On Wednesday, I wrote a column suggesting that the Pittsburgh Penguins should trade for New York Rangers center Vince Trocheck.

To reiterate some of my arguments, the Penguins need a center. He’s great at faceoffs. He’s good in shootouts. The Penguins are deficient in both of those areas.

Trocheck was in the top 20 of Selke Trophy votes last year. He had 20 points in 16 playoff games with the Rangers in 2024. He was also part of a Team USA penalty kill unit that didn’t allow a goal throughout the entire Olympics en route to a gold medal last month in Italy.

Plus, there is a fun “local kid comes home” angle for the Upper St. Clair product. What’s not to like?

Well, based on your responses in my emails and my social media interactions … everything!

In this week’s “U mad, bro?” we discuss that topic, Malik Willis, the Steelers’ low NFLPA player grades, and we dispense marriage advice.

Lots of people hate my idea that the Penguins should trade for Rangers center Vince Trocheck. Let’s start with Mike. He seems like a great guy.

Why? Because I don’t share your opinion on a trade? Look, tough guy, I know enough hockey to know you are the worst kind of hockey fan.

“Hockey! Greatest sport in the world! You should write/talk more about it … until I disagree with something you say.”

Then it’s “Stick to football!”

The type of hockey fans like you are great at saying, “Come up to the tree house.” Then they start criticizing you for how you are climbing the tree.

Lots of teams are going to want to trade for this guy. You don’t think Pittsburgh should? OK. That’s fine. But drop the attitude about it.

“ZMan” isn’t on board either.

“They need to not trade for him. Stay the course. It’s (expletive) working. Why would you trade draft assets. They are in 2nd place. It would be foolish to acquire him for what it would cost.”

Why would I trade assets? Um, because they’ve gathered tons of assets.

“They’ve acquired tons of later-round picks. That’s not going to get u Trocheck. It’ll take a top prospect & a 1st (at least). The pens aren’t in a position to make a trade like that. They r in a great spot right now & have unloaded tons of bad contracts. Stay the course.”

Z, they just drafted three first-rounders. They just drafted 13 men. Over the next three years, they have 16 picks in the first three rounds. When did Penguins fans become Pirates fans when it comes to prospect hoarding?

Someone calling themselves “Pens4Evr” weighs in as well.

A couple of things:

• If he’s too old, he’s too old, and the amount of retention shouldn’t matter.

• He’s not too old. He’s a 32-year-old hockey player in the year 2026. Not a 50-year-old running back in 1974. He missed one regular-season game the last four years prior to an early-season injury in October.

• If age is what matters, then I assume you want Malkin to walk at the end of the year, correct? Bryan Rust, Kris Letang and Rickard Rakell too? Because they are all doddering old men who are 32 or older as well. To say nothing of that Sidney Crosby fossil.

Matt Cullen was here at age 39-40 as a down-the-line center. Was he any good in that role en route to two Stanley Cups?

Here is another ageist named Patrick.

You’re right. The Penguins never should’ve acquired 40-year-old Gary Roberts, 38-year-old Bill Guerin or 32-year-old Hal Gill. Those guys were all busts, over the hill and never helped the Penguins win anyth…

“Mookie1995” may be undervaluing Trocheck just a pinch.

Mookie, I’m gonna take the over.

Let’s switch gears. Samuel wanted to thank me for what he called my “Malik Willis essay” earlier this week.

“For once, you are 100% on the money. Congratulations!”

Featured Local Businesses

More local businesses

For once, Samuel, I agree that an emailer is 100% on the money.

Look, I know a backhanded compliment when I get one. But based on how the Trocheck stuff is going, I’ll take what I can get.

Thank you for reading my essay.

Joe in Florida really adored this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast discussing the Steelers’ low player grades in the annual NFLPA survey. Mark Madden and I wondered — if the players think it stinks so badly in Pittsburgh — why do so many of them keep signing extensions to stay here and pout when they don’t get offered right away?

“You and Madden are two of the most unlikable media personalities in my lifetime … and I am 76. For another, maybe Steeler players aren’t leaving for fear of the unknown. Been in a bad marriage? I have and staying is easier than leaving for … what? Maybe the public should rate you. I would give you both ‘F’s.’”

Joe, I don’t think you should be emailing a sports columnist. I think you should be contacting a marriage counselor. Or, if your wife sees this email, perhaps a divorce attorney.

And in terms of dishing out poor advice, I’d argue that encouraging people to stay in a bad marriage because there’s no reason to believe you can do any better in life is, uh, about as bad as you can get.

It’s also probably a lot more emblematic of Mike Tomlin’s last nine years as a head coach of the Steelers than you’ll ever want to admit.

My suggestion to you, Joe, is to get out there and start a new chapter in your own life. Be happy! As you said, at 76, you are starting to get up there in years.

I mean, you’re not as old as Vince Trocheck. But enjoy the golden years.

Finally, let’s allow “SgtBarnes67” sound off on that topic as well.

Plus, look at how restricted the aisles are to the back of that plane with — I assume — no more than five bathrooms.

Am I right, people?