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It’s Time For Nick Gonzales
The Pirates are absolutely reeling right now. They’ve just lost their sixth straight game, and suffered back to back sweeps at the hands of the New York Mets and now, Boston Red Sox. Their most recent defeat, I would argue, is their worst one yet. Boston was clearly phoning it in on a Sunday afternoon…
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Pirates Pitching Continues To Struggle Amidst Quinn Priester’s Season Debut
As the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to spiral, their struggles on the mound have become a real concern. The Pirates lost their fourth straight game on Friday night against the Red Sox at home. Three of their four losses have seen the Bucs give up 6+ runs, with another shellacking at the hands of Boston. Though…
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Evaluating Who Among The Young Guns Has A Real NHL Chance Next Year
During his end of season press conference today, Penguins President of Hockey Operations (and de facto general manager) Kyle Dubas sat at the podium and fielded questions for roughly a half an hour. Though there were lots of things he said that warrant further conversation and evaluation, today I want to examine when he was…
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Assessing The Penguins’ Pending Free Agent Class
Well, with the season officially, officially over with, it’s time to turn our attention to what promises to be a very interesting offseason. There are so many questions facing this team, who finds itself in the same exact position they were in last year, mathematically eliminated with one game to go. As a result of…
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Judgement Day, Part Two
After doing all they could to hold on in the playoff race for one more day, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been eliminated from postseason contention. Both games that Pittsburgh fans were watching today went against the team, but in the end, only one mattered. Washington was able to take advantage of an ultra-desperate Philadelphia Flyers…
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Judgement Day, Part One
There was an awkward aura in the air during Fan Appreciation Night’s postgame ceremonies. While selected fans gathered on the ice for the annual jersey giveaway from each player on the roster, a feeling of uncertainty clouded the arena. At least it was better than last year. Do we all remember the second hand embarrassment…
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Another Emil Bemström Six Goal Watch™ Update
My friends, we once again have an update on our official Fifth Avenue Sports Emil Bemström Six Goal Watch™. I started this after the Penguins had sent a sixth round pick and forward Alex Nylander to Columbus to acquire him. That sixth round pick, however, had a strange condition to it: if Bemström scored six…
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Baseball’s 300 Home Runs Club Welcomes Its Newest Member
The wait is over! Andrew McCutchen’s first home run of the season marks the 300th of his Major League Baseball career, a milestone both he and Pirates fans have been waiting for. McCutchen’s 300th blast came in the form of a two-run shot in Philadelphia in the top of the ninth inning to extend Pittsburgh’s…
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Penguins Dealt Near Death Blow By Bruins
It was an awful day for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Putrid. Disgusting. Depressing. Everything that could have gone wrong for the Penguins did, as they watched control over their own fate slip from their grasp in a 6-4 loss to the Bruins. But it wasn’t just a loss to the Bruins that helped destroy their playoff…
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Is Bailey Falter Secretly Good At Baseball?
Alright, I’ll admit it. It’s a premature question. However, I would like to point out how awesome it is that this is a question that can be asked, given what we saw take place in the opening week for Bailey Falter. Falter has not had it easy over his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates so…
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The Erik Karlsson Experience™
Alright, everyone have time to catch their breath? After a stunning, back and forth, scream until your voice runs out kind of night, the Pittsburgh Penguins snatched an overtime victory from the Detroit Red Wings, and will wake up tomorrow morning with a playoff spot in hand. Overtime victory. A big reason for both of…
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Is It Time To Worry About David Bednar?
