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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 02.07.19
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Jason Mackey
12:01
Hi folks and greetings from South Florida. Finishing up here at the rink, then need to drive home. We're gonna chat from 1-2 p.m. today. Sorry for the hard cap but just too much actual work today. Hope you understand. Will try to stay on topic with questions and avoid repetitive ones. Thanks.
Chris
1:00
Recent comments from HCMS and various analyists suggest that the Pens are done making moves and that this is the team they're going to roll with into the playoffs. Maybe I'm just being a typical yinzer fan that wants more trades, but wouldn't we be much more primed for a run with an upgrade at LW?(cough cough Ferland cough) Think he'd help us much more than moving a Blueger to the wing or anything that Simon does.
Jason Mackey
1:02
I don't think you're out of bounds with that, Chris. HCMS doesn't control moves being made, and I'll be honest: I haven't seen an analyst who suggested they're done. Most of the Canadian guys -- McKenzie, Friedman and Dreger -- have a line to GMJR or other decision-makers, as do I. Notice none of us saying he's done. He's aggressive, and I still think he looks at this team as not quite there. The other side will be this: When does it become too much? I think Jim is flirting with that line right now.
Dave
1:02
Pretty tight from the 2 through 9 spots in the East, although the Atlantic has started to wiggle a smidget ahead of the Metro.    Do you think the Pens finish with a top 3 spot in the Metro?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I think so, Dave, but I'm not completely convinced. I keep waiting for the Islanders to, well, look like the Islanders, and it hasn't happened. But I still think the Penguins are good enough to finish in the top three, provided they get out of this current funk.
JohnAl
1:03
Has Garret Wilson been told to get a permanent place in Pittsburgh or is he still in the hotel?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I believe he's still in a hotel. I can't imagine that when Malkin and ZAR comes back that Wilson is anything more than the 13F. Maybe below that.
guest
1:03
What do you think Malkin's injury is and was it from the Girardi hit?  Is it more serious (like a shoulder separation) than first thought?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I'm hearing it involved his neck. I don't know what that means, and I don't have enough to overtly report it, otherwise I would. But that's what I've been hearing. And yes, it's from the Girardi hit. I had enough to report that. Did it last night.
Mike
1:04
Seems like the Pens still need another piece or two to make a legit run at the Cup.  What other moves do you see JR trying to make by the deadline?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I think he needs a left wing ... probably what they thought they were getting in Tanner Pearson but didn't. Someone who could fit with Malkin and do something to impact games. Maybe depth on defense, too, but I think a left wing -- good room guy, too -- would help.
Cameron
1:05
Do you feel Bjugstad will earn the 3rd C spot, or will he be better suited on Crosby’s line winging? Will McCann end up with the 3rd C role?
Jason Mackey
1:06
It depends on results, but I think they want to see Bjugstad on the wing and McCann center the third line. Of course, is Malkin is hurt and McCann isn't up to the task, that changes things. But in an ideal world, that's what I think they would like to see happen.
FlowerPower
1:06
Hi Jason always nice to chat. I think the Penguins might need a PK Specialist. Since they lost Sheahan( cough...cough... Hagelin... cough...cough) and Why Bjugstad on the wing of Crosby??? Have a great day
Jason Mackey
1:07
They like Bjugstad's ability to play the wing, plain and simple, from how he creates, his two-way play, how he thinks, his reach, lot of things. I think they need someone who can play on the PK. I think "PK specialist" is an overrated term. They need a guy who can do a couple different things, penalty killing being one of them.
guest
1:09
Aren't the Pens banking a lot on Schultz immediately returning to form as a puck moving defenseman?  The Pens need good puck movers from the blue line and the lack of that is hurting offensive zone time.  If he doesn't return to form they're sunk.  Do you think Rutherford realizes this and is trying to swing a trade for another defenseman?
