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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 02.28.19
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DanMusic
1:42
Please rank who you'd prefer to play in first round - Wash, NYI, CLB. I say 1) NYI 2) CLB 3) WASH. Even though Pens have CLBs and Bobrovsky's number, they have some really good players, scarier than the islanders, IMO.
Jason Mackey
1:42
1. CBJ
2. NYI
3. WSH
DanMusic
1:42
Was watching highlights of the Stanley Cup runs. What a player 81 was. Is that the same Phil Kessel we are watching today? If he wasn't wearing the same number, I wouldn't believe it. Oh Phil, what has happened? It's not even just the lack of scoring, it's that he's never even dangerous anymore. Is that Phil gone forever?
Jason Mackey
1:43
I don't think so. The Phil Kessel I've watched -- and have actually talked to, if you can believe that -- is struggling mightily with his confidence right now. I think it has gotten better lately, though. He's been more decisive in shooting the puck, which is what they need from him.
Jerry G
1:43
I want to say to my sisters and brothers, keep the faith.
Jason Mackey
1:43
Thanks, Jer.
Cosmo K
1:43
I hope the Pens playoff chances do not fade away as a result of the recent rash of injuries, I was almost expecting a forward or two (maybe 7) logging some D man shifts. Would that ever happen? Kudos to the four who stepped up big in the rain!
Jason Mackey
1:44
Things haven't gotten that bad, although I think it could be Cullen if it happens. Hopefully he wouldn't be old and in the way.
Randy B
1:44
Have you heard anything from the Pens brass regarding Bellerive or Angello? And how up-to-date are you on the WBS Pens?
Jason Mackey
1:45
Pretty up to date. They really like Angello. Lafferty, too. As I understand it, they're both gonna get a solid shot to make the NHL club next season. Have heard less on Bellerive, just because I think he's a little further down, but they certainly like him.
Albert
1:45
Hey Jason, don't know if you've got this question yet, but do you think ZAR is a good fit on Geno's line? LOVE these chats btw, thanks for doing them.
Jason Mackey
1:45
Thanks, Albert. My pleasure. I've loved the ZAR fit on that line. I think he does a lot of the Hagelin-type stuff -- outside of the skating, of course -- on that line that has helped Malkin and Kessel.
Mrs blueger
1:45
Jason. Be a good boy and help a mother out. Where are Simons pics and who are in them ?
Jason Mackey
1:46
A question from Teddy Blueger's mom. Never thought I'd see the day.
Mike in MD
1:46
Do you think the Pens are really pleased with what McCann has?  I am not sure pleasantly surprised is the right word, as they did trade for him, but do you think he is even more than they hoped?
Jason Mackey
1:46
They're really pleased, Mike. More than they had hoped? Tough to say because they really, really wanted him. He was likely prioritized over Bjugstad, if you can believe. But they've been incredibly happy with how he's played.
ToddHH
1:47
Jason.  Would it have been possible to unload Pearson for a pick and just move up Trotman? Wouldn’t that have been a better long term move that taking on another bad contract ?
Jason Mackey
1:48
My guess is no, because if they could, I think GMJR would've done it. I think people are overestimating Tanner Pearson's value here. Nothing against him, but opposing teams aren't foreign to the idea that he wasn't doing a blessed thing. Why are they gonna take on that contract for a couple more years for a draft pick?
ToddHH
1:48
Jason. Where are u going to be tomorrow around lunch time ? I have an egg to throw at you for that positive JJ tweet
Jason Mackey
1:48
Ha. I'll be writing at KeyBank Center. Thankfully protected by security. I'm an idiot, though, I'm aware.
Larry in KY
1:48
It seems the Pens are always on the wrong end of the  dirty hits these days.  The most recent four injuries are all questionable hits.  Why won't the league protect the players?
Jason Mackey
1:48
This is the NHL, Larry. That ship sailed a long, long time ago.
Cosmo K
1:49
Do you think 44 will see PK time? Or is he too slow, kind of like a terrapin (station)? Thanks for the great chats and coverage!
Jason Mackey
1:50
Thanks, Cosmo. He might see some, just because of the bodies they have (or don't) back there. Could wind up a Saint of Circumstance.
