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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 02.28.19
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Jason Mackey
12:52
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat. We'll get underway here shortly before I hit the road to Buffalo.
Randy B
1:00
Hi Jason, me again. Is Gudbranson here beyond the rest of this season (and playoffs, if they make it)? There's quite the logjam on the defensive corps going into next year. One of Maatta, Johnson, Gudbranson, Pettersson, and Riikola have got to go.
Jason Mackey
1:01
Hi Randy. I think it depends on a lot of things. First and foremost, how well he plays. Also Maatta's shoulder, if anyone will take him, etc. I agree with you, though. Lot of guys. I think they will need to make at least one move there this summer, but it's too hard right now to predict what that will be.
Randy B
1:01
Is it true that the Penguins tried to re-acquire Hagelin, but didn't realize they couldn't because they retained salary on him?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I have not heard that confirmed from the Penguins side. Only speculation from outside of it. It is a weird rule, though. If they didn't know -- not giving them a pass; they should -- they wouldn't be the only ones, trust me.
pauldia
1:02
Hey Jason,   Any thought to the P-G Sports doing a live game blog for the Penguins? Competitors do this and as a businessman,I think it could generate interest w ancillary benefits to the P-G and a lot of us enjoy the live interaction? It doesn't have to be done by yourself,just a moderator w maybe you chiming in once in a blue moon??
Jason Mackey
1:04
Hi Pauldia, I would not be opposed to it. I believe DKPittsburghSports.com and The Athletic do it. In saying that, we do things that they don't do, too. Just different business models. But I'm all for more engagement. Let me ask around on it. ... I will say this: It's a little tougher for us because we're putting out a print product. Regardless of whether anyone thinks that's a good idea in 2019, realistically, during a game, I'm formulating a running, print story that must be filed as soon as the game ends; it would be too onerous to do that and a live blog.
Randy B
1:04
Is Bjugstad the long-term third line center here? Or does McCann fill that void? To me, McCann looks better as a winger.
Jason Mackey
1:04
I would have no problem with McCann in either role. I think we know that McCann is gonna be a part of this team for sure moving forward. Still sort of evaluating on Bjugstad.
LN
1:04
Hi Jason,  thanks for attaching that line-up tweet in your 20 thoughts!  Between the game Saturday and the trade deadline drama, Pens fans needed a good laugh and that was absolutely hilarious!
Jason Mackey
1:05
Agreed. That was good stuff.
Randy B
1:05
Are Hornqvist's injuries catching up to him? He's 32 and has always played a rough style. Hopefully these last few concussions (sigh) haven't done him in.
Jason Mackey
1:05
I don't subscribe to that. He's doing everything he used to do. The puck simply isn't around the net as much when he's being buried on the third line. He has never been a huge driver of his own offense. Needs others.
LN
1:05
After the Philly outdoor game I was so mad about that loss.  what was the locker room like?
Jason Mackey
1:06
It was ... like it always is after a loss. They're not happy, but they do play 82 of these things. They're are going to losses. Bad ones to rivals, too. Nothing extreme, if that's what you're asking.
guest
1:06
Shout out to Jack Johnson who just came off 2 great games and really stepped up for the team.  I was really disappointed to hear that his tribute at Columbus was booed.  I thought Columbus fans were classier than that.
Jason Mackey
1:06
I thought it was more of a mixed reaction, but I was not in the building. Matt Vensel had that trip for us.
Hornqvist Fan
1:07
Jason, I thought GMJR had it right when he traded for Ryan Reaves.  If the league wasn’t going to police itself then the team would need to.  Crosby, Letang, Malkin & others have taken way too much abuse over the years from scumbags like Wilson, Simmons, Hartnell, etc.  The need to go after the other team’s star player is the only deterrent and that element has been missing from this team all too often. The problem with Reaves was Sullivan’s unwillingness to play him.  Funny, Reaves has more goals this year than any Penguin 4th liner.  While obviously a different player, Sullivan must find a way to seamlessly fit Gudbranson into his overall team philosophy. Your thoughts?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:07
I agree with you. They botched the Reaves deal because the coach wouldn't play him. I think Gudbranson is less of a player than Reaves ... or at least was at his future stop. But yeah, for myriad reasons I think it's important to make this thing work.
guest
1:07
Reading your recent articles that mentioned that Pens practices and the locker room are quiet and business like is troubling and seems to match their less than spirited/energetic play in some games.  I am thinking that the players are just not given a chance to feel comfortable with all the roster turnover (18 trades since last cup) and the constant line shuffling.  That cannot be a fun environment to be in and is wearing on the players.  I know they are professionals but they are also human.
