The Penguins just don’t seem to value first-round draft picks. They proved it again last Friday when the Stanley Cup Champs sent their first-rounder and Oskar Sundqvist to St. Louis for tough guy Ryan Reaves and a second-round pick. The trade has drawn mixed reactions. Most fans don’t seem to like it, and I’m one of those. Then again, Jim Rutherford knows a lot more about hockey than any of us do. The deal gives the Pens a guy who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves, hit anything in sight, and protect stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who were thoroughly abused in the playoffs. It was a steep price to pay for the Penguins. I just hope it was worth it.
• The deal to acquire Reaves also leaves the Penguins even more vulnerable. By dealing the 23 year old Sundqvist who most assumed would be the Pens’ third or fourth line center next year, the club now has two holes to fill at the position. It also gives free agent Nick Bonino more leverage as he hits the market on July 1. The Pens would love to bring back Bonino, and now they need him more than ever. But they can’t pay him ridiculous dollars to do so. There’s always the chance that Matt Cullen may not retire and come back for one more year. Reports are the Pens would love to bring him back, even though he’s in his forties. Jim Rutherford has work to do as he re-tools the champs for another run. The next few weeks will be very interesting for Penguins’ fans.
• Marc Andre Fleury is officially a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. It was strange to see The Flower in his new jersey after more than a decade in Pittsburgh colors. But it’s a great opportunity for Fleury to resurrect his career. Before leaving Pittsburgh the other day, Fleury and his wife opened a playground they paid for in the Pittsburgh area. His first full day in the desert Fleury helped conduct a street hockey clinic in his new town. Fleury will be missed in Pittsburgh, and you can bet he will get a hero’s welcome when he returns to Pittsburgh next February 6th.
• If you had told me the Pirates would go 4-3 on their road trip to Milwaukee and St. Louis I would take that every time. And to think, it could have been so much better. The Buccos let a few games slip away in Milwaukee after taking the opening two games of the series. They were actually in a position to sweep the Cardinals Sunday night before the Pirates’ pitchers melted down in the late innings. The bullpen remains a sore spot for the Pirates. Other than Felipe Rivero, there’s no one Clint Hurdle can count on. Tony Watson is no longer reliable, and Wade LeBlanc is simply awful. Incredibly, the Pirates are only a few games out of the NL Central lead. If they had a bullpen, who knows where they’d be.
• One again, Gerrit Cole is pitching like the Pirates’ ace. That’s good news for the big right-hander and even better news for the Bucs. Whatever was wrong with Cole appears to be fixed. His command is so much better, and he’s not giving up so many bombs. With Cole back on track it would not be surprising to see the Pirates receive lots of offers for him at the trade deadline. The Astros and Yankees are two teams who have been mentioned as having interest in Cole. I doubt the Pirates will deal Cole this year. But if they get an offer they can’t turn down I think they should take it. Because like it or not, Cole will leave Pittsburgh after the 2019 season when his contract expires.
• One area of concern for the Pirates is at the catching position. Francisco Cervelli is dealing with some serious issues that may sideline him for some time, and could possibly even end his career. All of the shots he’s taken to the head have taken their toll on the Buccos’ popular catcher. Cervelli is one guy the Pirates can’t afford to lose. This might present a great opportunity for Elias Diaz. He’s looked pretty good since making his way to Pittsburgh. But can he fill Cervelli’s shoes? We’ll soon find out.
• Jordan Spieth hasn’t had many highs on the golf course since blowing up at the Masters two years ago. Perhaps he’s back after his dramatic win at The Traveler’s on Sunday in a playoff. Spieth made a sensational chip in off the 18th green for the win. He’s now the second fastest golfer to ten wins on tour before the age of 24. Some guy named Tiger was first. Here’s to hoping Spieth can recapture his magic on tour. He’s good for the game, and is one of the really good young stars worth tuning in to watch every week.
• Lonzo Ball and his family got their wish. UCLA’s one and done player went second to the hometown Los Angeles Lakers in last week’s NBA Draft. Now the fun begins, as the Lakers have to deal with Lavar Ball, Lonzo’s headcase of a father. By all accounts Lonzo is a good kid. Still, a few NBA players are already talking about trying to shut the kid down next year, just because they can’t stand his father. I feel for the kid. I don’t feel for the father. He’s a major league idiot.
