Notebook Buzz: Malkin to have a new surprise left winger in 2023-2024?

TIOPS NOTEBOOK BUZZ

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—Mike Sullivan embracing To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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— Pittsburgh fans think Mike Tomlin has the best job security in sports. How about Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen? Mike Babcock being forced out in Columbus before he even held his first training camp has become quite the National story. Early last week Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau appeared to have saved Babcock’s job but that was short-lived. Babcock made so many enemies during his time in Toronto, it’s crazy he kept continuing this weird phone thing he’s done for years. Babcock’s coaching career is over and another fascinating layer to all of this is league executives have indicated the New York Rangers job was Babcock’s if he wanted, but he preferred the Columbus job because there would be less media pressure and it was a great spot for a redemption tour. This phone thing became a concern for one team that seriously considered hiring Babcock a few years ago and that was the To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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— Rumblings, Musings, Opinions: After losing the backyard brawl and off to an 0-2 start, it’s a stunner Pitt hasn’t sent out a press release, yet that Pitt Football coach Pat Narduzzi has been extended through 2037. Those who know Narduzzi aren’t surprised as he continues to defend Phil Jurkovic. When he digs in, he digs in. Less than three games in, any buzz around the program is already gone for the season. There’s no getting out of this with Jurkovic and seven wins would be a major accomplishment………………..

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An 0-2 start was not necessarily going to be a death sentence for the Steelers season, but had they lost with how inept the offense looked, it would have been pretty close to it. The 2019 offense with Duck Hodges at the helm put more fear into defenses ………..The Baltimore Ravens look primed to be the biggest threat to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs this season. in the AFC………

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Ben Cherington is saying all the right things about the possibility of bringing Andrew McCutchen back in 2024. “There’s a desire for him to return to be sure,” Cherington said on his weekly radio show (937 The Fan). There’s one obstacle; Even with the injury and age, the McCutchen camp eyes a $7-$8 million a year payday after taking a discount to return in 2023.