Can a certain Steelers veteran re-sign during free agency?
This is where we start Monday’s “first call”.
We also look at the Penguins’ next opponent after firing the Buffalo Sabers. We are watching the leading New York Islanders. And we have a mixed bag on the ice from Neville Island.
Ask for All
One free agent who has long been considered a lock to walk away from the Steelers is attacking striker Alejandro Villanueva. But perhaps the ship had not yet completely sailed for those who hoped he would stay in Pittsburgh.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Steelers “had talks with Alejandro Villanueva, left, about a return, although they have not yet figured out the contract numbers.”
This is an interesting way to articulate the report. On the one hand, it sounds like the decision to keep playing was the biggest obstacle and now the finances are just a formality.
On the other hand, this could mean that Villanueva will only return if the price is right, as opposed to testing the market.
Or it could also mean that the Steelers have just started figuring out Villanueva’s interest in return, and they are now looking at whether the finances will make it worthwhile.
If Villanueva returns, will fellow free agent Zach Banner stay too? Especially since the Steelers may be tempted to put up another attacking attack in a deep talent pool this year.
Villanueva’s departure has been a foregone conclusion until this week. Now many preconceived notions about the course of action once he has departed are called into question.
Get them now
It’s always a good time to play the bad Buffalo Sabers. The Penguins proved it this weekend and beat Buffalo 5-2 and 3-0. The Sabers have lost ten in a row and are the worst team in hockey.
The Penguins might also get the Boston Bruins at the right time.
Those teams are entangled in rugby games Monday and Tuesday nights at PPG Paints Arena. Boston has won the previous two meetings between the group, 3-2 (OT) and 4-1. But the matches were again on January 26 and January 28.
The best goalkeeper, Tuukka Rask, got an injury and the team lost three of four and six of ten.
A lack of points has been a problem for Boston lately. In their three recent defeats, they lost 1-0 to New Jersey, 2-1 in a fight against the New York Islanders and 4-0 to the New York Rangers.
They beat the Rangers 4-0 earlier Thursday. The Bruins averaged 2.72 goals per game, 21st in the NHL.
Island for themselves
While the Penguins were idle Sunday, they once again saw the leading New York Islanders win in the Eastern Division. They beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in a shootout. Kieffer Bellows and Brock Nelson passed in regulation. Anthony Beauvillier and Oliver Wahlstrom succeeded in the shootout.
Our shooting goals by Beauvillier and Wahlstrom are our @NewYorkLottery Moment of the Game! pic.twitter.com/B9NAFz7LsP
– New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) 15 March 2021
These are nine consecutive victories for the islanders, seven of which ended against the devils and sabers.
They now have 42 points, four more than the Washington Capitals in second place and seven more than the Penguins, who live in third place with 35.
The Eagles landed
The Robert Morris Colonials men’s hockey team will not make it to a seventh consecutive Atlantic hockey championship weekend.
They lost in the quarterfinals to the Niagara Purple Eagles. The series lasted three matches. RMU wins match 1 with a final score of 3-2 in overtime. They lost 3-2 in double overtime in Game 2. Then on Sunday the Purple Eagles won a decisive 2-1 game to advance to the semifinals.
Highlights | Niagara wins Game 3 on its way to the @Atlantic_Hockey semifinals!
Highlights are offered by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.# Unusual pic.twitter.com/CtUM4MWQFx
– Niagara University Men’s Hockey (@ NiagaraMHKY) 15 March 2021
Derek Schooley’s club has won its ten previous playoff series of the best of three. They reached the semifinals of the conference at least six times in a row.
Niagara play in the semifinals with American International on Friday. The winner will battle the survivors of Army against Canisius in an attempt to host the NCAA tournament on Saturday night.
Looking for more
Meanwhile, the RMU women’s hockey team is playing Northeast Monday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The colonial battle for the best Huskies in Erie at 14:00 won RMU the CHA championship last weekend with victories over RIT, Mercyhurst and Syracuse.
Northeast is 20-1-1. Their lone loss of the season was for Boston College in their second game of the year. They are currently running a winning streak of 16 matches dating from January 9th.
The winner will face Minnesota-Duluth or Colgate on Thursday.
Tim Benz is a staff writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets can be re-posted. Unless otherwise stated, all emails are subject to publication.
Categories:
Penguins / NHL | Sport | Steelers / NFL | Breakfast with Benz