First Call: A team that may be in the lead for Jake Guentzel; Mitch Trubisky signs elsewhere; ex-Pitt Panther released

We begin Thursday’s “First Call” the same way we ended Wednesday night. That’s waiting for the Penguins to trade Jake Guentzel. At least there is an update on that front.

We get into some recent struggles for Sidney Crosby. Mitch Trubisky has a new home. A former Pitt Panther is looking for a new team as NFL free agency approaches.

And a local women’s basketball star is getting some postseason recognition.

Waiting on Jake

Like much of the rest of the hockey world, Penguins fans are waiting to find out what’s happening with Jake Guentzel. There had been a report that a trade would be in place with a team for his services by Wednesday night. That didn’t happen.

The deadline isn’t until Friday. But certainly, general manager Kyle Dubas would like that first domino to fall as soon as possible so he can start making other moves knowing what assets would be coming in return for Guentzel.

In the meantime, here’s what Frank Seravalli at The Daily Faceoff is saying about potential candidates to land the Pens star winger.

Alec Martinez is the player mentioned by Seravalli. The 36-year-old defenseman is dealing with a lower-body injury and has been placed on injured reserve. The Golden Knights also acquired defenseman Noah Hanifin from Calgary on Wednesday.

Familiar territory

As we mentioned in a “First Call” posted on Valentine’s Day, the option of Mitch Trubisky going back to Buffalo always seemed like a sound possibility.

Well, now it has happened.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer advanced that idea almost a month ago. Now the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo says it’s coming to fruition. The former Steelers quarterback will return to the city where he played prior to joining the Steelers in advance of the 2022 season.

Of course, Trubisky didn’t play much in Orchard Park. In fact, he threw just six passes all year while backing up Josh Allen in 2021.

But the Bills apparently want him back in that capacity now. According to ESPN.com, with Allen’s current backup (Kyle Allen) set to hit free agency, it’s likely Trubisky will slide right back into his role as No. 2 on the depth chart in Western New York.

In two years as a Steeler, Trubisky posted just a 77.6 passer rating and a 2-5 record as a starter. He had only eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions along the way and averaged 6.6 yards per attempt.

According to ESPN, the Bills also spent Wednesday releasing the likes of cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Jordan Poyer, center Mitch Morse, wide receiver Deonte Harty and special teams player Siran Neal.

The Steelers sure could use a corner, safety, center and receiver. So perhaps a few phone calls should be made by Omar Khan.

Welcome back?

Speaking of defensive backs to watch on the open market, the Philadelphia Eagles cut Avonte Maddox.

The former Pitt cornerback is now 27 years old. He started 38 games in six years with the Eagles, totaling four interceptions, three sacks, a fumble recovery and 25 tackles.

Maddox has been hampered by toe, pec and hamstring injuries over the last two years. In fact, he played in just 13 of 34 games since the start of 2022. But the Steelers sure could use some depth in the secondary, and Maddox is versatile enough to move around at various cornerback spots.

He might be worth a look. If former Eagles executive Andy Weidl had a high opinion of him in Philly, that could go a long way. Levi Wallace, Chandon Sullivan and James Pierre are all free agents at corner for the Steelers heading into free agency next week.

There is some belief, though, that Maddox could return to Philly under a new deal.

Related

• For the Penguins, being out of a playoff position isn’t strange, ‘it’s awful’• MLB Pipeline ranks Paul Skenes the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect; 3B Jack Brannigan makes top 10• Pitt football players look to restore program’s 4 pillars this season

Sid slump

For as bad as the Penguins have been this year, Sidney Crosby has been consistently excellent. He has 32 goals and 31 assists on the season.

But even the Pens captain is going through a bit of a grind right now. He was held without a point for a second straight game during the team’s 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He hasn’t gone three games without a point all year.

Crosby also has only one goal in his last eight games. That dates back to Feb. 20 during a 5-4 loss to the Islanders. He’s a minus-six during that stretch as well. Crosby has been goalless in his last five games. That’s his longest such stretch of the season.

Maybe seeing old rival Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on the other side of the ice Thursday night will be enough to snap Crosby back into form. Ovechkin is scuffling a bit lately, too, with just one goal in his last six contests. He has 17 on the season to go along with 28 assists. The future Hall of Famer missed practice Tuesday with what was believed to be a maintenance day.

Washington has 65 points, good for fifth in the Metropolitan Division. That’s one slot and one point better than the Penguins in the standings.

Meg making waves

Duquesne guard Megan McConnell is getting some recognition for her standout season.

The Chartiers Valley product was named to the Atlantic 10’s All-Conference team, the All-Defensive team and the All-Academic team.

The junior guard averaged 13.3 points per game, 13th in the A-10. She was also third in the conference in rebounding (8.6 per game), third in assists (4.6 per game) and sixth in steals at 1.9 per game.

McConnell ­also currently ranks 27th in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.35). On the academic side, she put together a 3.8 GPA.

Dan Burt’s Dukes play UMass at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in their first game of the A-10 tournament.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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