The Pittsburgh Pirates held an 3-1 lead over the Detroit Tigers heading into the ninth inning this afternoon. Starter Marin Pérez had given the Pirates a stellar outing. He went 8.0 innings, striking out 7 batters and issuing no walks as he allowed just a solo run in the first inning. The Pirates, off the…
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Michael Bunting Has Been Exactly What This Penguins Team Needs
Back when the trade was first announced, the one that sent Jake Guentzel to Carolina, a lot of people were not happy with the return. They were underwhelmed by the prospects coming back in the deal (who were ranked 6th, 7th, and 9th in the organization), and they were unhappy with the roster player coming…
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Who Wore It Last? Steelers Jersey Number Edition
Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced a host of new numbers for their incoming additions. Eleven new players and their new threads were unveiled, including a few surprising selections by players. Jersey numbers have always fascinated me. To some players it’s just a complete random pick. To others, it’s a symbol of a personal story or…
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In The Biggest Game Of The Season, Penguins Step Up
In the latest chapter of the Penguins-Capitals rivalry, a non-playoff game had a complete playoff feel as Pittsburgh charged forward to a 4-1 win. Heading into the game three points back of Washington for the second wild card spot, you could not understate how crucial this game was for the Penguins (or the Capitals for…
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Penguins Need To Ride Hot Hand, Keep Ned In Net
Last night was bonkers. After seven straight losses against the New Jersey Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins first looked destined to make it eight. Heading into the third period, the Penguins found themselves down 3-1 in the Garden State, and the Devils were surging after scoring twice in the second frame. Low and behold, however, a…
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Penguins Pose Excellent Opportunity For NCAA Free Agent Collin Graf, Should He Decide To Take It
There is quite the buzz about undrafted college free agent Collin Graf. With his NCAA season with Quinnipiac University ending this weekend, the 21-year-old is now free to sign with any team he wants. And almost every team wants him. Michael Russo has reported that nearly 25 teams – over 3/4 of the NHL, have…
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An Update On Emil Bemström Six Goal Watch
At long last, Fifth Avenue Sports can finally provide you with an update on our official Emil Bemström Six Goal Watch™. Back on February 22nd, the Penguins traded forward Alex Nylander (who was in the AHL in the Pens’ organization at the time) and a 2026 sixth round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in…
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Joel Blomqvist, Goaltenders, And The Road Ahead
For those of you who don’t keep an eye on the prospect pipeline of the Pittsburgh Penguins, allow me to introduce you to Joel Blomqvist. Aside from maybe Brayden Yager, he is the prospect I am highest on in the Penguins’ low prospect pool. Blomqvist is a 6′ 2 goaltender from Finland who las lit…
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These Buccos Battle
For the first time in over 100 years, the Pirates have opened the season with a sweep on the road. The Pirates won all four games in Miami against the Marlins, the final game including a comeback from 5-0 down to win it 9-7 in extra innings. Pittsburgh opened the year with a 12-inning game…
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Jose Hernandez The Unlikely Hero In Pirates’ Opening Day Win
Pirates reliever Jose Hernandez could have never expected what transpired for him on Opening Day. Mostly because he wouldn’t be on the team. The Pirates’ bullpen, thought to be the best strength of this baseball team, lost several arms before the regular season even began. Dauri Moreta is out for the year, and Colin Holderman…
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All Of The Penguins-Hurricanes Connections
As I was spending this morning remarking at Jesse Puljujärvi’s performance for the Penguins last night as they hosted the Hurricanes, I mentioned that Puljujärvi, an ex-Hurricane, had stolen the show away from ex-Penguin Jake Guentzel in his first game back in Pittsburgh since the trade. But besides Puljujärvi and Guentzel, there are far more…
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Jesse Puljujärvi Flips The Script In Jake Guentzel’s Homecoming
Tuesday night’s game featuring the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins offered a lot in the entertainment department. It was Jake Guentzel’s first game back in Pittsburgh since the trade that sent him to Carolina. Guentzel, a fan favorite and Stanley Cup winner in 2017 with the team, traveled to PPG Paints Arena as a visitor…
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Steelers Already Prepared As NFL Changes Kickoff Rules
Shortly after the NFL announced that they would be changing the way that kickoffs are done, the Pittsburgh Steelers went out and signed one of the league’s most dangerous return men in Cordarrelle Patterson. The Steelers and Patterson agreed to terms on a two year deal worth a reported $6 million. Of course, there’s the…
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Steelers Address Draft Need With Free Agency Instead
