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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 02.21.19
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Jason Mackey
1:52
Hi folks. Just got back from an interview for a feature story. Will start this thing in a few minutes. Thank you, as always, for your participation.
The Jeffster
1:57
Jason - why do you think Sullivan keeps Simon in the lineup (especially at the expense of someone like Blueger at times)?
Jason Mackey
1:58
I honestly just think he likes him. I'm not saying that to be glib or anything like that. Sullivan thinks Simon is a good player. Always has. Liked him a lot better than Sprong. I think Sullivan likes him more than Blueger, too, which is why you're seeing these particular lineup decisions. Right or wrong, I think Sullivan sees significant offensive upside with Simon.
Randy B
1:59
Hi Jason! Now that Carl Hagelin is a member of the Washington Capitals, how likely do you think it is he scores a big goal against the Pens?
Jason Mackey
1:59
I don't know about scoring a big goal -- that was never really Hagelin's thing -- but I do think he'll play a big role on the Capitals. And if they meet the Penguins this postseason, I would expect Hagelin to play an important role. I think that's a huge add for Washington.
Bill
1:59
Competition among the forwards will only help but why does it seem like Sullivan waited for Blueger's first average game in order to bench him? Really frustrating to see him and Riikola not given the leeway to work through struggles when they arise.
Jason Mackey
2:00
I don't disagree with how Sullivan has handled Riikola. I think Ruhwedel should've been given a chance to play long before he did -- and he's played really well. No issues there. As for Blueger, you're right. The grading scale does seem different with Blueger, but that's hardly atypical for young players. Coaches are generally willing to put up with fewer mistakes.
Hornqvist Fan
2:01
Jason, every year Kessel goes through long stretches where he simply doesn’t take shots on goal despite his coaches requests.  How can he reasonably explain this to the coaches & teammates?  He certainly isn’t on the ice for his defensive skills. ENOUGH of this crap!  Stop coaching him like he’s a child & worrying about his feelings.  Sit his butt in the corporate box for a game or 2.  The way he’s playing he’ll have just as many shots on goal there as he has the past 12 or so games without the defensive screw ups.
Jason Mackey
2:02
I get your frustration with Phil. Know this: You're not alone. The Penguins coaches can't understand it sometimes, either. But here's the thing with Kessel: You keep playing him and expecting the breakout because ... well, it's probably going to come. At some point, he's going to snap out of this. And the Penguins don't feel it's worth it to sit him until that happens. It's also the sort of thing where Kessel -- he is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, you may have heard -- has earned the right to play through it.
Randy B
2:02
Rutherford has seemingly criticized every player this year with the exception of Crosby, Letang, and Jack Johnson. How and why is Johnson excluded from criticism?
Jason Mackey
2:05
Not quite sure, Randy. I found Rutherford's comments yesterday odd. The media was not rude when Jack signed here, nor was the question I used in my story verbatim out of line. Completely fair. ... It's funny, we heard from fans that we're not hard enough on Rutherford and others for Johnson being in the lineup. Then we heard from Rutherford that we've been too hard on the trade.
Randy B
2:05
The Pens will very likely have to move some players this summer for cap space. Who do you see being moved? My top candidate is Pearson.
Jason Mackey
2:06
I could see that happening. Maatta, too. I like Olli a lot, but there's a good chance you can backfill that position and save some dollars.
Randy B
2:06
Am I asking too many questions?
Jason Mackey
2:06
Nah, you're good.
PootieLetang58
2:06
Hey, Jason. Love your work.
Despite Shultz playing much better than I would have thought coming off his injury, I find it surprising that they put him with JJ. Seems like a mighty hill to climb for a guy coming off a broken leg. If it were possible to sit JJ, I would like to see Petterson with Shultz, and Riikola with Ruhwedel. How do you foresee us getting out of this JJ contract?
Jason Mackey
2:07
Well, they're not going to scratch Jack. You saw what Rutherford said to everyone yesterday. So I think it's useless to worry about. And frankly, until maybe Year 4 or 5, I'm not sure I see them doing anything about the contract, if then. They could dump it somewhere or buy Johnson out. Again, if they actually want to ... which I doubt.
Lineman
2:07
Hey Jason in your estimation do you sense players are more satisfied with the amount of ice time they recieve or their actual linemates they are paired with?  Maybe a moot point since Sullivan's line juggling continues. Hopefully it solidifies soon for they are running out of games.
