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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 01.10.19
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Jason Mackey
12:46
Hi folks. So today might be a little unique: I'm in El Segundo, Calif. for Kings practice, then Penguins. I'm going to do my best to pull this off and stay communicative, but I also have a bunch to report and a few stories to write in the middle of it. We'll see how it goes. Again, I'll try my best.
Mr. 166
12:49
Hi Jason – Any update on ZAR & Horny?  Also what is your personal favorite piece of Penguins memorabilia you have collected over the years?
Jason Mackey
12:50
ZAR is on IR; that's all we know. Team was traveling yesterday, and they don't provide updates when that happens. Practice is at 4 o'clock Pittsburgh time, at which point we should know more. ... I don't collect memorabilia. I know people have a tough time understanding this one, but I'm genuinely not a fan. You can't be. I like getting things for my son, of course, and there are things that have sentimental value of my dad's ... but me personally, I don't really have anything.
Christian
12:50
Hi Jason, what do you think ends up happening with Brass?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I think he ultimately gets traded. I think the Penguins see an opportunity to get something for a guy on an expiring contract, who hasn't done a ton in Pittsburgh, and they try to find a better fit.
Jon
12:51
who won the Pearson-hagelin trade
Jason Mackey
12:51
Jury is still out, but right now I don't know how you don't say the Penguins, since Hagelin has been hurt.
Guest
12:55
What’s the best part of your job? The traveling? The experiences? Getting to associate with the players?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I like the variety. Getting to be creative and do different things every day. If I have an idea, I have the means to execute it. And when you work your butt off, you have something to show for it. The traveling is cool, too. I'm very lucky in how much of North America I get to see, for free. ... Associating with the players doesn't have the same allure for those of us on this side of the fence. I'm not complaining, but I do see them every day. It's not the same perspective as a fan.
Adam
12:57
Hey Jason, am I wrong or does it look like every center has found a good winger. Sid-JG Geno-Simon Brass-Kessel Cullen-ZAR?
Jason Mackey
12:58
Well, Jake and Sid was a thing before. ... Geno and Simon? I don't know. Awful small sample size. ... I'm not going there on Phil and Brass yet, and ZAR is hurt. I see what you're getting at, but I'm not sure they're there yet.
John
12:58
What would you do with the D pairings when Schultz returns? Pettersson has been playing very well and all the data suggests he's the one floating the 3rd pair right now. I would be fascinated to see he and Schultz together. Stylistically, on paper at least, they would seem to fit very well. Almost a poor-mans letang and dumo.
Jason Mackey
12:58
When he comes back, I think you're probably looking at, to start: 8-58 ... 3-4 ... 28-73 ... 6-50 ... probably make a move with Oleksiak or Ruhwedel, assuming everyone else stays healthy and productive.
Guest
12:58
JR seems to think Brassard has finally found his spot. What are the odds he’s kept around past this season?
Jason Mackey
12:59
Not very good. I have my doubts whether he'll be a Penguin THROUGH this season, but that's just me.
Brian
12:59
Do the Pens have any plans to partner with a Women’s hockey team at some point in the future?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I can't say for sure, but I know they have enjoyed what NWHL association they've had. There's more at play than just their desire, as well. ... But I wouldn't be surprised if that sort of thing continues to grow, along with what they do with the USHL.
Jared
12:59
Jason, do you think a D man will get moved once Schultz returns. We'd essentially have 9 NHL d men
Jason Mackey
1:00
Yes, I think that's fairly likely.
The Champ
1:00
In your article, why did you choose to compare Brassard’s career highs he set as the #1 center in New York to what he is doing as our #3 center as a reason to be disappointed? I’d be shocked if he even sniffed the same point totals he had while playing 1st line center and 1st power play. (Yet he is scoring EV goals at the same pace.)
Jason Mackey
1:00
I wasn't providing a full "comparison." The point of me citing that was to say that there is offense there, and Brassard hasn't been able to tap into that here. Maybe I should have been more clear. My apologies.
Whacky ToMackey
1:00
Maatta, Brassard and what to get Duchene from the Sens?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Why would the Sens take that? They're rebuilding. They had Brassard once. They're going to want to re-stock with Duchene. Maatta might be a start, I guess, but you're gonna have to toss in plenty of picks and prospects.
Feeds
1:01
Thoughts on Friedman linking Pens and Ferland in his 31 thoughts? Do you see a fit there?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I do. But I also see the Hurricanes wanting a lot. I'm not surprised at all it's being speculated about, and I'm willing to bet GMJR has checked; he does that a lot. I think it will come down to this: Can the Penguins offer enough? I have my doubts whether they can. Or that it would make sense.
John
1:03
Did we ever get word on what Murray's injury was? He looks like Matt Murray again. Almost bored in net
Jason Mackey
1:04
Ha. "Almost bored." That's good. No, no word on the injury. It's hockey. I wouldn't hold your breath ... lower-body is all we're likely to find out.
Rob
1:04
Predict how well you think the Pens do on this 5 game road trip!
Jason Mackey
1:04
I think they'll win four of five. Should win Friday and Saturday and against Arizona. I think a split with San Jose and Vegas is fair.
JohnAl
1:04
If you trade Brassard, who exactly do you replace him with? The rental market is incredibly weak. The only centers available who are top 9 players on probable sellers is Kevin Hayes (will cost way too much to acquire). Also, you're not going to get good value for Brassard if he's playing bad enough to where you want to trade him.
Jason Mackey
1:05
Fair point, although if I'm not mistaken, JohnAl, you kinda like Brassard, no? ... But, hey, as much as I think there's a fit that lacks, I wouldn't trade him either if the return was junk.
Icarus
1:05
No offense to Simon and Rust, but those guys ideally are third and fourth line players.  Will Jim be pursuing a wing for either Malkin or Crosby for the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Doubtful, unless it's something like Ferland who would be more than a rental. Rust has been very good with Sid, and I wouldn't mess with that. Simon is not at all suited to fourth-line duty.
ALB
1:06
Geno looks heavier to me this season. Is he? Has his play been slowed by too much stroganoff?
Jason Mackey
1:06
I haven't noticed that. I don't think that has anything to do with his play, to be honest.
Frank
1:06
In your 20 Penguins Thoughts article of 1/8/19, you asked  "What if not seeing top-six time continues to be an issue Brassard struggles to overcome?"
Should I infer from that question that Brassard has been sulking because of reduced playing time and has been expressing his displeasure by deliberately underperforming?
Jason Mackey
1:07
I wouldn't say underperforming, but he and Sullivan have had plenty of minutes about Brassard's struggle to adjust to a lack of top-six role here.
Bob Sackamono
1:07
hi Jason!   What are you most looking forward to on the west coast??
I've just written a song about tortillas; actually, it’s more of a rap.
Jason Mackey
1:07
Aside from hockey, I can't wait to go to Haight-Ashbury on Sunday, to enjoy all things Grateful Dead. ... Also gonna take a trip to Sedona, Ariz., where I've never been.
Frank
1:08
If the Penguins had wanted to keep both Fleury and Murray before the last expansion draft, could thay have traded for an inconsequential but draft-qualified goaltender and exposed him without violating the expansion draft rules?
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