First Call: Ex-Steeler may join Ravens; trade interest in David Bednar; potential domino falls on Erik Karlsson watch

A domino may have fallen in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ pursuit of Erik Karlsson. A former Steelers draft choice has a new home, while another may be closing on a deal with Baltimore.

Plus there is trade interest in Pirates closer David Bednar.

All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”

What does this mean?

The Carolina Hurricanes are reacquiring free-agent defenseman Tony DeAngelo. He had been a member of the Hurricanes before going to the Philadelphia Flyers last year. In 70 games for Philly last season, DeAngelo totaled 11 goals and 42 points.

He’ll count $1.675 million against the salary cap.

“Tony is an elite offensive defenseman who had a great season with us in 2021-22,” Carolina general manager Don Waddell said via NHL.com. “We wanted to re-sign him last summer, and now we’re thrilled to bring him back to Raleigh.”

It has widely been believed for weeks that the Penguins and Hurricanes were the two finalists in the sweepstakes to acquire Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks. Many have felt that whoever didn’t land Karlsson in a trade with the Sharks may try to sign DeAngelo as a consolation prize.

So one has to wonder if this means the Canes are out on Karlsson, and if so, who the Penguins are bidding against. Karlsson has said Seattle and Toronto are other teams that made contact with him about the idea of coming on board.

Controversy has followed DeAngelo in his career for both on-ice and off-ice incidents. He was suspended twice during his junior career, including for violating the OHL’s policy outlawing “homophobic, racist, and sexist language” and abuse of officials. While with the Arizona Coyotes in 2017, he also was suspended for three games for physical abuse of officials.

During his time with the New York Rangers, following a 5–4 overtime loss to the Penguins in January 2021, the Rangers placed DeAngelo on waivers for a physical altercation with teammate Alexandar Georgiev.

Interest in Bednar?

It’s an annual rite of summer in Pittsburgh. The yearly wave of interest from other MLB teams in acquiring whoever happened to be in the All-Star Game for the Pirates.

Oftentimes over recent history, that’s been their closer. And, in this case, it’s local product David Bednar. According to John Heyman of MLB.com and the New York Post, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington isn’t rejecting inquiries about the availability of the right-hander from Mars Area High School.

Pirates are telling teams they’d listen on All-Star closer David Bednar but the understanding is that he’d be difficult to move since he isn’t a free agent until 2027. The Pittsburgh native (another plus for the Bucs) has a 1.15 ERA.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 24, 2023

There’s a big difference between listening to inquiries and actively shopping the player, so we will see where it goes. The trade deadline is Aug. 1.

Bednar has saved 19 of 20 opportunities this year.

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A move for Maulet

Former Steeler Arthur Maulet seemed a little bitter about how his time ended in Pittsburgh.

Now he may have a chance to take out some measure of revenge against his old team twice a year.

The slot corner is apparently on the verge of joining the Baltimore Ravens.

Former Steelers CB Arthur Maulet is nearing an agreement to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, per source.

Maulet played a lot of slot CB and special teams snaps for Pittsburgh last 2 years. And now he could play against Steelers twice a year.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) July 24, 2023

In two seasons with the Steelers, Maulet played in 33 games with eight starts. He had 106 tackles, an interception, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

That move makes sense for the Ravens, especially after former Baltimore cornerback Marcus Peters went to Las Vegas.

Bound for Bears?

An ex-Steeler is heading to the Chicago Bears. It’s former fourth-round draft pick Buddy Johnson.

Via KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson, Chicago is signing the Texas A&M product to a contract.

#Bears signing former #Steelers fourth-round linebacker @AggieFootball Buddy Johnson #Texans #49ers , per a league source #BearDown @KPRC2

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 25, 2023

The linebacker played in four games with Pittsburgh, registering two tackles. He got in just 6% of defensive snaps, playing primarily on special teams. After the 2021 season, the Steelers cut him. In 2022, Johnson spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans practice squads.

Wilson also reported that the Denver Broncos worked out former Steelers corner Mark Gilbert.