl last year, losing to the Arizona Rattlers 75-69 in the National Conference championship game. Reigning league MVP quarterback Tommy Grady once again leads a potent passing attack.

He'll have Aaron Lesue (154 rec, 1787 yards, 55 TD), Brandon Thompkins (76 rec, 906 yards, 26 TD's), and L.J. Castile (104 rec, 1196 yards, 27 TD's) leading the way in a strong receiving group.

Defensively, Utah was practically an unstoppable force last year, earning the nickname "Sack Lake City." Caesar Rayford has 22.5 sacks in his previous three seasons with Utah and teammate Keenan Mace led all AFL nose guards with 7 sacks last year.

Be sure to keep an eye on new mack linebacker Joe Mortensen who is looking to make a name for himself this year for the Blaze.

Overall it should be an interesting matchup in Pittsburgh this week. If Jefferson can prove he belongs in the AFL and limit the turnovers, the Power could be looking at a chance to make an early statement. The defense gets a chance to show right away what it can do against top flight competition. This is the kind of game that sets the tone for the season.

It's time to see what these guys can do.

— No Comments ↓
Posted in College Sports

 



Podcasts