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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 03.14.19
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Jason Mackey
1:19
That's impressive if they can beat the Capitals -- winners of seven in a row and 14 of 19 -- with a defense that's too slow and too many odd-man rushes allowed. I think you might be a tough grader, Brian. They played well Tuesday. Washington is a good team. Caps are gonna get some chances, too.
Kevin
1:19
Any guess on when Rust will return to the line up?
Jason Mackey
1:19
My guess would be next week sometime. Probably earliest Tuesday at Carolina. Later in the trip is more likely based on how he progresses from getting back with the group, taking contact, etc.
Tea
1:21
How is brassards playing with the avs in your opinion?  Certainly I am elated with the return in Mccan! Why do you think he is excelling with the pens but brassard couldn’t?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Not well, on your first one. Although the team as a whole has struggled. Brassard has two goals and no assists in eight games. He's also a minus-6. Avalanche has lost five of those. ... I think McCann has thrived for a couple reasons. One, attitude. He's excited to be here. Wants to do whatever the team needs. That can go a long way. He's also a tremendous skater with an underrated amount of skill. That has played well with Crosby and Guentzel, especially when you consider McCann is a pretty good two-way player who can force some turnovers.
Kennywood
1:23
Your answer on last week's chat about the words players say the most- of and for sure. Can't unhear it now! Getzoff says obviously a lot too! So funny
Jason Mackey
1:25
For sure, it's a hockey thing. You obviously hear a lot of words that Mike Tomlin obviously likes to use. You also hear a lot of "moving forward" ... "in that regard" ... and stuff like "difficult to play against" ... "play the right way" ... it's a treat sometimes.
Hornqvist Fan
1:25
Jason hope you’re doing well.  The Pens seem to have found their winning formula having beaten the Bruins and Caps.  What additional tweaks to their game do you think they need to make to be more formidable?  Separately, what else can be done to get Malkin to stop taking STUPID STUPID penalties that harm the team?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
1:26
Ha. Second part first. If they had the answer to the Malkin thing, they would've applied it long ago. He is who he is. You live with it. ... Honestly, not much. Their biggest challenge at this point will be consistency. If they can play like they did against Boston and Washington over and over, this is a very good team. If Matt Murray has truly found this level for good, look out. They need to get more out of Kessel and Hornqvist, maybe Simon, too, but team-game-wise, they just need to be consistent with the type of effort and execution they've had lately.
KJ
1:27
I keep reading good things about defensive prospect Niclas Almari, any word if the Pens plan to bring him or Filip Hallander (will be 19 in June, but drafted out of Europe and under contract) over to play in WB/S next season?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:28
I would think they're getting close to that point. I'm going to check in with director of player development Scott Young this weekend, and I will make a note to ask him. Please ask me next week, and I should have a better, more complete answer for you.
Malkin_theBeast
1:28
Hello Jason! Always a pleasure to participate at your weekly chat! Great articles also! ^^
I am amazed how much Schultz is important for that team... I won't say he is better than Letang offensively, but I found Schultz makes better decision about pinching at the right moment than Letang. Also Schultz one timer is much precise and fast, this is why I would let him stay on the 1st PP unit, what your thoughts about it?
Jason Mackey
1:29
Thank you for the kind words. I like Schultz on the top unit a lot, and I would still use him there some. I'd like to see him be more aggressive shooting the puck, too. But I also think Letang has earned that spot. No. 1 with him, for now, will be getting healthy and back. When that happens, I'd put him back on the PP1, then use Schultz every so often as a changeup.
OHIO412FAN
1:30
Are the Penguins starting to round into playoff form? Pittsburgh is madly hungry for another Stanley Cup!
Jason Mackey
1:30
Gotta have something to get excited about sports-wise, right? Ha. I think so. I think they're starting to look how they should look, like one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Trick, again, is just keeping it going.
OHIO412FAN
1:30
When will Letang return? How do you feel about the current Pen’s D-pairs right now? I feel Trotman is doing a solid job. What will it look like when Tanger returns?
Jason Mackey
1:32
Not sure on Letang. Hit that a few times earlier. It's a little bit murky. ... Have loved them. Gudbranson has been a pleasant surprise. I really think he's found a nice fit here. Good balance to them. I think Trotman is probably the first to go, which would put you with 8-58 ... 74-4 ... 28-44. When Olli gets back? Not sure. I think you cross that bridge when you come to it. You guys and girls love asking who the odd-man out when everybody gets healthy, then someone inevitably gets hurt.
OHIO412FAN
1:33
Is it me, or is it Simon is just that awful? I never understand why he’s slotted to play in the top 3 lines.