Jason Mackey
1:08
I don't disagree, but that wasn't the point I was making. I'm just saying you need all personalities -- loud, quiet, funny, stoic, smart ass, upbeat. They have most of those boxes checked, but they could use someone on the outgoing/funny/goofy side.
westCoast
1:08
Both Malkin & Kessel cant play Defense & are careless with the puck. Dont you think they should not be on the same line?
Jason Mackey
1:09
No, I'd keep them together. You need to get Phil going. Best way of doing that is with Malkin. I couldn't care less about their defense if they're scoring. Need to find out how to get Phil to start scoring. And I think they're close.
Hatrick Pornqvist
1:09
I believe it was Rupp the other night on TV that compared McCann to Rust - which I think is a good comparison, but I think he has some Guetzel to his game too. What does the team think his ceiling is?
Jason Mackey
1:10
I'm not sure they know, but they do think it's high. Dude can skate. Has a good shot. Plays with some bite. I don't know if it's a combination of Rust and Guentzel; I think he's a little different than that, but he's a combination of a few things ... with a terrific attitude to boot. I don't think the team thinks he's anywhere near reaching his ceiling.
Chance
1:10
Hi Jason is there any other forwards other then Teddy Blueger that is worthy enough to be called up when needed. It seems they are thin in Wilkes Barre.
Jason Mackey
1:11
How dare you speak out against royalty like that. Nobody is as deserving as Teddy. ... Seriously, no. I don't think any of their other guys are realistic options for this season.
Randy B
1:11
After the Pens, who are some of your favorite teams/who do you want to see win the Cup?
Jason Mackey
1:12
I don't care if the Penguins win the Cup or lose. Misconception about writers there. ... Who do I think has a chance? Tampa, obviously. I think Winnipeg doing it would make for a terrific story. Vegas, too.
New fan
1:12
What did Gudbranson mean in your article about the difference in "puck support" between Vancouver and Pitt? Don't understand what that is. And should our whole team take boxing lessons?
Jason Mackey
1:12
No on the second part. He means how close his teammates are to the puck carrier and how they work as a unit -- basically having help around on offense and defense, think of it that way.
Christian
1:12
Jason, where do you see the Pens finishing? I’m sure you can write an entire piece on this but I wanted to get your thoughts.
Jason Mackey
1:13
I see them finishing third in the Metro and playing either the Islanders or Capitals in the first round. I like the Blue Jackets to finish fourth.
Christian
1:13
Jason, no pens fan is going to want to see the caps go back to back. Where do you think they finish?
Jason Mackey
1:13
I don't see how they get past Tampa in the East.
Cosmo K
1:14
What is the estimated profit we should expect from the trade for Gudbranson? What is his Pens #? Thanks
Jason Mackey
1:14
*Estimated Prophet
Gudbranson will wear No. 44.
JoshK
1:14
Did you notice how on that last powerplay, the Pens trying to play it safe with 2 D-men, and Rikkola takes a bad gamble along the near boards on a bouncing puck, leads to odd-man break the other way and almost a shorthanded goal for Atkinson with less than 2 min to play. That was ridiculous!! Where is the hockey IQ? Where is the hockey sense not to gamble in that situation?? I lost confidence in Rikkola after that play. What is he doing? I didn't see anyone comment on that play. Was wondering if you thought the same.
Jason Mackey
1:15
I saw what you're talking about, but I don't think making a mistake -- which Riikola did -- is a total damnation of his hockey IQ. He screwed up. He wasn't alone.
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