Jason Mackey
2:08
I think more or less they're fine with it. I think Chad Ruhwedel is gonna have a tough argument saying he should be more than a third-pair defenseman, you know what I mean? Not saying he complains about that. He doesn't. But many of their guys know what they are. The only issue in that sense was Brassard.
Larry in KY
2:08
Malkin was suspended one game for swinging his stick.  Was the guy who punched him in the back of the head even penalized?  Fined?
Jason Mackey
2:08
Michael Raffl received nothing.
Mike Hennessey
2:08
What should the pens do before the trade deadline?
Jason Mackey
2:09
I would look to add a depth forward or defenseman, maybe both if you could afford it. Nothing more.
Hornqvist Fan
2:09
Jason, what is this team missing in order to seriously contend against the best teams in the league?  It just seems their desire to play a strong defensive game is missing?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
2:10
Finding a consistent desire to play a strong defensive game would be a start. ... Honestly, this team just needs to be more consistent. They can be really good one night -- best-in-the-NHL good -- but they haven't been able to repeat that sort of effort and execution more than one or two times over. That, to me, is the biggest thing to fix.
LN
2:10
what a nightmare, Hagelin to the caps so we can further regret trading him in the first place!
Jason Mackey
2:10
Yeah, I can't imagine this one is easy to stomach for Penguins fans.
Dan
2:10
Hey Jason… Couple interesting items… I read were three of the top 10 college free agents this year or from Arizona State University… Where a certain Lemieux is playing… One is a goaltender… Maybe something to keep an ion… Also keep the name Jean Gabriel Pageau in mind...Pens like him as a right handed center and PK
Jason Mackey
2:11
Thanks for the tidbits. I like Pageau, but he makes $3.1 million. Would be awful tough to make that work. Not impossible, but tough.
LN
2:11
do you think one of the reasons the Pens gave Johnson 5 years is because he cannot make above a certain dollar amount per year due to his bankruptcy issues, so the pens gave him more years even if they have to eat the last one or two years?  meaning they are getting him cheaper now than maybe they would have otherwise been able to due to his personal situation.
Jason Mackey
2:13
It's my understanding that Jack needed to make a certain dollar amount total on what he views as likely his last NHL contract. Basically the money he needs to get out of it, get back to where he was, something like that. Other teams -- Detroit and Anaheim were the main two the Penguins competed against -- got there in fewer years. The Penguins wanted less of a yearly hit and were comfortable going to five.
pauldia
2:13
So Hagelin now a Cap, and Kings retained half his salary. Pittsburgh has  retained $250,000.  So Pittsburgh has Pearson and the Capitals have Hagelin,the Kings and Pittsburgh paying Washington more then half Hagelin's salary.   Was this trade too cute by half? (pun intended)
Jason Mackey
2:13
I'm not sure I get the joke here, but yes, Hagelin is a Capital, and three teams are currently paying his salary.
guest
2:14
I am one who is rooting for Johnson, he seems like a nice guy, seems excited to be here, and you can't help but feel bad for the personal issues he has had to deal with.  I assume he is also a good locker room guy?  Sounds like an underdog that is the type of person Pittsburgher's get behind.
Jason Mackey
2:15
Yes, Jack is tremendous to deal with. Very nice guy. I also think he can be an affective player when used right. While I understand the frustration over giving a 31-year-old coming off a down year a five-year deal -- it's too long -- I don't think he's been unplayable over the past 40 games or so like some people. Beginning of the season was rough, yes, but the whole team stunk.
Sarah in PHL
2:15
Hi Jason, do you know if the team has any sort of open practices or public appearances in conjunction with the game this weekend here in Philly?
Jason Mackey
2:15
They practice at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday at 4, but I don't know if it's open to the public.
Sarah in PHL
2:16
I think one of the underrated benefits of GMJR's trades so far this year is to get a bit younger. Brass/Sheahan/Oleksiak/Hagelin all older than those who replaced them and Sprong/Petterson are around the same age. Do you  know where the Pens were at the beginning of the season versus now in terms of average age ranking in the league? Not to mention future years of team control...
Jason Mackey
2:17
Beginning of the season, they were one of the five oldest teams in the NHL. Now, they're middle of the pack.
Sarah in PHL
2:17
Happy to see that Gudas was suspended 2 games incl the Pens matchup this weekend, sort of a sigh of relief for the health of our boys with that one!
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