Jason Mackey
1:34
I don't think he's awful, but he does have three goals in 44 games. That's tough to explain away for someone you're trying to play in the top-nine. Again, I think he could be a very good player one day. Has a lot of good attributes. But, man, sooner or later you gotta put the puck in the net.
Josh
1:34
What is the latest on the injuries to Letang, Maata, Rust, ZAR? What are the timetables for their returns at this point? Has there been any rumblings as to concerns w/ Letang not being back yet especially when he went a couple days last week not skating due to "not feeling well?" It starts to be concerning just like for Crosby's concussion issues and Letang's previous neck issues a couple years ago.
Jason Mackey
1:36
Let's do this one final time, then I'm skipping the injury questions. Letang -- yes, a little fishy that he was seemingly making progress, then got sick and spent some time away. I don't think it's in alarm-bell territory ... if he starts taking contact soon. ... Rust -- back with the team this morning, non-contact. He's getting pretty close. I'd look for him to be back on the upcoming, four-game road trip. ... ZAR -- longer-term but back before the playoffs. ... Maatta -- pretty much same deal.
Karpo
1:36
Who comes out of the lineup if/when Letang and Maatta get healthy? Jack Johnson seemed like the obvious choice for a while, but ever since he's played on his natural side he's been very effective imo.
Jason Mackey
1:37
Jack isn't coming out. Nor should he. And, geez, do you folks loving asking this question. First to go, I think, would be Trotman. Then ... maybe Gudbranson, maybe Maatta. I think you cross that bridge when you come to it.
Clementine
1:37
The Pens seem to have resurrected an effective aerial pass to clear their zone and generate offense.  What is the best way to defend against this variation of the stretch pass?
Jason Mackey
1:37
They have. They've done that a little bit more recently. Honestly, if executed perfectly, there really isn't one. But I would say making sure you're with the wide receiver in that sort of setup. Don't let anybody get behind your defense.
SteelCity
1:38
Update on JAR?
Jason Mackey
1:38
Jack Aston-Reese, Zach's long-lost cousin? ZAR is out longer-term with a lower-body injury.
BBBZ
1:38
Do you think we'll see less and less line juggling now that things are coming together for the Pens?  When Rust comes back, where do you project he'll land? It's tough to break-up the Guentzel-Crosby-McCann line when it's the top line.  Why Simon was promoted to that line for a game or so made no sense.
Jason Mackey
1:39
I would not break up the top line right now. When Rust comes back, I think they'll give him a shot with Malkin and Phil. He's clicked with those two before, and they need someone in that spot. Agree with you on the Simon promotion. I think ideally they get to a spot where Phil is going, and they can separate him and Geno. When that happens, maybe you try to get Hornqvist with either Crosby or Malkin.
Chris from DC
1:39
Has Phil come back?
Jason Mackey
1:40
I think we've definitely seen some signs.
Malkin_theBeast
1:40
By the way, how was Geno in the dressing room after the game he scores 1000 points, could you feel he was very elated?
Jason Mackey
1:40
Yeah, definitely. How could he not be? Geno was thrilled. But I also think he was thrilled that he did it at home, with everyone watching, and also now that it happened, he can move on and think about other things.
Chris from DC
1:42
It seems historically the Pens as a team have not excelled on faceoffs.  Any idea why?
Jason Mackey
1:43
Good question. One, I think faceoffs are overrated, but since 2005-06, the Penguins are at just 49.0 percent -- in the bottom fifth of the league. It might be the centers they've employed. It might be, too, that they don't really care all that much. Seriously. The top faceoff team in the NHL this season is the Flyers. The worst? The Capitals.
Jay
1:43
How much of an impact does the head coach really make on the team? When they were losing, many people were claiming that the Pens were no longer listening to/responding to Mike Sullivan and he needed to go. Now they're winning again so those voices have quieted. How much credit does the coach deserve?
Jason Mackey
1:44
I think Sullivan deserves credit and blame all the same. It's his team. Them not showing up sometimes? Some of it goes on Sullivan. Not all of it. Players need to play. But it's the environment Sullivan has created. That's good and bad. I can't give you a definitive number, but I think the coach should get equal parts blame and praise.
Christian
1:44
Hi Jason, what is McCann’s ceiling? And is there a current player you would compare him to?
Jason Mackey
1:45
Honestly, I don't know. I don't know if they know. I don't even know if he's better at wing or center. He may be a better wing. We'll see.
Pensfaninfl
1:45
Would you put matta back in lineup if he comes back healthy? I won't
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