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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 03.14.19
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Jason Mackey
1:46
It depends on whether he comes back before Kris Letang.
Peter Kadar
1:46
Do writers need to avoid being the least bit critical of players because you need to be liked by them and their peers in order to have access and to make your job more seamless?
Jason Mackey
1:49
Not at all. And warning: This answer might be long. One, I'm a beat writer, not a columnist, although I would like to eventually become the latter. But if I criticize a player, it better be fact-based. Two, players know the drill. They're looking for professionalism. There's usually a respect for beat writers -- and the Pens are great about this -- because we're there every damn day just like them. We write the good and the bad. We're just doing our jobs, not trying to stir up crap. But if someone hasn't scored in 16 games and I say he needs to score, guess what? The player already knows that. If I write a story about how Sidney Crosby is a minus-27 and giving up all kinds of stuff (obviously he's not) he knows people are going to be critical, and as long as I'm professional about it, we're gonna have no issue. It's when you start making stuff up or you're wrong that you run into issues. That's why it's important to report stuff out, to rely on sources, to verify, etc. I've written stuff over the years about
1:50
getting Sheahan, Johnson, trading Sprong ... probably a few others. If I'm wrong, you guys and girls won't believe me. Nor should you. Players also hate when you're wrong. So, to sum it up, be accurate and professional, and there shouldn't be any issues. They know it's my job to cover the team objectively.
Hatrick Pornqvist
1:51
Everyone is saying that Sid & Ovie postgame was just some friendly banter, mutual respect... you don't believe that do you? What's the real story - would Sid tell you what was REALLY said?
Jason Mackey
1:52
He wouldn't tell me on the record, I'm sure. Players like to keep what's said on the ice on the ice. But honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if it was friendly banter. Sid's hardly a maniac. He's not going to go up to someone and scream in their ear.
Manhattan Yinzer
1:52
Jason, of the teams in the hunt for playoffs, who do you think finishes on the outside?  (I'm thinking Montreal is odd man out.)  And when the playoffs begin, assuming everyone is healthy for the Pens, who do you think watches from the press box?
Jason Mackey
1:54
That second question! ... I agree, I think Montreal misses of the groups currently competing. They look the most flawed. ... Second part: Trotman would be first out on D, then it could depend on performance or opponent. Blandisi first out at forward. When ZAR comes back, I would say either Blueger or Wilson.
JohnAl
1:54
Re: KJ asking on the two Euros. Hallander already signed his ELC and will be free to come over next season when his SHL contract expires. Almari's Finnish contract expires this summer too and he's eager to come over (and was very impressive in his ATO games with WBS last year).
Jason Mackey
1:54
Right. As I said, I would imagine they'll be over, but I'll check. Thanks for the help.
87 > 8
1:55
Jason love reading your work. Where do you rank Guentzel in relation to other LW's in the league?
Jason Mackey
1:57
That's a hard one. It's a competitive field. I have to give Ovechkin and Gaudreau the edge. Marchand has nearly 20 more points. Tough to put Guentzel ahead of Marchand. Panarin? That might be tough, too. I don't know if I'd put too many more in front of him, though.
JBJBJB
1:58
Jason, do you have any information about the defenseman the Pens took in the second round a couple of years ago, Zachary Lauzon, I think.  I remember hearing he suffered a shoulder injury in juniors but then nothing more.  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:59
I don't believe he's playing anywhere this season. I will check with Scott Young when we talk. Ask next week. Thanks.
pauldia
1:59
To the best of your knowledge is Dominik Simon related to Mike Sullivan?
Jason Mackey
1:59
Good one. No, they are not related. Although you would think they are based on how Simon has been used.
Andy
1:59
What picks do the PENS have this for this years draft?  Are they targeting anyone in particular?  Goalie, Defence?  Can you provide an update on Letang?  lol...  Kidding!
Jason Mackey
2:02
Thank you. Not many. I believe just a first, fourth, five and two sevenths. ... And no, I don't think they have one specific need. Probably best player available for the first pick.
Mike
2:02
We need more Vladimir and Natalya in our life
Jason Mackey
2:02
Obviously.
Peter Kadar
2:02
Do you see more potential in Simon -- maybe he's trying to do things that came easier at the Junior level and that's not working at this level so he needs to play within himself before his role is expanded?
Jason Mackey
2:03
Oh, absolutely. I don't think he's a bad hockey player. I just don't understand the insistence on deploying him in a prominent role. I think there's definitely plenty of skill there. Just needs to score more.
Jamie
2:03
Do you the Guentzel has replaced Kunitz as 87's Favorite.
Jason Mackey
2:03
Yes I do. And I don't think that's recent.
Popa
2:03
If you dropped the Canadian Olympic team into the NHL playoffs, what odds would you give them to win the Cup given the randomness, etc. of playoff hockey?
Jason Mackey
2:04
Ha. Interesting question. Ultimately, I think they would win. But I don't think it would be a cakewalk because of the differences in playoff hockey.
Dan
2:04
do you think the strategy to sit back against caps pp is the right strategy? I always thought pp units have more trouble against very aggressive penalty killing teams, that force quick decisions and passes and pounce on loose pucks. I think the caps, esp backstrom, was given too much space and time.
Jason Mackey
2:05
I don't think their strategy was or ever is to sit back. It's about to find the right times to pressure. I was fine with what they did against Washington, honestly. That's a really good power play. It's gonna get some looks.
Domenic
2:05
Was it just me or did the caps have way too much room in the offensive zone the other night? Skaters coming unimpeded, wide open shots, was that by design or breakdowns?
Jason Mackey
2:06
This is like the fifth question saying "Is it just me or did the Penguins do _______ wrong against the Capitals." They beat a team on a seven-game winning streak. One of the best in the whole league. I'm pretty sure they did a couple things right.
pauldia
2:06
Jason this is a little off topic but I think a competitive advantage can be offered with "lighter than air" inserts sewn into pants near  ankles and knees for shock absorption. Imagine being able on the PK to confidently block shots w/o fear of injury.
Jason Mackey
2:07
They do use skate guards. I don't think the toughness of the equipment is something that's preventing players from blocking shots, especially not if it's "lighter than air." What could that possible protect against?
Crystal Ball
2:07
I think the final standings will end up:   1) Capitals   2) Islanders  3) Penguins  4) Blue Jackets   5) Hurricanes  with both wildcards coming out of the Metro.   What say you?
Jason Mackey
2:07
I agree with 100 percent of that. And I'm sort of excited and sort of not to go to Long Island for a first-round playoff series.
Peter Kadar
2:07
COOL -- Thanks for the Candid answer -- You're going places kid. :)
Jason Mackey
2:08
Going to dinner with my wife and kids later, I know that much. Went for a run earlier.
One Hundred Ways
2:08
Will the Pens get to 100 points this season?
Jason Mackey
2:10
I think so, yeah. What, 12 games left? 85 points. So, they need eight wins? I like the way they're playing. I think they get to 100.
Andy
2:10
Hagelin an option this offseason if the price is right??? I’m wondering this since they had a deal in place this deadline but they couldn’t do it due to the retained money. Also, When will we see Letang Maatta and Rust. Sooner???or later???
Jason Mackey
2:11
Answered the injury stuff 47 times earlier. Re: Hagelin. I don't think so. He's gonna get more than they can pay, and I don't know why he would take a discount to come here. Especially if he keeps helping the Capitals. He's really proving his value right now with the impact he's had.
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