The Penguins only managed a split at home over the weekend. That was a little disappointing. The Pens are sitting right on the line of either making the playoffs or just missing out, so every game is important as they head down the stretch. That said, there were some real positives versus Calgary and the Rangers. Justin Schultz returned to the lineup after missing more than fifty games and looked really good. The best thing was the return of Evgeni Malkin. Geno, who has struggled for most of the season, simply dominated play with four goals and an assist. He looked like the guy who won the Conn Smythe a few years ago. Malkin is mad and he is motivated. If he plays like this over the next few weeks, the Pens will make the playoffs and possibly have another long run.
• It was strange not having IUP’s teams in action over the weekend. Both the men and women have a week off before wrapping up their regular season. The men are now 22-2, while the women are 21-1. What a remarkable season it’s been for both teams. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far both IUP teams go come March.
• So, apparently Antonio Brown has had a change of heart and will meet with Steelers’ owner Art Rooney. My, that’s awfully big of him. Don’t know what made Brown actually have the decency to agree to meet with his boss after not returning any of his calls since the season ended. I am quite positive that no matter what is discussed in the meeting, if it actually takes place, there’s no way the Steelers will bring Brown back in 2019. I actually hope Rooney tells the narcissistic Brown that the team never won a Super Bowl with him, but hopefully will without him. The AB train has left the station, and hopefully soon.
• I can’t wait until April. It’s not only spring, it’s also when the Masters takes place. This year I will finally get to Augusta and witness the opening round of the most prestigious tournament in golf. I’ve been to plenty of US Open Golf tournaments but they don’t compare to the Masters. I can’t wait.
• It was only a matter of time until a NFL team signed Kareem Hunt, the former Kansas City Chiefs running back who was cut after a domestic violence incident last season. Hunt is a talented player, and NFL teams covet talent. The Cleveland Browns are stockpiling talent, and their General Manager, John Dorsey, knows Hunt from his days in KC. There’s no question that Hunt can help the Browns. When that will be remains unclear, as Hunt is most likely facing a lengthy suspension from the NFL. If he’s cleared, and my guess is he will play again, Cleveland has added a tremendous player to their roster. Dorsey has also put his neck on the line. Hunt may get a second chance but that will be his last one. The Browns and Dorsey better be right.
• The NFL blinked. I don’t understand why the league settled with Colin Kaepernick in his collusion case. If I was a team owner I wouldn’t want the guy who started the kneeling for the national anthem movement either. Now he probably got millions by threatening the league. Ridiculous. I hope Kaepernick never plays another down in the NFL. He’s no hero.
• Now that spring training has started, it will be interesting to see if any of the big name free agents sign deals this week. I don’t blame clubs for not wanting to offer ten year deals worth over three hundred million dollars for players anymore, even if the players and their agents aren’t happy about it. The next few weeks could be really interesting.
