It’s telling that Columbus beat our AHL team 5-1. Gaudreau,Laine and Voracek were not floating around like what we witnessed last night! It’s only preseason but we have seen the same movie over and over during the regular season the last five years. After each loss it is always “We know we are a good team, we just have to put it behind us.” Maybe they are not as good as they think they are! It’s still early, but if they kept the team together for this, Hextall has set this franchise back for many years!
- sjfpp

Its preseason man. This post is not warranted...yet. I will say however, they are probably not as good as last season and other teams in the east are better than last season ie Detroit. Probably going to have to scratch and crawl to get into playoffs and they may not make it.

The only thing I care about this preseason is that everyone stays healthy. I personally wouldnt have played any of our stars. The risk just isnt worth the reward.

It’s pretty telling that there is no expectations about this season. I listen to Pittsburgh radio all day on the job and there is zero buzz about the season starting. Still talking about Rutherburger More than the Pens.

Its preseason man. This post is not warranted...yet. I will say however, they are probably not as good as last season and other teams in the east are better than last season ie Detroit. Probably going to have to scratch and crawl to get into playoffs and they may not make it.
- MattStrat

Ehh we're in a better position starting this year than last year. The injuries alone that we started with were insane. Plus we're also starting this season with Rakell and I like the addition of Petry. It's only preseason.

It’s pretty telling that there is no expectations about this season. I listen to Pittsburgh radio all day on the job and there is zero buzz about the season starting. Still talking about Rutherburger More than the Pens.
- Grinder47

Not really, they never talk about the Pens during preseason.

Not really, they never talk about the Pens during preseason.
- 668710

Exactly. Starting QB talk for Steelers v bottom of roster battles and Jeff Carter is day to day for Pens. Which is going to drive ratings?

Not really, they never talk about the Pens during preseason.
- 668710

Not a ton but there’s usually a little discussion. Nothing at all except the score of the game this morning.

Ehh we're in a better position starting this year than last year. The injuries alone that we started with were insane. Plus we're also starting this season with Rakell and I like the addition of Petry. It's only preseason.
- 668710

I have my reasons for saying the things I do.....and I'll leave it at that...

Not really, they never talk about the Pens during preseason.
- 668710

Yeah, I mean Ive only been to the Burgh once in my life and wasn't listening to the sports media there at all...but its always been my impression/idea that hockey is a 3rd or 4th string sport there....like it is in most other USA cities that have teams from all the pro sport big leagues in them.

Yeah, I mean Ive only been to the Burgh once in my life and wasn't listening to the sports media there at all...but its always been my impression/idea that hockey is a 3rd or 4th string sport there....like it is in most other USA cities that have teams from all the pro sport big leagues in it.
- MattStrat

Hockey in Pittsburgh remains very popular. Our TV ratings for non-Penguin NHL games shows that. There is just 0.0% chance the Penguins are going to be the talk of the town during the NFL season. Especially when there is craziness in Steelers land right now.

Only Preseason but the same issues from last year are present.

Someone on that coaching staff needs to direct that PP. No more making it up as you go poop. Out man and shoot.

A few bright spots I saw before tuning out at the end of the 2nd.

Smith made a couple really nice plays at the line to keep play alive. He has a pretty good 1 timer.

Zucker looked good again, and besides the 4th line, was the only player with a pulse through 2.

What the F is this site's issue with deleting posts hahaha...like pulling teeth

EDIT: finally allowed me to do so...

Hockey in Pittsburgh remains very popular. Our TV ratings for non-Penguin NHL games shows that. There is just 0.0% chance the Penguins are going to be the talk of the town during the NFL season. Especially when there is craziness in Steelers land right now.
- SuperHenderson13

No doubt popular, the championships and Sid certainly help with that...but even still, as popular as NFL or MLB?

No doubt popular, the championships and Sid certainly help with that...but even still, as popular as NFL or MLB?
- MattStrat

As popular as the NFL? No. As I said, the Penguins will always be second fiddle from August through January. They could go undefeated and people would still be more interested in the Steelers. I think the vast majority of US cities are like that.

More popular than the MLB? Absolutely. The Pirates' owner has killed baseball in Pittsburgh. I think the MLB is a declining league due to their lack of competitiveness and long game times, but having a baseball team that sucks takes all of the life away from the game.

