The 4 Nations Face-Off has delivered in every way imaginable. The most talented players in the game have been on display for the past week, including Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby.
For the Penguins captain, this tournament was his first chance to play alongside Canada’s next generation of stars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mitch Marner. While McDavid and MacKinnon are locked into their respective teams, Marner’s future remains a question.
The 27-year-old winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. While the Toronto Maple Leafs and Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, have discussed an extension, nothing appears imminent.
According to TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun, Marner’s desired salary could become a sticking point. “It really comes down to this: I don’t think the Leafs feel they can or will pay more than $13 million, maybe $12.5,” LeBrun said on TSN 1050 Overdrive last month. “I think that’s the clear line of demarcation.”
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If Marner shakes lose and enters the free agent market, the Penguins should be among the first to call.
General manager Kyle Dubas has referenced the New York Rangers turnaround on multiple occasions as somewhat of a blueprint for what he wants to achieve in Pittsburgh.
Shortly after beginning their rebuild, the Rangers signed superstar Artemi Panarin in free agency, making him the second-highest-paid player in the NHL. Doing the same with Marner would represent a similar eagerness to contend by Dubas.
Marner will be the same age Panarin was when he joined the Rangers, but comes with five more years of NHL experience and likely over 400 more points than Panarin when he signed in New York.
The Penguins are expected to have around $24 million in salary cap space this summer, which makes meeting Marner’s salary demands possible. They have 16 players on the active roster already signed for next season, including nine forwards, five defensemen, and two goalies. They’ll also have a handful of AHL prospects ready to push for roster spots next season (Owen Pickering, Ville Koivunen, etc.) while still being on their entry-level contracts.
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Mikko Rantanen is the only pending free agent, outside of Marner, with the pedigree to expedite the Penguins’ rebuild. But Rantanen doesn’t have the pre-existing relationship with Dubas and Crosby that Marner has.
This Penguins roster, as currently constructed, is far from being a contender. Adding Marner would go a long way to getting the team trending toward contention, especially before Crosby and Evgeni Malkin’s careers end.
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P3R, the organization behind the Pittsburgh Marathon, has opened registration for one of this fall’s largest local races.
Runners can now sign up for the 10 Miler and 10K, scheduled for Nov. 8. P3R expects a record-breaking 6,000 participants at this year’s events, according to spokeswoman Kelsey Emch. The events drew more than 5,500 participants last year.
The 10 Miler course begins at Station Square and travels through the North Shore, the Strip District and Downtown, while the 10K begins on the North Shore near PNC Park and follows the 10 Miler route the rest of the way.
Both races finish on Liberty Avenue Downtown – a common ending point for P3R events.
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P3R CEO Troy Schooley said in a release that the 10 Miler and 10K have become a “signature fall tradition” for Pittsburghers of all abilities.
“Whether participants are chasing a personal best, enjoying the event with friends or taking part in the walking division, this race delivers an unforgettable experience while showcasing our city at its very best,” he said.
The 10 Miler costs around $66 per person with processing fees, and the 10K costs around $49. Discounts are available through June 9.
Those interested in participating can register on P3R’s website. Registrants receive complimentary racing bibs, branded long-sleeve shirts, and medals.
Mike Darnay is a digital producer and photojournalist at CBS Pittsburgh. Mike has also written and produced content for Vox Media and the Mon Valley Independent.
He often covers overnight breaking news, the Pittsburgh Steelers and high school sports.
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Pittsburgh Regional Transit has started to install its ReadyFare vending machines as the agency prepares to roll out its new fare payment system.
PRT said it’s working to roll out its new ReadyFare system and has started to install the new machine at some of its light-rail stations.
The new machines recently were installed at PRT’s Gateway station in Downtown Pittsburgh.
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Pittsburgh Regional Transit has begun installing new ReadyFare machines at stations throughout the agency’s system.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
PRT said that as it prepares to roll out the new system, current ConnectCard holders will receive a card in the mail with instructions on how to request a ReadyFare card.
The new ReadyFare cards will be able to be purchased at the new machines for $1.
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PRT said that riders will be able to transfer any balances they have on a ConnectCard to the new ReadyFare cards using an online balance transfer form.
Acrisure Stadium is buzzing with excitement ahead of the back-to-back Morgan Wallen concerts. Except it’s not the fans generating all the excitement — it’s about 5 pounds of honeybees.
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The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela said it was contacted on Wednesday about a swarm of bees clustered on the stage scaffolding. The apiary put the swarm in a “nuc box” and took them home before moving the bees into full-size equipment.
Owner Al Fine estimates the swarm weighed about 4 to 5 pounds and consisted of 12,000 to 15,000 bees. All said, it took less than two hours to get the job done.
The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela removed about 12,000 to 15,000 bees from Acrisure Stadium.
(Photo: The Fine Family Apiary/Facebook)
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Why do bees swarm?
Swarming is how honeybees propagate, Fine explained. According to Penn State Extension, during swarming, the queen and about half the workers leave their home to establish a new nest. The bees will form a temporary cluster, hanging out while scouts search the surrounding area for a more permanent home in hollow spaces like tree cavities or, occasionally, the walls of a home.
Swarms can stick around for several hours or days until they’re ready to move, Penn State Extension says. Meanwhile, the colony left behind is temporarily without a leader until a new queen is established.
With the swarm at Acrisure Stadium removed, Morgan Wallen’s show is ready to go on. The country music megastar will bring his I’m The Problem Tour to Pittsburgh on June 5 and June 6, along with multiple acts like Brooks & Dunn and Ella Langley.
