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Penguins Report Card: Good Performances, But Wrong Strategy?
DETROIT — Sometimes, you lose.
Patrick Kane did what Patrick Kane does and whistled a wrist shot past Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic for the first Detroit power-play goal (and second goal overall). Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic said he picked the wrong side of net-front traffic, and J.T. Compher poked a rebound past Nedeljkovic for the second Detroit power-play goal (and third goal overall), which was the game-winner late in the third period.
It was one of those hockey games in which both teams could claim they deserved to win. Except for the opening minutes, the Penguins were as good if not better than Detroit but were plagued by a bit of bad luck and one exceptional save by Detroit defenseman Mortiz Seider.
Later in the second period, Detroit goalie Alex Lyon slid away from the net, leaving a yawning cage for Anthony Beauvillier, whose turning wrist shot from about 10 feet should have been the tying goal. However, Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider slid into the crease, his leg extended for a textbook pad save.
It was that type of game for the Penguins. They were so close, so many times, including Bryan Rust, who swooped past his hometown defensemen and Lyon for easy wraparound stuff-ins. However, each one hit the post or legs in front and avoided bouncing across the line.
The other big positive for the Penguins was Drew O’Connor, who was his very best version. O’Connor fought for every puck and scored two goals–his first tallies since Oct. 18.
He wasn’t in a smiling mood after the game, but he admitted the pressure was finally off and that he could build on the game.
“You try to ignore it. Hockey is such a game of confidence. You know, hopefully, I can build off of this,” O’Connor told PHN.
There’s no reason to belabor the loss on a holiday night. The Penguins locker room was sour, but not in the depressed way that dominated their October and November losses. No, the Penguins were an angry sort of sour.
Penguins Xs and Os
“Barring the first ten minutes, I thought we played really hard. I thought it was a really good game–It was one of the faster-paced games that we played in the last little while,” Sullivan said.
“I thought we competed hard. Our intentions were in the right place. You know, give Detroit credit. They defended hard tonight, and they played a good game, too. I mean, the difference in the game is a power-play goal, but we also had some opportunities.”
We’ll debate whether a speedy game against Detroit is in the Penguins’ best interest. Note the low shot total for both teams—each had 25. The Penguins got back into the defensive zone and stayed between the puck and the net.
For my taste, the Penguins enjoyed the fast game too much. Their forecheck got a bit sloppy, and the team wasn’t as structured, which allowed Detroit too many zone entries with speed.
Sullivan didn’t seem to have a problem with it, but I would have expected more neutral zone traffic—make the young Red Wings work for the neutral zone and see what mistakes happen.
Also, Detroit got a cherry-picking goal–the worst cherry-pick I’ve seen in a long time. Jonatan Berggren hid in the neutral zone in front of the bench, then took off when Detroit was able to get possession. No one saw him lurking in the neutral zone after the line change.
Looking over the Red Wings goal, that’s some hard-core cherry picking.
Anthony Beauvillier is driving to the net but Berggren didn’t budge from hiding at the bench.
When Holl cut off Beauvillier, the breakaway was on. pic.twitter.com/OCMCPV6tAz— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) January 1, 2025
Detroit should have made the coaching move over the summer when general manager Steve Yzerman officially put Derek Lalonde on the hot seat. In my opinion, they’d be in a playoff spot if they had.
Penguins Report Card
Team: B
They didn’t play poorly, they didn’t have a ton of sloppy mistakes, and they got after it. It wasn’t their night. Any of a dozen pucks could have gone in for them in those net-front scrums.
RUST
Drew O’Connor: A+
Atta boy.
O’Connor admitted to PHN that it’s been a little tough to keep his head up, but hockey is a game of confidence. He tried to ignore the slump as best he could. It was clear in the last few games that he added a bit of angry aggression to his game—when he does that, he’s a pretty darned good player, but it’s not his natural state.
