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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 01.17.19
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Jason Mackey
1:18
As I said before, I think he's pressing and it could be a skate issue. ... Reminder, folks, gonna avoid pushing through the questions that I've already answered to keep this moving along. Thanks.
B M
1:19
Why not just keep Brassard? How can they possibly upgrade that position without giving away a ton like another first round pick? Let him play out the rest of his cheap contract that we already gave a ton away to get in the first place.
Jason Mackey
1:19
I think that's a very real school of thought here, B M. The return may be less than what they have. But I do expect them to try with Brassard.
RandomHockeyGuy
1:19
I know what GMJR told you regarding trading Grant and roster flexibility, but it doesn't make much sense.  Afraid of losing Grant on waivers, so they pickup a guy who has no waiver exemption?  He was in the AHL, so if they left him there that would have been fine.  But by bringing him up to the NHL club, he is now subjected to waivers where the Penguins can lose him.  Flexibility would have been leaving him in the AHL, and calling up Blueger or another player that has waiver exemption, and can be changed out with ease.  Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:20
Blandisi already cleared waivers. Jim wouldn't say this, either, but it's possible they have more confidence in Blandisi clearing than Grant. Based on precedent, too, I can understand why.
Tickle Me Peter
1:20
As of today, Pens would play Lightning in the playoffs. Who would you take in a best of 5?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I would take the Lightning. But I think it goes five.
Nate
1:21
The Dallas Stars have been mentioned recently as a possible trade destination for Brassard. Do you know anything about their 3C Radek Fasek?
Jason Mackey
1:21
He would be a very good fit, IMO. So good, in fact, that I can't see why Dallas would want to do that. But if they're interesting and I'm Rutherford, man, I'm figuring out a way to make that work.
Alex
1:21
Hey Jason. Just wondering what’s the timeline to the final decision for Brassard?
Jason Mackey
1:21
There isn't, Alex. And as I said before, there might not be one. I honestly don't think GMJR feels any pressure to make a move any which way.
Asthmadan
1:21
With Schultz's imminant return, what do you think the defense pairings will be?
Jason Mackey
1:22
To start: Dumoulin-Letang ... Maatta-Schultz ... Pettersson-Johnson ... Oleksiak ... Riikola ... Ruhwedel.
Mario
1:22
Have you been on the West Coast trip the entire time?  Do you ever interact with the local media or hangout with the Penguins/opposing team's staff after your work is finished?
Jason Mackey
1:23
I have been on the whole thing. We do interact some, yes -- meaning fellow members of the media. Not so much Penguins team staff, at least not this trip. ... But there's no reason behind that. Media/staff do hang out. Just been a busy trip, and the Penguins stayed in L.A. while we went to San Jose.
Guest
1:23
Is there a certain percentage of games DeSmith should play to keep him in top form, assuming the Murray is healthy?
Jason Mackey
1:24
GMJR said a while back he wanted Niemi to play 35-40. Obviously Niemi didn't give them that, but I believe that's where they want the backup to fall.
Alex
1:24
Is the writing on the wall for Tristan Jarry? What happened that made him lose traction in the organization?
Jason Mackey
1:25
Yes, it is on the wall. He won't be with the team next year. It's just a matter of whether it happens at the deadline or over the summer. ... Not a ton, really. DeSmith just played better, although the knocks on Jarry are these two things: 1. His practice habits were pretty bad, although they've gotten better. 2. And he's always been prone to mental lapses. He could play 57 really good minutes in a game, but 3 terrible ones ... and nobody knows when they'll come.
Nate
1:25
If they trade Brassard do you think GMJR needs to get a 3C back or would he settle for a scoring wing and play Sheahan and Cullen at C?
Jason Mackey
1:26
I think he would be OK with Sheahan at 3C, provided they get a premium wing who, along with Kessel, could drive offense on that line.
Arnold Layne
1:26
If GM could go back in time would he pay Bonino the extra coin? also if Jordan Staal  stayed a penguin would he have been a hall of famer?
Jason Mackey
1:27
I think Staal might've been, yes. Would love to have seen what he could've done had he stayed. ... No on Bonino. Given his age and that contract and the Penguins' structure, I don't think there are any regrets there. The Penguins shouldn't have to pay their 3C a ton because of what Crosby and Malkin draw matchup-wise. People should do exactly what Bonino did with that role: Use it to get paid elsewhere.
Guest
1:27
Will the Penguins ever find a third line center who stays? Haha
Jason Mackey
1:28
Good question. Probably not, honestly. That's sorta how this works: Find someone who makes a reasonable sum, allow him to produce, and then he makes big money and leaves. The team and player are using each other.
Andy
1:28
What about Wilson’s 0 career goals in around 50 games does GMJR like so much?
Jason Mackey
1:29
Ha. I knew this one was coming. They're not looking at him to score. They like that he's willing to fight at the drop of a hat. They like his willingness to block shots, and how he's no-maintenance, always positive, responsible defensively, etc. People will disagree with that line of thinking. I'm just relaying what they like.
Joe
1:29
Brass said I’m going to get more involved what was he not trying before? Is he that arrogant
Jason Mackey
1:29
I think his point in what he told me was that he wants to produce more than he has.
Deputy Martin
1:30
Is Crosby the best chance for an individual player to win an award this year? Letang should but Canadian writers won't ever let that happen
Jason Mackey
1:31
Canadian writers would prevent their own guy from winning? I don't know about that. I think Sid has a decent shot at the Selke. See where this goes but maybe the Hart, if they, say, come back and win the division or do something significant. I think Letang is absolutely in the Norris conversation, although he's had a few boneheaded turnovers recently that haven't exactly helped.
Matt in Cleveland
1:31
In the 2021-22 season, who is least likely to be with the Pens (they're all under contract until then) : Malkin, Evgeni "A"
Crosby, Sidney "C"
Letang, Kris "A"
Kessel, Phil
Guentzel, Jake
Hörnqvist, Patric
Dumoulin, Brian
Jason Mackey
1:31
I would go with Kessel. ... Second choice would be Hornqvist, because of injuries.
Alills6
1:31
Hey Jason, just wondering if the penguins are skating today?  And if so at gila or at the ice den?
Jason Mackey
1:31
They are. 2:15 p.m. at Gila.
Denny
1:31
Think Jarry goes at the deadline ?
Jason Mackey
1:32
I think so, yes. I think it makes more sense to do it now rathe than the summer because Jim loses some leverage in the summer; opposing GMs know he would basically have to do something then.
Matt in Cleveland
1:32
and a follow up to my 2021-22 question, will the Pens be in Win-cup mode, rebuild mode or reload mode, or somewhere in limbo with no plan?
Jason Mackey
1:33
I still see them in Win-cup mode, to be honest. Unless something crazy happens with Guentzel, Dumoulin and Murray, who are basically the future franchise pillars. Rust, too.
Tickle My Twinkie
1:33
Pick 1 3rd line C, Here is my list of possible guys in order of best fit. Who would be ur ideal fit pertaining to Player / Cap hit - Faksa -DAL / Zacha - NJD / Danault - MTL / Jenner - CSJ / Schenn - STL / Hayes - NYR / Nelson - NYI / Lowery - WPG / Tierney - OTT / Coyle- MIN / Jarnkrok - NSH / Granlund - VAN /
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