Mark Madden's Hot Take: NHL sabotages its own playoffs

The Stanley Cup playoffs are underway. Hockey’s showcase, or so the NHL thinks. Early TV ratings showed that viewership is down 12%. That’s no surprise. Hockey is a winter sport. It’s ... Read More

Mark Madden: Matt Dumba trade makes sense for Penguins and is probably just the start

It’s time for refreshing sports notes at the speed of sound! Climb on my back and we’ll go for a ride in the sky! • The Penguins’ acquisition of right-handed defenseman Matt Dumba indicates that Erik ... Read More

Mark Madden's Hot Take: Despite being in postseason chase, Penguins ...

If the Pittsburgh Penguins stay in the playoff picture as the NHL season slogs into January — that’s a big “if,” but never bet against Sidney Crosby — a few things must happen. Read More

Mark Madden: 4 Nations Face-Off generated buzz that NHL cannot maintain

The afterglow of witnessing such hotly contested action duly noted, the 4 Nations Face-Off (and international hockey in general) is oddly counterproductive to the NHL. The league sabotages its own ... Read More

Mark Madden's Hot Take: Forget being fair, NHL's outdoor games need ...

The NHL’s annual Winter Classic drew 16% less TV viewers than last year’s. The audience of 920,000 was the event’s lowest ever. That’s hardly shocking. Read More

Madden Monday: NHL already seeing residue of 'Faustian bargain' with ...

Hockey’s 4 Nations Face Off was a big success. Now, what can the NHL do for an encore? In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X says, so far, with ... Read More

Mark Madden's Hot Take: 10 things to expect for Penguins in 2025-26

Ten things that will happen before the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ next season: 1. Winger Ville Koivunen will be NHL Rookie of the Year. Good speed, great playmaker, plays the 10-foot game ... Read More

Mark Madden: Alex Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky's scoring record ...

Mark Madden: Alex Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky's scoring record, but how he does it matters for NHL Mark Madden Monday, March 31, 2025 9:50 a.m. | Monday, March 31, 2025 9:50 a.m. Go Ad-Free ... Read More