With the Pittsburgh Steelers signing free agent Russell Wilson, and trading for Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears, the team has already addressed the major gaps in the quarterback position. However, the third string quarterback spot was still open, leaving many to believe the Steelers would use a Day 3 draft pick in April to…
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Pirates Under Fire For Failing Due Diligence On Domingo German
A rather damning story about new Pirates pitcher Domingo German was recently published in NJ.com has the organization under fire for an apparent lack of due diligence on the signing. The Pirates signed German to a minor league contract a few weeks ago, taking a flyer on a guy who they believed was willing to…
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Jack St. Ivany Will Make NHL Debut Tonight With Pens
After being shuffled up and down between the AHL and NHL the last week, defenseman Jack St. Ivany will make his NHL debut tonight as the Penguins visit the Stars in Dallas. The Penguins recalled St. Ivany yesterday, marking his third recall in the last week. That move corresponded with Jonathan Gruden being re-assigned to…
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Pirates’ Dauri Moreta Had UCL Surgery, Will Miss 14-16 Months
Per reporting by Alex Stumpf, who covers the Pittsburgh Pirates for MLB.com, reliever Dauri Moreta has underwent UCL surgery, and will be out for all of 2024. His official recovery time is 14-16 months. If he takes all 16 months to recover, he would not be available to the Pirates until mid-July of 2025. The…
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Billy McKinney Has To Make The Opening Day Roster
There have been several players who have impressed in spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but no one has showed out quite like outfielder Billy McKinney. McKinney isn’t your typical spring training standout. He isn’t some too young kid who makes you want to believe he’s ready for the majors, even when he isn’t. He…
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Penguins’ Collapse In New Jersey Means It’s Over…No, For Real This Time
This happens at least once a week nowadays. A bad loss sets the Pittsburgh Penguins back, and we all say “well, it’s over,” and then in the next game they show up and win, and we all become the famous meme. But this time is different. There is no masculine urge to say “we’re back”…
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Opinion: Let Kenny Pickett Be, He’s Only Hurting Himself
Even after he is gone and no longer a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenny Pickett is still the talk of the town. In his recent introductory press conference with his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, the newest quarterback on the roster said he was confident in the way he handled things in Pittsburgh, and…
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Is There A Resurgence In Reilly Smith’s Game?
Last night, after the Pittsburgh Penguins clipped the Detroit Red Wings 6-3 at home, I tweeted out my thoughts on Reilly Smith’s game as of late. As has been told before, Smith had an incredibly hot start to the season for the Penguins, but cooled off in a hurry and never recovered. The winger was…
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Why Not Both?
They said it couldn’t be done. They said it wouldn’t be done. But the Steelers went ahead and did it anyway. In the latest in one of the most uncharacteristic offseasons in franchise history, the Steelers have completely flipped their quarterback room. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were two of the biggest names connected to…
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The Sun Sets On A Weird Era In Pittsburgh Football
In an absolute stunner, the Pittsburgh Steelers have traded quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles in a pick swap type of deal. The official deal goes as follows: Eagles reiceve: QB Kenny Pickett, pick No. 120 Steelers receive: pick No. 98, two seventh round picks in 2025 The embattled first round pick from two…
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The Black And Yellow Blip That Was Antti Niemi
In terms of worst runs in Pittsburgh sports history, Antti Niemi might take the cake in recent history. Challengers in the last few years have included Steelers players Gunner Olszewski and Mitch Trubisky, but Niemi provides a unique level of struggle to his time in Pittsburgh that is unlike anything else. What made it all the more surprising…
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So, You’re Saying There’s A Chance
It was an absolutely crazy day for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fans woke up this morning to a statement by the team that the shipment of Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads, which the team was set to give away at tonight’s game, had been stolen en route to Pittsburgh. This led to some of the greatest hockey humor…
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Farewell, Sweet Prince
As the Russell Wilson era begins in Pittsburgh, the sun sets on the Mason Rudolph era. Maybe calling Mason’s time “era” is a bit of a stretch, but with the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Wilson to a one-year deal, it almost certainly ends Rudolph’s time with the team. Rudolph is an unrestricted free agent, and with…
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Steelers Nation, Let’s Ride?