Jason Mackey
1:10
Not to replace Schultz. Maybe a depth guy, but they can't afford someone who can do what Schultz can do. And I also think they're waiting until Schultz is 110 percent. For the exact reason you mentioned.
Yah Boi
1:10
0-100 What do you think the chances of seeing Malkin tonight are?
Jason Mackey
1:10
Not very good. Been out more than a week. Hasn't practice with teammates. Was skating this morning. I'm expecting Malkin, Schultz and Murray to all be out.
Guest123
1:10
Do you think they go after a winger in your opinion?
Jason Mackey
1:10
Yes.
Mason Jackey
1:11
Hi Jason,
Jason Mackey
1:11
Hello.
Ron
1:11
Unseasonably warm for February (even for Florida standards).   Any issues with the quality of the ice for tonight or Saturday?
Jason Mackey
1:11
I don't think the other in either place is terribly good, but it's no different than any other February here, IMO.
A Spy
1:11
Any chance you can tell me where the Penguins bus leaves at so I can find them?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Nope. Sorry.
Pat
1:11
When healthy, do you think the C core is Crosby, Malkin, McCann and Cullen, based on current lines? Also, which top 9 winger do you see dropping to 4th (Simon, Pearson, Rust, Hornqvist)?
Jason Mackey
1:12
Yes to your first question. Not Hornqvist and probably not Simon. Based on current production, Pearson. But I'd entertain the idea of Rust there if he wasn't need with Sid or Geno. Right now, however, he is.
Tim
1:12
Thanks for hosting these chats. It's something I look forward to each week. Any idea when Malkin is expected back?
Jason Mackey
1:13
My guess would be Saturday at the earliest. But again, that's based on him having yet to practice and missing more than a week.
PM
1:13
When Malkin/ZAR return, which forwards drop out of the top 12?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I think it looks like this: 59-87-27 ... 17-71-81 ... 12-19-72 ... 14-7-46 (or 53)
So, Wilson one. And, depending on Blueger, ZAR, Simon or Pearson, although you're paying Pearson too much to sit.
Mike
1:14
Hey Jason, I'm curious from a writers standpoint what you do when a major trade breaks like the Brassard trade.  Did you know beforehand what was happening or did you find out from Dreger like the rest of us.  Once you read his tweet, what is the typical process for a beat writer?
Jason Mackey
1:16
So GMJR is different. As chatty as he is about other things, it's always a bomb when it happens. I mean, we knew the Brassard trade would happen at some point, but we read the Dreger tweet just like you. He or they don't give us a heads up. First you want to get it confirmed, just to be safe. In the middle of that, you write for the web, sent a couple paragraphs to get something online. Then continue to dig and research and whatever to get a longer version online called the write-thru (your first) with context. Next, interviews. Either GMJR or the player, trying to talk to them, if possible. There's another write-thru. That's the gist anyway.
yekcaM nosaJ
1:16
Do you think Brassard likes Florida more then Pittsburgh. Also how well do you think Sheahan and Brassard do in Tonights game?
Jason Mackey
1:17
I think Brassard likes Florida a lot more than Pittsburgh. He's demeanor is waaay different. He's very happy to be out. Not because he hated Pittsburgh, but he just didn't feel like he was doing anything. And he was right. And he felt like his situation -- whether you agree or not -- prevented him from doing anything. Yeah, I think both will play well, with a little chip on their shoulders. I have Brassard down for a goal tonight.
Mason Jackey
1:17
Hi Jason, it appears the Pens plan to use Bjugstad as a RW tonight. Would it be safe to assume that they view McCann as their 3C since even with Geno out they have Bjugstad on the wing? Do you think McCann (or whoever else they use as 3C besides Bjugstad) will be able to handle those minutes/responsibilities?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Yes, that's a safe assumption. And my answer is this: I don't know. Because he's never done it on such a team, with these sort of players. I think he has the tools, but I don't think any of us know -- the Penguins included -- whether he's going to turn this into a Bonino sort of deal.
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