First Call: Former Steelers coach goes to Patriots; Tom Brady's future open-ended; big hits, fights between Rangers-Flames

Tuesday’s “First Call” sees a former Pittsburgh Steelers coach return to the NFL after a short stint in college. Tom Brady seems to want to keep all of us guessing. There was madness at the Garden as hockey resumed after the All-Star break.

Pitt should be in a good position against Louisville. And we preview the Colorado Avalanche as they visit Pittsburgh for a game against the Penguins.

Klemm goes back again

Former Steelers offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is going to New England to take that same job with the Patriots. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Klemm will leave the University of Oregon to head to Foxborough.

Klemm had been the associate head coach and run game coordinator with the Ducks after leaving the Steelers following the 2021 season. He was replaced by Pat Meyer.

This is a return to Gillette Stadium for Klemm. He spent four years as an offensive lineman with the Pats from 2000-04.

Initially, Klemm interviewed with the Patriots in January for their vacant offensive coordinator position. However, the Patriots ended up bringing back Alabama OC Bill O’Brien.

Brady back … again?

Tom Brady just doesn’t like admitting he is retired, does he?

On FS1, Colin Cowherd asked Brady whether there’s even a “1% chance” that he’d come back to play again.

"I just wanted to keep last week short and sweet. I've given a lot, gained a lot and learned a lot."

— @TomBrady on retirement pic.twitter.com/R6zYyqgD2d

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 6, 2023

“I know in my heart how I feel. I put it out on the field for 23 years, and I’m super proud of what’s been accomplished. I just wanted to keep last week really short and sweet, and I felt like I’ve given a lot, I’ve gained a lot, I’ve learned a lot. Life is about exciting things ahead too, so I think when one thing closes, like football has for me for 32 years of my life, I look forward to what’s ahead. There’s new chapters and new exciting things and there’s new growth, new opportunities, and I’m really excited for what’s ahead,” Brady said. “I’ve loved my time in football, it’s absolutely an incredible love in my life. And it’s hard to make decisions like that, but it’s certainly the right time.”

I didn’t read a “no” there, did you? Brady said a lot of words in that sentence. Not one of them was “no.” Or, “Yes, I’m done for sure.”

Brady said that Fox is allowing him to start his previously arranged broadcasting deal in 2024.

Garden party

A wild night at Madison Square Garden was the highlight of the NHL’s return from the All-Star break.

It’s tough to find two skaters more disliked by opposing fan bases than Calgary’s Nazim Kadri and Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers. The two had a few run-ins during their game Monday. It led up to this monster hit from Trouba on Kadri and an ensuing fight between Trouba and Dillon Dube.

Trouba with another huge hit and Kadri's bucket goes flying!! pic.twitter.com/oXlYqA1l2d

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) February 7, 2023

Trouba had belted Dube earlier in the game. Then he ended up fighting Chris Tanev.

Trouba with a big hit on Dube, then a fight with Tanev ???? pic.twitter.com/w38tuiPb7i

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 7, 2023

The game ended up going to overtime tied at 4-4. Alexis Lafreniere won it for New York in the extra session.

Alexis Lafreniere wins it for The Rangers in OT and Markstrom needs a new twig!! #NYR pic.twitter.com/pkVAg3JWil

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) February 7, 2023

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division, the New Jersey Devils won 5-4 over the Vancouver Canucks, and the New York Islanders grabbed two points with a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

So, the Devils have 70 points, six points behind the Metro-leading Carolina Hurricanes and six points in front of the Rangers.

The Islanders now have 57 points tied for fifth place, and the second wild card with the Penguins.

Familiar spot

Like the Penguins, their Tuesday night opponent is starting the post-All Star push struggling to secure a playoff spot.

We’re talking about the defending Stanley Champion Colorado Avalanche. They come to PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday with 57 points, just like the Pens. By getting a point in that overtime loss to the Rangers, the Flames (58 points) pulled in front of Colorado for the final playoff spot out west.

But Colorado was playing very well heading into the break. They had won seven of eight, allowing more than two goals just twice in that stretch.

Bowen Byram has been cleared for return in Tuesday night’s game. Byram has not played since early November with a lower-body injury. The defenseman was initially designated as week-to-week for return. He has missed the last 38 Avalanche games.

Forward Valeri Nichushkin is supposed to come back Tuesday as well. According to USA Today, defenseman Josh Manson, captain Gabriel Landeskog and forward Darren Helm are all “progressing,” but aren’t expected to face the Pens.

Seeing red

It’s been a rough year for most of the ACC. Few have had it rougher than the Louisville Cardinals. They are 1-11 in conference play. Only the 1-12 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have been worse this season.

Now Louisville visits Oakland to tangle with the ascending Pitt Panthers on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Jeff Capel’s team is 9-3 in ACC play and 16-7 overall. They are in second place in the conference. Pitt has won three in a row and five of their last six games.

Pitt won the previous matchup between the teams 75-54. Greg Elliott had 23 points to lead the way.