Russell Wilson is a Pittsburgh Steeler. Imagine hearing that sentence a few years ago. Per reporting from Ian Rapoport, the Steelers are signing the quarterback to a one year deal for $1.2 million after his release from the Denver Broncos. Wilson visited the Steelers on Friday, spending several hours at the facility. His next destination…
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Penguins Move Ruhwedel As Deadline Nears
Once the Jake Guentzel trade happened, we all expected the dominos to start to fall. I did not think, however, that Chad Ruhwedel would be the first one. The Penguins traded the veteran defenseman to the New York Rangers in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2027. Woof. Ruhwedel, 33, has played in 47…
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The Full Guentzel Trade, A Quick Return Analysis
My friends, the moment we were all dreading has finally come. The Jake Guentzel trade is complete, officially. This unveiling of the trade has ben a mess from the start, but it’s here and, I’m not going to lie: it’s underwhelming. The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded Jake Guentzel and defenseman Ty Smith (hey remember him?)…
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The Jake Guentzel Trade Wasn’t Good, But It Wasn’t A Fleece
It’s the first morning that Jake Guentzel is no longer a Pittsburgh Penguin. It’s crushing to think that his final skate in black and yellow was alone, in practice, while rehabbing from injury. Now that we all have had a little bit of time to process this whole ordeal, I wanted to take a broader…
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The End Of An Era: Thoughts As The Penguins Get Demolished On And Off Ice
Yesterday morning, as I was getting dressed, I reached into the top drawer. That’s the drawer that contains all my Penguins shirts, so naturally, it’s overflowing. I rummaged around in there for a while, before pulling out a shirt that was about halfway through the pile. It was my Jake Guentzel name and number shirt.…
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Reilly Smith Did The Penguins A Big Favor, And It Was About Time
Reilly Smith may have played his best game as a Pittsburgh Penguin. I say may because he had a few really good games in that early stretch of the season, when he looked like an absolute steal from the Vegas Golden Knights. He also may have played his last game as a Pittsburgh Penguin. In…
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So Long Matthew Phillips, We Barely Got To Knew You
One of the quickest, strangest runs for an NHL player in Pittsburgh came to an end earlier today, when the Washington Capitals claimed forward Matthew Phillips off waivers from the Penguins. Phillips joined the Penguins just a few weeks prior, when the team claimed him off waivers from Washington. Phillips was in the midst of…
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Three Under The Radar Players Who Could Be Traded By The Pens
In case you missed it, the Pittsburgh Penguins are sellers. They have to be after an abysmal west coast trip saw them net only 2 out of an available 8 points. After getting shutout in Seattle, blowing a 3-1 third period lead in Calgary, and getting demolished in Edmonton, the writing is on the wall…
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Sell, Sell, Sell
The path forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins is clear. After three straight losses to close out their west coast road trip, the plug has finally been pulled on the playoff hopes of these Penguins. It’s over. To stay realistically in the race, the Penguins needed a near perfect run on the west coast, and that…
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Was Seattle The Nail In Penguins’ Coffin?
Last night was a hard watch. Games that start at 10pm ET usually are, but when they go the way they did for the Penguins, it gets a lot harder. No matter what they did, Pittsburgh could not get anything going on the road against the Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle scored a fluky…
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Reilly Smith Is On The Move…Right?
Here’s a funny story: a few weeks ago, in early February, I sat in the Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh. I had some time to kill before I had to run out and catch a flight to Florida later in the evening. While I sat there, I went down a hockey stats rabbit…
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Termarr Johnson, 19, Steals The Show In Pittsburgh’s Third Spring Training Game
In Pittsburgh’s third spring training game, this time against the Toronto Blue Jays, 19-year old top Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson lit up the game log, even if the Pirates lost. Johnson, the fourth overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Pirates, blasted not one, but two home runs against the Blue Jays in…
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We Are Officially On Emil Bemström Six-Goal Watch
Emil Bemström wasted little time making a name for himself in a Pittsburgh Penguins uniform. The team’s recent addition via trade scored his first goal as a Penguin in his debut game, and he picked a great time to do it. The team needed as many hands on deck as possible in their crazy, thrilling,…
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Liover Peguero Makes Early Case For The Second Base Job
In the first Pirates spring training game this season broadcast on tv, potential second baseman Liover Peguero came ready to play. The 23-year old broke onto the major league scene last year, when he got into 59 games for the Pirates after earning a call-up. His rise to the Pirates was surprising and rather rapid.…
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Henry Davis Impresses In Spring Training Debut
Baseball is officially back, baby! The Pirates opened up spring training play in the Grapefruit League today, paying the Minnesota Twins a visit in Fort Myers, Florida. For the Pirates, there were lots of interesting names to keep an eye on, including Canaan Smith-Njigba and Edward Olivares, who both started in Pittsburgh’s opening game. But…
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The Banishment Of Ty Smith
I have to give credit to Andrew Destin over at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. His article on the present day-Ty Smith helped spark this deep dive I went into Smith’s career. His article, which you can find here, provides an interesting look into Smith’s thoughts now, almost two years removed from the trade. But to understand how…
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I’m A Big Fan Of The Emil Bemström Trade
Consider it the unofficial beginning of Kyle Dubas’ vision moving forward. Unofficial, because it doesn’t involve moving out anyone currently on the NHL roster, and it’s not the headliner type of trade that the Penguins might be making several of in the next few weeks. It also doesn’t really fit the style of trade that…
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