Penguins Defense: C+
They’re a makeshift unit, and it would be unfair to criticize them harshly. P.O Joseph is playing on his offside (where he doesn’t have much experience) with Marcus Pettersson on the left. Pettersson wasn’t at his best Tuesday after a few weeks off due to a lower-body injury. Erik Karlsson had some shaky moments with the puck–enjoying that high-paced game. Ryan Graves also had a couple of adventures of his own making.
Alex Nedeljkovic: B+
He made plenty of timely saves. Here’s an interesting note on Patrick Kane’s power-play goal (Detroit’s second). Nedeljkovic said the puck flipped onto its side just before Kane shot it–Nedeljkovic couldn’t read the puck, and it knuckled in a different direction past him.
A flat puck vs. a knuckle puck that went against the Penguins. The smallest things can make the biggest difference.
Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home today against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to grab a win against the Tampa Bay Rays.
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It’s only fitting that one of the most eventful offseasons in Pittsburgh Steelers history will be capped by an equally unpredictable NFL draft. Owning 12 picks, including five in the top 100 for the first time since 1999, GM Omar Khan has a chance to radically change the franchise’s trajectory in front of a home crowd in Pittsburgh.
Last time they held five picks in the top 100, the Steelers found a couple very good long-term starters like OLB Joey Porter Sr. and DE Aaron Smith. But they also struck out on WR Troy Edwards, DB Scott Shields, and OT Kris Farris.
At a pivotal, transitional phase in franchise history, the Steelers can’t afford to find just two good starters. That may be a challenge in a draft lacking top-end talent that falls off a cliff in the later rounds. If they are out of range of coveted players, they can’t be timid in the trade market.
I posed the question on this week’s episode of The Depot Dive: Over or under 2.5 trades for the Steelers? I wanted to take the over, but it’s hard to make that work without a trade down. I settled on two.
All that said, here’s my best attempt at predicting what the Steelers will do in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round One (12th Overall) – Spencer Fano/OL/Utah – 6054, 311 pounds
Trade: Steelers send Patrick Queen + Pick No. 21 + Pick No. 121 + Pick No. 224. Cowboys send Pick No. 12 + 2027 sixth-round pick.
If they want Vega Ioane or Fano, I think it will require a move up. But I don’t think the Steelers will want to sacrifice a lot of picks to accomplish that. Queen is an easy target with the Cowboys having reported interest in trading for him during free agency.
Using our Dave Bryan’s trade idea as a loose template, I like the Steelers to jump up in the first round to solidify the trenches once again. This is the best move for the current—which we know the Steelers place a heavy emphasis on—and the future as they lock in a potentially elite offensive line for the next decade.
It’s a bonus that Fano can play guard now — and potentially tackle later if Broderick Jones or Dylan Cook don’t work out. Fano is Dane Brugler’s top OL in the class. If he makes it to 12, I like the value a lot.
Others Considered: OG Vega Ioane, WR Makai Lemon, TE Kenyon Sadiq
Spencer Fano Scouting Report
Round Two (53rd Overall) – Jacob Rodriguez/ILB/Texas Tech – 6013, 231 pounds
Trading Queen creates a need that outweighs others (like wide receiver). Maybe Rodriguez doesn’t fall this far, but he should be the Steelers’ top target if he does.
As a former quarterback, Rodriguez has a unique football IQ that could be a force multiplier for the entire Steelers defense–something Patrick Queen never really turned into. I witnessed it firsthand at the Senior Bowl. He got everybody aligned correctly pre-snap in an environment where all had to learn a new defense in just a few days.
He’s also the most decorated defensive playmaker coming out of college in decades, even more than Payton Wilson’s impressive list of accolades from a couple years ago. This would be a home-run pick.
Others Considered: WR Denzel Boston, ILB CJ Allen, S Treydan Stukes
Jacob Rodriguez Scouting Report
Round Two (59th Overall) – Germie Bernard/WR/Alabama – 6012, 206 pounds
Trade: Steelers send No. 76 + No. 99. Texans send No. 59.
