Pittsburg, PA
Penguins send Tristan Jarry back to Pittsburgh to work on breaking out of early-season funk
The Pittsburgh Penguins have sent struggling goaltender Tristan Jarry home so he could get some individual work in hopes of breaking out of an early season funk.
Coach Mike Sullivan made the announcement on Thursday. The Penguins are in the middle of a four-game road trip through Western Canada that continues on Friday in Edmonton.
Jarry is 1-1-0 in three games for the Penguins with a 5.47 goals against average and an .836 save percentage. The two-time All-Star hasn’t played since being pulled after allowing three goals on five shots in the first period of what became a 6-5 overtime victory over Buffalo on Oct. 16.
Sullivan said Jarry will spend time working with Jon Elkin, the club’s director of goaltending.
“It’s just part of the process we’ve put in place in here over the next little while to help Tristan get to his very best,” Sullivan said.
Jarry is in the second year of a five-year contract extension he signed in July 2023. While Jarry’s six shutouts tied for the NHL lead last season, he was effectively benched down the stretch last spring in favor of Alex Nedjelkovic and his goals against average (2.91) and save percentage (.903) marked career lows since he became an NHL regular during the 2019-20 season.
While the organization and Jarry expressed optimism that he was ready to hit the reset button, the opening weeks of the season have been troubling.
“The first couple of starts that he’s had haven’t been his best,” Sullivan said. “I’m probably stating the obvious when I say that. But it’s our responsibility to help players through some of the struggles they inevitably go through in this league, and Tristan is no different.”
Nedjelkovic and rookie Joel Blomqvist are splitting goaltending duties at the moment for Pittsburgh, which has lost three straight. The Penguins finish up the road swing in Vancouver on Saturday before returning to Pittsburgh for a three-game homestand next week.
It’s unclear when Jarry will return to game action.
“This is just a process that we’ve put in place,” Sullivan said. “We spoke to Tristan about it. He’s bought into it, and we’ll go from there.”
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
A woman has died, and three others were injured following a shooting at a bar in Vandergrift, Armstrong County, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Troopers said they were called shortly after 1:15 a.m. Sunday to Niki’s Quick Six on First Street in Vandergrift for reports of shots fired.
A local police officer who arrived first found one woman dead and multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds, according to a public information report provided by state police.
The woman who died was identified as Jessica Hilliard, 34, of Apollo. Hilliard was pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim, Rebecca Boston, 24, of McIntyre, was found at the scene and was last listed in critical condition.
Two other victims, Hector Saballos, 34, of Vandergrift, and Dominik Dellach, 25, of Vandergrift, left before troopers arrived. Police said both were later listed in stable condition.
The suspect has been identified as David Dunmire, 36, of Vandergrift. Police said he remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident.
An investigation determined that a physical altercation broke out in the parking lot outside the bar before Dunmire allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired multiple rounds, striking several people.
State police said they consulted with Armstrong County District Attorney Katie Charlton, who approved a criminal homicide charge.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Pittsburg, PA
A grieving mother’s undying effort to keep her son’s spirit alive in the Strip District
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Our staff weighs in with their thoughts on the pick.
Ryland Bickley: Here’s your TE3/FB for Mike McCarthy. Nowakowski probably would’ve been a “my guy” in this draft class if I had been able to watch him more. He’s an extremely high-effort run blocker with solid mobility who should be able to find a role on offense right away. Nowakowski is a bit undersized for a tight end and his testing is just OK, but as a fullback I like the pick. We can quibble a bit with taking a returner and fullback with the team’s latest two picks, but in the fifth round you can’t complain about good football players. Grade: B+
Mike Nicastro: Nowakowski is a perfect replacement for Connor Heyward because of his versatility. He’ll play tight end, fullback, and can contribute on special teams. He played a pivotal role on Indiana’s National Championship run – the guy just feels like a winner. Although it still feels like a pick based more on need opposed to value, I like this one much better than Wetjen. Grade: B+
Alex Hanczar: Pittsburgh adds yet another big school player in the form of 2026 National Champion Riley Nowakowski. The departures of Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward led many to believe the Steelers would add depth at the position and here it is. Aside from solely playing TE, Nowakowksi will likely fill the Heyward role at the FB position. At 6-foot-two 250 pounds, I would not be surprised to see the former Hoosier lineup under center for the ‘tush push’ for the black and gold. Grade: B
Joey Bray: Welcome back Connor Heyward. In all seriousness, Riley Nowakowski is an interesting pick for the Steelers. They needed to take another tight end, but Nowakowski is more of a fullback type. He played a blocking role for Indiana last year when he did line up a tight end, although he’s 32 catches last season were more than he had in his previous four collegiate seasons combined. Nowakowski isn’t particularly fast or dynamic and doesn’t have the size to be a legit receiving threat. He is a good football player and it makes sense that Mike McCarthy would take a fullback, but taking a return man and fullback back-to-back in the mid rounds is an curious use of resources. Grade: C-
Ryan Parish: As harsh as I was on using a 4th rounder on a kick returner-only player, I’m to the moon for this selection. I highlighted Nowakowski in my Tight End draft gems list as a perfect fit for the John Kuhn/Hunter Luepke FB role in Mike McCarthy’s offense. Nowakowski is short for a tight end but perfect for a blocker for a power run scheme. He’s also gotta decent hands and tackle-breaking ability for underneath routes that should make Aaron Rodgers happy. This was a meat and potatoes pick, and yet another sign that the Steelers are veering into a gap/power running scheme. Phenomenal fit. Grade: A++
Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers were always going to take a tight end, being that they released Jonnu Smith and didn’t bring back Connor Heyward. Nowakowski will play that Heyward role. Special teams and No. 3 tight end/fullback. Not great. Not abysmal. Fine. Grade: C
-
Atlanta, GA4 minutes agoAtlanta church’s “Environmental Justice Sunday” puts spotlight on health gaps in communities of color
-
Minneapolis, MN10 minutes agoWoman Charged in Alleged Lake Street Carjacking of Migrant Workers in Minneapolis
-
Indianapolis, IN16 minutes agoHow to join information sessions on data center regulations in Indianapolis
-
Pittsburg, PA22 minutes agoWoman killed, 3 others injured in Armstrong County bar shooting; suspect in custody
-
Augusta, GA28 minutes agoMissing man’s truck found in Edgefield County
-
Washington, D.C34 minutes agoWashington in shock after White House press dinner shooting: ‘an angry, polarized nation’
-
Cleveland, OH40 minutes agoMLB Best Bets Today: Top Expert Picks and Predictions for Sunday 4/26/26
-
Austin, TX46 minutes agoTexas Governor Threatens Austin, Dallas and Houston’s World Cup Funding Over ICE Fight