NOTEBOOK BUZZ
— Rumblings, Musings, Opinions —
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Coaching Winds: Whether it’s the Doug Wilson or Vukie Mpofu connection, there’s been a little bit of whispers in league circles that if Mike Sullivan decides to seek a mutual parting and all indications are that is going to be the only way he’s not the head coach in Pittsburgh next season per multiple sources this week, To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! short-list of candidates…………
Defenseman Jack St Ivany has been recalled for a look at the NHL level and the right handed defenseman has been among the big surprises during the current regimes’ evaluation process of the Penguins holdovers in the system. Ivany was a Flyers draft pick and later signed by Ron Hextall in 2022. His development To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
NHL Buzz: Expansion is Coming…….Expansion is coming to 34 teams…….Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith after matching FSG’s offer for the Penguins and getting by passed by Ron Burkle despite having support from a few former big money Penguins minority owners, To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
There are rumblings Carolina, confident they can sign Jake Guentzel, is planning to aggressively try to sign Guentzel over the next couple weeks and some speculation among executives that if it gets finalized, the rumored shorter term is going to make Penguin fans lose their mind. However, sounds like before Guentzel would sign on the dotted line he would like some clarity on the coaching situation………….
Fleury, Fleury…….560th career win and 75th career shutout as the Minnesota Wild have clawed back into the playoff race and Fleury’s been a big reason why. The Penguins marketing team are not the only ones crossing their fingers that Fleury embraces a return to Pittsburgh next season. Kyle Dubas said to be a huge To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Fleury though is becoming quite entrenched with Minnesota…….
______________________________________________________________________________________________
MORE BUZZ
Tomlin a Recruiting Machine: What a PR week for the Pittsburgh Steelers and what this week has showed again is the power of Mike Tomlin. Tomlin’s situation is different than Mike Sullivan when it comes to both franchises being stuck in this middle ground area. Tomlin has to manage 50+ players, egos, and his greatest strength is his recruiting ability with young players and veterans. The fawning over Mike Tomlin was something today with the free agent introductions and vice versa with the way Tomlin was looking at Russell Wilson. My man is in love……..
QB1: There was nothing more clear today than the facts that Russell Wilson is QB1. The heavy recruiting by stars Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick + Tomlin, Kenny Pickett will go into camp with no support to be the starter. This group isn’t just talking playoffs, Wilson’s up here talking a seventh Lombardi Trophy. Best case for Pickett might be a trade but in a Steelers uniform, the only thing that is going to change fortunes for him is to just put on a good face and wait his chance if Russell Wilson falters and he can come in and maybe be the hero. It’s the only script left for Pickett. Tomlin is just wasting his breath with the media if he’s going to act like this is going to be open competition to start. The veterans on this team have spoken……………… To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
