Prior to the qualifying round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Penguins hadn't played meaningful hockey in 144 days. They were bounced out of Toronto in six days by the Montreal Canadiens in the most embarrassing playoff defeat in the Crosby/Malkin era.
The Pirates have the worst record in Major League Baseball.
There are reports that college football is going to be cancelled. The talk is that Pitt was going to have its best football team since the early 80's.
Welp.
2020 sucks.
There only one thing that's keeping my sports fan head up this morning. This freaking guy!
The direction of the Penguins franchise could change tonight at 6pm. That's when "Phase 2" of the NHL's draft lottery process takes place. The Penguins have a 12.5 percent chance to get the most talented player in this year's draft.
His name is Alexis Lafreniere, and he is spectacular. Imagine THAT dude on Crosby's wing. I have. Lafreniere had 112 points in 52 games playing for Rimouski Oceanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The kid can play.
There's plenty of blame to go around for the Penguins early playoff exit (for the second straight year). Getting Lafreniere would solve a lot of problems. He could help keep the Crosby/Malkin window open, and then be the franchise's cornerstone after they depart.
That is, of course, if the ping pong ball bounces their way. I'm crossing my fingers, stroking my lucky rabbits foot, and even throwing up a prayer. 2020 sucks. Getting Alexis Lafreniere in a Penguins' uniform would make it suck a little less.