First Call: Details from Jake Guentzel's trade; Mitch Trubisky discusses leaving Pittsburgh; Chuks Okorafor's new team

In Friday’s “First Call,” we have some fallout on the Jake Guentzel trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Carolina Hurricanes.

We also have comments from Mitch Trubisky on his departure from Pittsburgh, news of Kevin Dotson’s whopper of a new contract in Los Angeles, and details of Chuks Okorafor’s new home.

Plus, Robert Morris’ hockey team looks for another big upset in postseason play.

What now for Jake

According to the Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Thursday night’s trade between the Penguins and Hurricanes doesn’t include the promise of a contract extension for Jake Guentzel in Raleigh.

There is no contract extension in the works for Jake Guentzel after this trade is executed between #Canes and #pens.

No permission was granted prior to the deal; Carolina hopeful to get him in and acquainted and then begin conversations.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 8, 2024

That could be informative on two fronts. On one hand, that may by part of the reason why the return for Guentzel wasn’t as impressive as some Penguins fans expected.

On the other, that could mean hope — however unlikely — stays alive for Guentzel coming back to Pittsburgh during the offseason by re-signing here in the summer.

Guentzel tallied 219 goals and 247 assists in 503 career games with the Penguins.

The NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. Friday. Expect more Penguins moves to come.

On the ‘DOT’-ted line

Former Steeler Kevin Dotson is signing a big contract to stay with the Los Angeles Rams. “KDot” is inking a three-year deal worth $48 million, according to Jordan Schultz at Bleacher Report.

BREAKING: The #Rams are re-signing star guard Kevin Dotson on a 3-year deal worth 48M, sources tell @BleacherReport.

That's a big 16 APY for Dotson to solidify LA's O-Line. pic.twitter.com/O7gdwZiv4T

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 7, 2024

After the 2022 season concluded, Dotson was traded from Pittsburgh (along with a 2024 fifth-round draft pick and 2025 sixth-round pick) to L.A. for a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Upon landing with the Rams, Dotson had his best year as apro, playing 881 snaps last season. The 27-year-old former fourth-round pick graded out at 84.4 overall from Pro Football Focus, second best among guards in the NFL.

Via OverTheCap, Dotson’s $16 million average annual salary makes him the fourth-highest paid right guard in the NFL.

More sports

• Jake Guentzel trade leaves sour taste in mouths of milkshake fans
• Mitch Trubisky signs 2-year contract with Buffalo Bills
• Steelers release veteran safety Keanu Neal after failed physical

Checking on Chuks

It appears Chucks Okorafor has a new home. It’s in New England.

The former Steelers offensive tackle has reportedly signed a deal with the Patriots, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

The #Patriots beef up their tackle spot, agreeing to terms with former #Steelers starter Chukwuma Okorafor, source said. Plenty of starting experience.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2024

Okorafor was the Steelers’ third-round pick in 2018. He started 59 games between 2018-23. Surprisingly, he was given a three-year contract extension in March 2022 worth $9.25 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $9.75 million.

After seeing the Steelers draft rookie tackle Broderick Jones in April and Dan Moore secured the left tackle job in training camp of 2023, Okorafor was eventually benched from his right tackle starting spot. He was allegedly overheard on the sidelines making a disparaging remark about the Steelers’ offense during a 20-10 loss to Jacksonville in October of last year.

Up to that point, Okorafor never missed a snap on offense. He played just 11 offensive snaps the rest of the season.

Mitch meets with the media

Upon reuniting with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Mitch Trubisky met with the Buffalo media through a virtual press conference.

The former Steelers quarterback re-signed in the city where he played prior to becoming a Steeler in 2022. During his Q&A, Trubisky said he appreciated the Steelers’ willingness to cut him early in the calendar so he had a chance to latch on with a team in advance of free agency.

We're live with QB Mitchell Trubisky as he meets with the media!#GoBills | #BillsMafia https://t.co/oVrGw7yKSb

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) March 7, 2024

“I was thankful that the Steelers released me earlier than free agency actually started. My agent was able to start talking to some teams. So, I took a very relaxed approach. I just had a feeling I was supposed to end up exactly where I was supposed to be,” Trubisky said.

Trubisky said coming back to Buffalo was “at the top of his list” when he was released last month. He appears to have left Pittsburgh without much ill will.

“It was a good, mutual breakup,” Trubisky said. “There were rumblings that they were going to do it. My mindset was, if it’s going to happen, it’d probably be more beneficial to do it sooner rather than later. It helped me get a head start on free agency. It was beneficial for both sides in the end. I’m thankful for that, and I’m thankful for my time there.”

In two years as a Steeler, Trubisky posted just a 77.6 passer rating and a 2-5 record as a starter. He had only eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions along the way and averaged 6.6 yards per attempt.

Why stop now?

After pulling off a first-round upset in the Atlantic Hockey playoffs Saturday, the Robert Morris Colonials look to double down on that trick this weekend. The 11th-seeded Colonials surprised the sixth-seeded Bentley Falcons 4-3 in overtime last week.

Freshman Cam Garvey took advantage of a goalie turnover to win it with just 10 seconds left to go before the end of overtime.

THE GAME WINNER BY @CamGarvey‼️ 10 SECONDS LEFT IN OT! #BobbyMo #AHA20 pic.twitter.com/LkyW1zxNAe

— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) March 3, 2024

After winning the one-game, first-round playoff, Derek Schooley’s club now travels to Rochester for a best-of-three showdown this weekend against RIT. The Tigers won the AHA regular-season crown with 54 points. They won all four games against the Colonials by a combined score of 23-7.

This round is a best-of-three series. Games 1 and 2 are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it’ll be played at 5 p.m. Sunday.

With a series win at RIT, the Colonials would advance to the AHA Semifinal Round in another best-of-three series. They would travel to the best seed remaining in the bracket. The next round is scheduled for March 15-17.