Team USA Survives Denmark Scare, Penguins Prospects Struggle, and a Look at Pittsburgh’s Rebuild
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Team USA got the win over Denmark on Saturday, but let’s be real - they made it way harder than it needed to be. This one had all the makings of a collapse until Brady Tkachuk stepped in and simply refused to let it happen.
His late-game heroics helped the Americans hang on, but the game was a stark reminder that this team has some cracks that need sealing before the medal rounds. The Round Robin stage is nearly wrapped, and if Team USA wants to make a serious push, they’ll need more than just gutsy performances from Tkachuk.
Meanwhile, in Wilkes-Barre, the Penguins’ AHL affiliate had a night to forget. The Baby Pens were shut out 5-0 by Syracuse, and honestly, the score could’ve been worse.
The team looked flat from the opening puck drop - and head coach Kirk MacDonald didn’t mince words afterward, saying his group “looked like we were still in Miami.” (Yes, several players had taken a team trip there during the All-Star break.)
Despite the lopsided loss, the game did offer a valuable - if uncomfortable - window into the current state of the Penguins’ rebuild. With the NHL club in a transitional phase, all eyes are on the pipeline. And based on Saturday night, it’s clear there’s still a long road ahead.
Penguins’ “Odd Couple” Finding Their Groove
Back with the big club, there’s a surprising duo making some noise: Ben Kindel and Anthony Mantha. It’s a pairing that didn’t exactly jump off the page when the season began, but they’ve found chemistry and are quietly becoming a key part of Pittsburgh’s offensive push.
Kindel, once considered a bit of a reach in the draft, has shown flashes of why the Penguins took a chance on him. Mantha, on the other hand, is in the midst of a bit of a bounce-back campaign - a rebound that’s come at just the right time.
Together, they’ve clicked in a way that’s caught the attention of both their teammates and the coaching staff. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
And with the Penguins fighting to stay relevant in the playoff picture, every bit of production matters.
Prospect Watch: Pickering, Howe, and the Bigger Picture
We also had a chance to catch up with a couple of notable Penguins prospects - Owen Pickering and Tanner Howe. The conversations were insightful, even if the on-ice product didn’t quite match the promise.
Pickering, a lanky defenseman with strong skating ability, continues to show glimpses of what he could become. The tools are there, but like many young blueliners, he’s still learning how to put it all together consistently.
Howe, meanwhile, brings a different flavor. More of a grinder with a motor that doesn’t quit, he’s the type of player who could carve out a role through sheer will and work ethic. But on Saturday, neither player stood out in a game that was dominated by Syracuse from start to finish.
Still, these are the moments that matter in a rebuild. Not every step forward is pretty. And if you’re the Penguins’ front office, you’re watching closely - not just for stats, but for signs of growth, resilience, and long-term potential.
Around the League: Olympic Drama and Trade Rumblings
Over in Olympic play, Team USA’s near-collapse wasn’t the only headline. Jeremy Swayman gave up a goal from center ice - yes, center ice - and Denmark nearly clawed all the way back in the third period.
The Americans held on, but it was far from a confidence-booster. If this team doesn’t medal, head coach Mike Sullivan could be facing the kind of scrutiny that derailed Dan Bylsma’s trajectory after the 2014 Games.
Slovakia, meanwhile, is turning heads as the tournament’s Cinderella. They lost on Saturday, but the vibes were anything but down. Juraj Slafkovsky called it “the best loss of his life,” and the Slovaks have certainly made things more complicated for Canada, who now face a trickier path to the podium.
Back home, the NHL trade market is starting to simmer. Kevin Fiala’s Olympic injury is reportedly season-ending, and that’s a big blow for the LA Kings as they try to stay in the playoff hunt. With Fiala out, expect the Kings to be aggressive - and early - on the trade front.
As for other trade chatter, there’s talk that the Canucks might be willing to retain half of Evander Kane’s salary if they can move him for a third-round pick. Not exactly a blockbuster, but it’s the kind of deal that could grease the wheels for bigger moves ahead.
Steelers and Pirates Notes
On the NFL side, the annual anonymous players’ poll about team facilities and organizations has been officially shut down. The report had been critical of the Steelers in recent years, but with the league stepping in and citing it as a CBA violation, that storyline is now off the table - at least for now.
And for baseball fans, Spring Training is right around the corner. The Pirates are gearing up, and early roster predictions are starting to roll in. It’s a season of cautious optimism in Pittsburgh - but as always, the proof will be in the results once the games begin.
From Olympic drama to the grind of a rebuild in Wilkes-Barre, it’s a busy stretch for Pittsburgh sports - with plenty of storylines still unfolding.