ToddHH
1:50
Jason. U didn’t want to answer this last week and I get that , but what would the ramifications be if the Pens miss the playoffs ? Would moving kessel out be the only likely move ? Does JR get his seat warmed?
Jason Mackey
1:51
I don't think I ever got to that question, Todd. I would not have actively ignored it. Or shied away from it. Yes, I think if they don't make the playoffs Kessel will be traded. Heck, I think there's a good chance he will be traded even if they make it. ... I think they'll probably try to move a D, extend Murray ... the rest is kinda tough to say at this point.
guest
1:51
Kudos to you Jason for getting that Kessel interview after the game.  Did it seem like he needed someone to talk to and get stuff off of his chest?   Kessel came across like talking about his struggles would help him get over it.
Jason Mackey
1:52
Not even gonna try to get inside Phil's head. He was just sitting there, the crowd swarmed Crosby and I figured what the heck. Kessel generally isn't a fan of talking after games, but he couldn't have been more gracious about the whole thing. I think he knows he hasn't been playing well, it bothers him, and I think he probably figures the fans deserve an explanation. He handled it extremely well. Kudos to him.
Normie
1:54
Hi Jason.  Excellent piece on Dan Potash.  It's nice every once in a while to hear about the periphery surrounding the on ice product.   Do you have a feel for which Penguin team we will see over the run up to the Stanley Cup Tournament?  The .500 Penguins of the 1st and 3rd quarters or some version of the .762 Penguins we saw in the 2cnd quarter?   .762 is going to be tough, but I mean a team that
Jason Mackey
1:54
Thanks, Normie. Honestly, people might think I'm nuts, but I think this team has a very good chance of getting hot, kicking it into gear and making a pretty nice little run here.
Cosmo K
1:55
You're very clever Jason, and nobody wants to be old and in the way - headed toward the Promised Land...
Jason Mackey
1:55
Thanks, Cosmo.
Jimmie
1:55
Hey Jason.  What do you think of McCann's possibilities?  Those two goals were not flukey or gimmies.
Jason Mackey
1:56
I think he's been terrific. I think he could be a Nick Bonino-like center who takes what he's given here and turns it into big money. Maybe even like a Pageau type. Skating. Decent offense. Pain the butt to play against. Good in a few different situations.
Shaun
1:56
Not to beat a dead horse here, but how do we know what type of player Blueger is yet?  Did anyone really see Guentzel becoming a 30 goal guy when he first cracked the lineup?  I don't like deciding what type a player a guy is before he's gotten real ice time.  I've seen a guy who plays fast, has a good shot, and seems to have good instincts.  He scored 3 goals in his first NHL stint on the 4th line.  Let's see him play for awhile before we decide he can't be a Guentzel type.
Jason Mackey
1:57
Because Guentzel played with top-six guys. He concentrating on scoring. He put up a ton of goals in the minors. Blueger was used differently. He's not as skilled. He projects as a center and excels on the PK. I get your over-arching point, but I think it's tough to put Blueger in the same lane as Guentzel. That's what I was trying to say.
Clark from Virginia
1:57
I notice that you and the other sportswriters post articles at all times of the day.  Do you have deadlines like newspapers used to or do you post when you finish an article?  I imagine the digital age has changed the way things are done.
Jason Mackey
1:58
Yeah, we have nightly deadlines. Or I do, anyway. But as far as tweeting things, we do it all the time. In-season, I work off and on pretty much the entire day. The job is a huge part of my life, and thankfully I have a supportive wife who's cool with that. She pushes me as much as my bosses, sometimes more. But in-season, again, we go around the clock ... then have to make sure we file by deadline at night, off of games.
Guest
1:58
Why does a team who has 13 players with a ring and a core group that has won 3 cups need a guy because he is "good on the room"?  If they need someone to bring some laughs, couldn't you hire a jester or something who doesn't count for $4M against the cap for the next 2+ years?
Jason Mackey
1:59
Because these guys are human. Have you ever played a team sport? There are certain elements of putting a group of athletes together, male or female, that are important. You don't just throw a bunch of people in a room, say "Here go do it" and expect no issues. The Penguins are trying to find the right mix.
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