July 18, 2021 7:35 am
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Filip Hallander and a 2023 seventh-round draft pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Jared McCann. Hallander, 21, is signed through the 2022-23 season and his contract carries an average annual value of $764,167 at the NHL level. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward spent the 2020-21 season with Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League, recording 13 goals, 11 assists and 24 points in 51 games. Hallander’s 13 goals were tied for third-most on the team. Hallander has played parts of the last five seasons in the SHL and Allsvenskan in Sweden, split between Lulea HF and Timra IK. In 123 career SHL games, Hallander has recorded 25 goals, 34 assists and 59 points. The forward has tallied nine goals, 11 assists and 20 points in 48 career Allsvenskan games. Hallander was originally drafted by the Penguins in the second round (58th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft before being traded to Toronto on August 25, 2020 as part of the seven-piece deal that saw Pittsburgh acquire Kasperi Kapanen.
July 17, 2021 4:28 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — In their first game out of the All-Star break, things got heated between the Mets and the Pirates at PNC Park on Friday night. With a runner on third and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Pirates first baseman John Nogowski lined out to Mets first baseman Pete Alonso to end the frame. Mets starter Marcus Stroman hopped off the mound fired up, shouting back to his dugout. But Nogowski took exception and pointed back at Stroman, who crossed by the first baseman on the way to the visiting dugout, as Nogowski shouted in his direction. Stroman responded, Nogowski walked toward him while continuing to voice his disapproval and the benches quickly emptied and joined together on the third-base side of the mound. The bullpens also emptied, but by the time those players arrived, Nogowski had begun to walk back to the dugout and Stroman appeared to be in some form of discomfort before sprinting back to the dugout. The tension dissipated on the field, and the umpires held a conference with managers Derek Shelton and Luis Rojas. The Pirates won 4-1.
July 17, 2021 4:41 am
PITTSBURGH (AP/WPXI) – Two NFL teams remain under 50% vaccinated less than two weeks from the start of training camp, a person familiar with the vaccination rates told The Associated Press. As for Friday, Washington and Indianapolis had the two lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates among the 32 teams in the league, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t released the numbers, which are changing daily. Pittsburgh, Miami, Carolina and Denver have the highest vaccination rates and are among 10 teams that have achieved at least 85%. About 73% of players have been vaccinated. Teams on the lower end of the vaccination table face potential competitive disadvantages.
July 17, 2021 4:29 am
SEATTLE (AP) – Former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers star Richard Sherman says he’s “deeply remorseful” following his arrest in suburban Seattle this week. He tweeted a statement Friday before pleading not guilty to drunken driving, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and other charges. Police said he drunkenly crashed his SUV in a construction zone, tried to break in to his in-laws’ home and fought with police as they detained him early Wednesday. Sherman said he’s been dealing with personal challenges for months but that’s no excuse for how he acted. Sherman was released from jail Thursday.
July 16, 2021 2:58 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Thursday’s only Major League Baseball game had to be postponed after three New York Yankees pitchers tested positive for COVID-19. Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Wandy Peralta were the players who tested positive, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he expects three other players to test positive. The Yankees were supposed to begin a four-game series with the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox Thursday, but the COVID-19 cases could postpone Friday’s game as well.
July 16, 2021 2:56 am
CHICAGO (AP) – The Atlanta Braves have acquired Joc Pederson in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, bolstering their outfield after losing Ronald Acuna Jr. to a season-ending knee injury. Atlanta sent minor league first baseman Bryce Ball to Chicago for Pederson, who is batting .230 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs in 73 games. The 29-year-old Pederson spent his first seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before signing with the Cubs in free agency in February. The Braves are looking to return to the playoffs, but their pursuit of a fourth straight NL East title took a hit when Acuna tore the ACL in his right knee during Saturday’s 5-4 victory over Miami.
July 16, 2021 2:57 am
SEATTLE (AP) – A Seattle judge has ordered former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers star Richard Sherman released without bail following his arrest on suspicion of trying to break in to his in-laws’ home. The judge found probable cause that Sherman committed criminal trespassing, driving under the influence and two other offenses. He declined to set $10,000 bail as prosecutors requested. The judge called Sherman a “pillar of the community” and noted that it was presumed he would be released because this was his first arrest. Police said he crashed his car and tried to break in to his in-laws’ home Wednesday.
July 15, 2021 3:40 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Teddy Blueger is sticking with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team signed the 26-year-old forward to a two-year contract with an average salary of $2.2 million. Blueger, who worked on Pittsburgh’s fourth line, tied a career-high with 22 points -seven goals and 15 assists -in 43 games for the Metropolitan Division champions.
July 15, 2021 3:43 am
MILWAUKEE (AP) – The Milwaukee Bucks have tied the NBA Finals at two games apiece through a lot of help from Khris Middleton. The Bucks trailed by nine in the fourth quarter before Middleton carried them to a 109-103 win over the Phoenix Suns. He drained the go-ahead basket while scoring 10 straight Milwaukee points before finishing with 40. Phoenix led by two with 2 1/2 minutes left before Middleton made the next two baskets to give Milwaukee a 101-99 edge with 1:28 to play. Giannis Antetokounmpo followed a pair of 40-point performances with 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and one huge block on Deandre Ayton with just over a minute remaining. The only thing stopping Suns guard Devin Booker was foul trouble. He poured in 20 of his game-high 42 points in the third period but had to sit out 3 1/2 straight minutes after picking up his fifth foul early in the fourth. Chris Paul shot just 5-for-13 and finished with 10 points and five turnovers, including one big miscue in the final minute. Jae Crowder was the only other Suns player with more than 10 points, finishing with 15 and eight boards. Game 5 is Saturday in Phoenix, where the Suns took the first two games of the series.
July 15, 2021 3:46 am
TOKYO (AP) – Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics will put their medals around their own necks to protect against spreading the coronavirus. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach says it’s a “very significant change” to traditional medal ceremonies. Medals will be placed on a tray by a person wearing disinfected gloves and presented to the athletes, who will take them from the tray and place them around their necks. The tray will be presented to and athletes will take their medals from the tray. Medalists and ceremony officials will have to wear masks.
