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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 03.28.19
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Jason Mackey
1:02
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat. Let's do this.
Ericm1212
1:02
I hear rumbles letang is out for the year?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I have not heard that. I've heard he is dealing with something that keeps creeping up on him. Believe it's the neck, although I don't know if that's specifically related to what he dealt with before. I'm also not a doctor. Much of what I've heard involves optimism that this will go away and things will improve in time for the playoffs.
Michael
1:03
When do you see Malkin playing again?
Jason Mackey
1:04
My understanding is they expect him to be back for Game 1 of the first round.
jwheaney
1:04
Please provide your assessment of Ollie Maataa regarding his speed, skill, toughness, and overall hockey IQ...Thanks!!!
Jason Mackey
1:06
I like Olli's game. I don't know about speed, skill or toughness, but he's definitely smart. He cares, too. He's a good person and works at it. Olli is at his best when he's not noticeable, when he's playing positional hockey, making a good first pass and making smart plays with his stick. By nature, he isn't fancy. But he has been extremely reliable. That said, if Letang comes back, I'm sure to see if he fits because they've been better with everyone on their natural side, and I'm not sure they're ready to yank Johnson or Pettersson out. We'll see.
guest
1:06
hi jason, sid’s currently six points away from 100 with five games left. will he hit that, especially as he hasn’t made much of a mark on the scoresheet the past few games - which to me doesn’t discount the effort he makes or how much he still helps drives the game it amazed me a little to see pens fans criticising so harshly his lack of points recently, considering how he has carried this team for most of the season. what are your thoughts on these slow past few games though? is something up? and despite his lack of points, what is sid doing that the scoresheet doesn’t show?
Jason Mackey
1:07
There are people criticizing Sid right now? I think they need to chill out. My goodness. I think he'll get to 100. I think he actually has a decent shot at being a Selke/Hart finalist, too. Have zero concern these past few games.
Brian
1:07
If you could play any major sport what would it be, position & franchise.
Jason Mackey
1:09
I guess I'm going to say baseball for the Pirates, although hear me out. I swear I'm not insane. I love baseball. As fun as it is to cover hockey, there's just a different feeling I get when it comes to baseball. And, yes, the Pirates can be frustrating. But it's still home. I couldn't not give it a shot.
Big game
1:09
Both eastern and western — what are the playoff match ups?
Jason Mackey
1:10
I think there's much to be decided, Big Game. But my pick in the West could be -- as of now -- San Jose and Vegas. In the East, I'll go with Toronto and Boston. Those are probably my safest options. If Penguins-Capitals happens in the opening round, maybe that.
Joe
1:10
Should we be worried about letang? Do you think he will be back for playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Yeah, I think it's fair to be concerned at this point. ... I think he'll be back for the playoffs, but I have a tough time thinking he's going to be 100 percent ... or at least no longer dealing with this current thing. Feels like it might be kind of a lingering issue the rest of the way.
BGB
1:11
Seeing the avs are doing well.. and so is brassard.. why is he good there and wasn’t here
Jason Mackey
1:12
Haven't watched a ton, but my guess would be role. He gets top-six minutes. He's counted upon to score. He wasn't here, and he didn't know how to contribute other ways.
cracker jack
1:18
the length of time Kessel has gone without an even-strength goal is mind boggling, but is it mitigated by the fact that he still sets up plenty of goals. Going into the playoffs, do we care how many goals he scores or how many his line scores?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I hear what you're saying, and I agree with some of it. Kessel is a very good setup man, can still help the power play, etc. But, geez, he makes $6.8 million (from the Penguins) and doesn't have an even-strength goal in 27 games. That's not picking on Kessel. That just can't happen. In a cap league, you have to have your dollars producing.
Joe
1:20
What team do you think would be the best first round playoff matchup for the pens?