Another move up to make sure the Steelers get a receiver they like at the end of the second round. Bernard was a pre-draft visitor and has the size and athletic profile that Mike McCarthy likes at the position. He does everything well, and played a healthy mix of slot and outside receiver to fit in the rotation with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
Others Considered: WR Zachariah Branch, WR Chris Bell, ILB Jake Golday
Germie Bernard Scouting Report
Round Three (85th Overall) – Kamari Ramsey/S/USC – 6002, 202 pounds
Not every selection will be a pre-draft visitor, and Ramsey fits the description of the type of defensive back the Steelers have looked at. He has played a strong mix of safety and nickel and is capable of being a chess piece in Patrick Graham’s defense. Given the Steelers’ crowded secondary, he could focus on backing up Jalen Ramsey at free safety in the beginning.
Others Considered: S Jalen Kilgore, OG Keylan Rutledge, QB Drew Allar
Kamari Ramsey Scouting Report
Round Four (135th Overall) – Carson Beck/QB/Miami (FL) – 6046, 233 pounds
The Steelers have spent too much time scouting quarterbacks not to take one. And Beck has several traits they are looking for, including his track record as a winner and his size at nearly 6-5. Their view of Mike McCarthy as a QB whisperer suggests they will give him as many projects as possible until one sticks.
Others Considered: CB Tacario Davis, QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR Ja’Kobi Lane
Carson Beck Scouting Report
Round Five (161st Overall) – Ephesians Prysock/CB/Washington – 6033, 196 pounds
Prysock has all the traits to turn into an impact starter, and the Steelers have gravitated toward th long, rangy athletes at cornerback. He wouldn’t need to see the field right away with a crowded stable of defensive backs, but he has plenty of long-term upside.
Others Considered: WR/KR Kendrick Law, WR Josh Cameron, S Michael Taaffe
Ephesians Prysock Scouting Report
Round Six (216th Overall) – Kaden Wetjen/WR-KR/Iowa – 5090, 193 pounds
Calvin Austin III and Kenneth Gainwell both departed in the offseason, which means the Steelers need a kick and punt returner. Wetjen is the top return specialist in the draft with six total return touchdowns in college.
Others Considered: OT Aamil Wagner, CB Thaddeus Dixon, WR Caleb Douglas
Kaden Wetjen Scouting Report
Round Seven (230th Overall) – Josh Cuevas/TE/Alabama – 6033, 245 pounds
Cuevas is versatile enough to be a rotational backup tight end, and to play H-back or fullback in certain personnel packages. He’s a committed and aggressive blocker and has enough receiving skills to be a dependable option on passing downs, either running routes or blocking.
Others Considered: DL David Gusta, RB Jaydn Ott, TE Matthew Hibner
Josh Cuevas Scouting Report
Round Seven (237th Overall) – Brett Thorson/P/Georgia – 6012, 237 pounds
The Steelers brought back Cameron Johnston, but they didn’t even keep him over Corliss Waitman after last year’s training camp competition. Johnston is 34 years old and has dealt with injuries in each of the last two seasons. Thorson has a relationship with Johnston as a fellow Aussie, so it could be a decent pairing for another training camp competition this year.
Others Considered: WR CJ Daniels, QB Sawyer Robertson, TE John Michael Gyllenborg
Brett Thorson Scouting Report
A United flight traveling from Chicago to New York City diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport on Saturday afternoon for what was described as a “reported threat.”
According to information provided by the Allegheny County Airport Authority and FBI Pittsburgh, United Flight 2092 diverted to Pittsburgh and landed safely.
The passengers have deplaned safely, and no injuries have been reported.
“The plane was diverted and landed at Pittsburgh International Airport,” FBI Pittsburgh said in a statement provided to KDKA-TV. “All passengers and crew safely evacuated the aircraft. FBI Special Agent Bomb Techs and Special Agents are on the ground coordinating with local authorities.”
The airport authority has said that law enforcement is on the scene and investigating.
This is a developing story, and will be updated.
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