If I had to rank the sport hierarchy in Pittsburgh:

1. Steelers
2. Penguins
3. Pitt/Penn State
4. Pirates
5. Riverhounds

As popular as the NFL? No. As I said, the Penguins will always be second fiddle from August through January. They could go undefeated and people would still be more interested in the Steelers. I think the vast majority of US cities are like that.

More popular than the MLB? Absolutely. The Pirates' owner has killed baseball in Pittsburgh. I think the MLB is a declining league due to their lack of competitiveness and long game times, but having a baseball team that sucks takes all of the life away from the game.

If I had to rank the sport hierarchy in Pittsburgh:

1. Steelers
2. Penguins
3. Pitt/Penn State
4. Pirates
5. Riverhounds
- SuperHenderson13

Okay, I hear ya and thanks for the replies regarding such. I guess if the Pirates were winning they'd probably be more popular? Winning does wonders for a lot of teams and their fanbases.

Yeah, I mean Ive only been to the Burgh once in my life and wasn't listening to the sports media there at all...but its always been my impression/idea that hockey is a 3rd or 4th string sport there....like it is in most other USA cities that have teams from all the pro sport big leagues in them.
- MattStrat

Pittsburgh has led the league in ratings for 9 of the past 16 years. They led last year with a 5.4 rating even though they were down 30% from the previous year. StLouis and Buffalo were the only teams close to them. Many teams had 1-1.5 ratings with some even below 1 like the Avalanche and Rangers.

Pittsburgh has led the league in ratings for 9 of the past 16 years. They led last year with a 5.4 rating even though they were down 30% from the previous year. StLouis and Buffalo were the only teams close to them. Many teams had 1-1.5 ratings with some even below 1 like the Avalanche and Rangers.
- sjfpp

That's within in the NHL though, right?

We're just talking about overall popularity amongst all the big leagues.

I have my reasons for saying the things I do.....and I'll leave it at that...

- MattStrat

Pens suck 😝

Pens suck 😝
- 668710

hahahah

As popular as the NFL? No. As I said, the Penguins will always be second fiddle from August through January. They could go undefeated and people would still be more interested in the Steelers. I think the vast majority of US cities are like that.

More popular than the MLB? Absolutely. The Pirates' owner has killed baseball in Pittsburgh. I think the MLB is a declining league due to their lack of competitiveness and long game times, but having a baseball team that sucks takes all of the life away from the game.

If I had to rank the sport hierarchy in Pittsburgh:

1. Steelers
2. Penguins
3. Pitt/Penn State
4. Pirates
5. Riverhounds
- SuperHenderson13

Those ranks are spot on. Although most of us in here like the Pens more haha

Okay, I hear ya and thanks for the replies regarding such. I guess if the Pirates were winning they'd probably be more popular? Winning does wonders for a lot of teams and their fanbases.
- MattStrat

I'll be curious as the Pens really decline how popular they will remain in Pittsburgh. But for now they're easy #2 and it isn't close. Pirates even though regular season got almost no air time.

Steelers have a struggling offense, an OV everyone hates, and a 1st round pick QB from Pitt sitting on the sidelines. It's easy ratings.

Also hockey is more popular the younger you get and younger people aren't all tuning in to local sports talk radio.

I'll be curious as the Pens really decline how popular they will remain in Pittsburgh. But for now they're easy #2 and it isn't close. Pirates even though regular season got almost no air time.

Steelers have a struggling offense, an OV everyone hates, and a 1st round pick QB from Pitt sitting on the sidelines. It's easy ratings.
- Tojo.

Most sports franchises ebb and flow. Goes hand in hand with winning and rebuilding. Pens fans will accept a rebuild as long as they believe ownership is serious about winning. As far as we know, this ownership group likes/wants to win and spend $$$ when the time is right. We have the greatest example of an unserious owner (Pirates), so fans know the difference.

When they go rebuild route, they need to tear it down to the studs. The Steelers should have done that 2 years ago.

While watching the Caps and Flyers game I couldn’t help but wish we had signed Strome. He would’ve been an awesome offseason addition.

Looks like the Caps got a good one.

Those ranks are spot on. Although most of us in here like the Pens more haha
- 668710

The Steelers are loved because of ancient history They are not the beloved team now that they were. Arrogant coaches throughout their history and it is no different today