First Call: Kenny Pickett adds bulk; Steelers consider veteran pass rusher; salary projections for Penguins’ free agents
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Wednesday’s “First Call” looks at a veteran pass rusher the Pittsburgh Steelers may attempt to sign. Quarterback Kenny Pickett describes his efforts to bulk up.
We’ve got projected salaries for a few free agent Penguins and gambling odds on the next Pens general manager.
Plus, Brian Burke has a new old job.
Pickett’s pounds
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett ended last year at 213 pounds. He didn’t like that and wanted to add some weight.
Pickett said Tuesday that he reported to organized team activities at 226 pounds but insists that he hasn’t lost any mobility.
“Coming from college, it’s only a 12-game season,” Pickett said. “Here, it’s 17 plus the preseason. You want to make a long run until February. So, it’s a long season. You take a lot of shots. I just want to have some more protection.”
Pickett suffered two concussions a year ago.
“The hits up here are just a little bit different, and they’re over a longer period of time,” Pickett said. “Being able to withstand hits, and, if need be, deliver some hits if I have to score, I just think I kept my speed and added a little bit of weight.”
Pickett averaged 4.3 yards per carry (15th in the NFL among quarterbacks) on 55 attempts last year. He was sacked 27 times.
Depth is ‘Golden’
The Steelers are allegedly making a bid for a veteran outside linebacker. It’s former Arizona Cardinal and New York Giant Markus Golden.
Jordan Schultz of “The Score” reported that Golden was in town for a visit Tuesday.
Markus Golden is visiting the #Steelers today, sources tell @theScore.
The veteran pass rusher has recorded three seasons with at least 10 sacks. He also racked up 4 FF during the 2021 season with the #AZCardinals.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 23, 2023
However, NFL reporter Josina Anderson says the visit is actually taking place Wednesday.
Either way, Golden fits the profile of the veteran backup pass rusher the Steelers need to spell T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
A 2015 second-round pick out of Missouri, Golden spent seven of his nine NFL seasons in Arizona, with the other two in New York. He has recorded 47 sacks and 130 QB hits in his career.
At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Golden has three seasons (2016, ‘19, ‘21) under his belt of 10 or more sacks. He also has 62 tackles for loss in his career. The 32-year-old had 2.5 sacks and totaled 20 quarterback hits last year.
Projected price
Daily Faceoff published a list of what it deems to be the top 50 free agents and their predicted salaries. Two Penguins are on it: goalie Tristan Jarry and winger Jason Zucker.
Using the projection model of AFP Analytics, Jarry should expect a four-year salary at $4.8 million per year. He’s rated 11th on Daily Faceoff’s board.
Zucker is 32nd. His expected deal is $5.4 million per year over five seasons. Given that Zucker’s cap hit last year was $5.5 million and Jarry’s was $3.5 million, those numbers seem low to me.
But the Daily Faceoff says AFP’s projections last year “had a mean absolute error (MAE) of $348,000 on AAVs and an MAE of just 0.61 years on term of the contract.” So maybe they are onto something.
Some other projections of note for former Penguins: Jordan Staal (12th, 2 x $3.2m), Evan Rodrigues (39th, 3 x $3.7m), Ian Cole (41st, 2 x $2.75m), Nick Bjugstad (44th, 2 x $2.3m) and Teddy Blueger (49th, 2 x $1.1m)
More sports
• Steelers’ Kenny Pickett shows growth on, off field as OTAs begin
• Kenny Pickett content he has a fan in Steelers QB predecessor Ben Roethlisberger
• Mark Madden: A user’s guide for Penguins GM candidates
New gig
Brian Burke is going back to what he was doing before he was hired by the Penguins.
Now released from his duties as Pens president of hockey operations, Burke is going back to being a television analyst. Via The Hockey News, Burke will become part of NHL Network’s on-camera analysis for the rest of the playoffs.
Former Anaheim Ducks coach Dallas Eakins will join their panel as well. Prior to his arrival in Pittsburgh, Burke had been with SportsNet in Canada in an analyst role.
The Hockey News also reports that — believe it or not — Ron Hextall’s name has come up as a possibility to fill the general manager’s vacancy in Toronto.
I’m sure that will go perfectly.
Best bet for GM?
Yes, you can bet on anything sports related, including who will be the next general manager of the Penguins.
Via betpennsylvania.com, former Toronto GM Kyle Dubas is the favorite to win the job at +300 ($100 to win $300). Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Eric Tulsky and Tampa Bay assistant GM Mathieu Darche are next at +450.
However, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday night that Tulsky has joined Devils assistant GM (and former Pens executive) Dan MacKinnon as candidates that have been interviewed twice and are now out of the running.
Former Pens assistant and current Carolina assistant Jason Botterill comes in at +550.
No numbers were posted on Steve Greeley. He’s the director of hockey strategy/scouting and development in Dallas. Like Mike Sullivan, he’s also a Boston University alum. He was also an assistant general manager for the Buffalo Sabres from 2017-22.