Six of the most popular articles on SCST. http://www.scsportstalk.com (2 comments) - Last Friday, we published a post about the divergent attendance and enthusiasm trends in the NHL vs. the NBA. It has sparked some wide-ranging debate, and I'm due on Rogers Sportsnet's Prime Time Sports to discuss it tonight. Sports Media Watch has a post on the topic week with some really interesting numbers and insights, including how razor-thin the margin is between the NBA and NHL in average attendance:

During the 2007-08 season, the NBA averaged 17,396 fans per game, compared to 17,268 for the NHL. Through November 24 of this year, using the most recent data compiled from ESPN.com, the NBA is edging the NHL in average attendance, 17,178 to 17,119. http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000372 (2 comments) - LOS ANGELES (TICKER) —Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been fined $20,000 for comments he made following Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a Tuesday report on FOXSports.com.

Harrison was called for a personal foul when he took down David Garrard after the Jaguars’ quarterback released a pass early in the fourth quarter.

“Ridiculous call,” Harrison said after the Steelers’ 26-21 victory. “You don’t make a call like that. Unless (the official) might have money on it.”

The 2007 Pro Bowler will join New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the list of those that have been fined for comments critical of NFL officials this season.

Payton was fined $15,000 while Jones was docked $25,000. http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000321 (4 comments) - SCST's own MattyGabe runs through a list of 5 things the Penguins must do in order to secure a spot in the upcoming NHL Playoffs for 2009. http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000407 (2 comments) - Thirty-five newly minted millionaires -- the cream of the NFL rookie class -- gathered in Los Angeles over the weekend to pose for their trading-card photos.

On the opposite coast this week, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the league's 32 owners will gather for their annual May meetings and talk about ways to keep those rookie salaries in check.

Among the many topics up for discussion in the two-day meetings, which begin Tuesday, is a rookie salary cap that probably will be part of a new collective bargaining agreement. After all, where's the justice in a rookie who has yet to take a snap earning more than a perennial Pro Bowl player? http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000476 (0 comments) - By the end of the day, the Pirates should have their bench completely filled out.

Infielder Luis Cruz was told Wednesday morning that he will assume one of the two remaining bench spots unless the team makes a waiver claim or other acquisition before the season opens on Monday. General manager Neal Huntington, however, confirmed that no such acquisition is imminent or expected.

"We like what we have," Huntington said. "We feel good about the options that we have internally really at every spot. Now we just need young guys to step up and capture their opportunities." http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000460 (0 comments) - PITTSBURGH (AP)—Pittsburgh Steelers right guard Darnell Stapleton(notes) has been placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury and will miss the season.

Stapleton injured his left knee during the first week of training camp and had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage. http://www.scsportstalk.com/viewarticle.php?id=1000492