Jason Mackey
1:21
I'd probably go with Columbus, just based on history. But I also think the Hurricanes would be a good one. Given the Penguins playoff success -- winning nine of their past 10 series -- versus Carolina being new to the whole thing, I like the Penguins' chances.
william
1:21
Hey how far do you see the pens going into the playoffs or can they reach the finals or do you think they have a strong defence in order to make that Extremely high intencedy push to it
Jason Mackey
1:21
I think they can reach the finals. I see them realistically going to the seventh game of the second round, against Washington. From there, I think it's basically a coin flip. Whoever is getting the bounces, that sort of thing. Could go either way. I can't pick them to get past Tampa at this point.
badger bob
1:22
the reason carolina scares me more than the islanders is because they play faster and get many pucks to the net, and although he's been very good, Murray has a tendency to give up bad goals, and that risk goes up with high volume.What do u think?
Jason Mackey
1:24
In his career against the Hurricanes, Murray is 6-3-1 with a 1.87 GAA and .943 SV%. I don't know if I agree with your assessment of how he plays against Carolina.
Christian
1:24
Hi Jason, what’s your advice for out of towners trying to go to a pens playoff game? Especially since the NHL is late putting the schedule out and there’s often random 2 days off in between games?
Jason Mackey
1:25
I would make sure to get into town whenever the team is here and has a game scheduled. I don't know what else advice I can provide. There's a lot of teams and a lot of possibilities and, yes, the schedules come out late. (Imagine having to book travel round-to-round as we do.) Have to be flexible.
Tanger!
1:25
What was your favorite moment from this year?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Going to Pecan Lodge with Bourque in Dallas was awesome. Also loved my trip to Haight-Ashbury in January. Saw a couple of good friends in my two trips to Raleigh. Oh, you wanted hockey ones? Ha.
1:27
Cullen's 1,500th was cool, same with 1,000 for Malkin. A lot of the wins blend together, honestly, since it doesn't matter whether the Penguins win or lose. Bjugstad and McCann's first game was neat because it provided such a unique story to tell.
william
1:27
I think this team can go along way deep into the playoffs this year
Jason Mackey
1:27
I don't disagree with you.
Clementine
1:27
When you draft long-form pieces, particularly in the offseason, who makes arrangements for player interviews, the team or you directly with the player?  I recall you spent some time up at Cullen's house and was wondering how that meeting arose. I guess you don't ring the doorbell and ask if he has some time.
Jason Mackey
1:29
Ha. No, I didn't. Although with Cullen, it may work. It usually depends on the player and relationship. With Cullen, it was easy because there was a relationship there. With Murray, that was a little different because the relationship had not been established as much (it is now), and that went through the team. But yes, I definitely always talk first about what they're OK with, what their expectations are, what mine would be (but obviously deferring to them), etc.
Christian
1:29
Jason, from your 20 thoughts GM JR brought up the media’s opinions of Gudbranson and Johnson when they first arrived here. Why is he so bothered by this? He’s been in this league long enough to know that the media’s job is to be fair.
Jason Mackey
1:30
Jim is entitled to think however he wants, and I love that he speaks honestly. My argument would be that the local media has not been harsh on either signing. Maybe national guys/girls. Maybe the analytics community. But if we're talking about me, Yohe, Bombulie or Dejan ... have we been overly critical of these deals? I don't think so. Speaking only for myself, I've heard more from readers telling me I haven't been critical enough.
badger bob
1:31
do u prefer McCann on Rust with Sid and Guentzel? does it depend on which is better with Kessel?
Jason Mackey
1:31
Yeah, I think it depends who's better on that second line. I like them both, honestly. Although I think I might go Rust, at least right now, because it seems more comfortable and effective on his natural side.
JV
1:32
Jason, in your time covering the Penguins, which players and coaches have given the most insightful responses?  (i.e. not the canned “taking it one game at a time” type of answer).  I’d vote Ben Lovejoy as one such player. What others would you say?
Jason Mackey
1:33
Yes, Lovejoy was great. Ian Cole was good. Matt Cullen is another who will provide actual insight. Matt Murray can be tremendous -- when he wants to be. Kris Letang, too. Jared McCann and Nick Bjugstad are also very easy to deal with from a media perspective, and Zach Aston-Reese has a lot of potential. These are all guys who will think about your questions and provide honest responses. I love dealing with Crosby, too, because he's incredibly nice. But he usually doesn't want to say too much. Oh, Malkin, too. When he talks, it's usually very good.
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