JotCast | Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 04.04.19

Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 04.04.19

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Guest

1:27

Be honest with me. Is this Olli’s last season as a penguin?

Jason Mackey

1:27

I think it's possible. Depends on return. Jim will move a defenseman this summer. He has to. It depends on who other teams want. Maatta is someone he'll likely shop.

DJ 9 in

1:27

1st round matchup, Pens in 5. What say you buddy pal?

Jason Mackey

1:28

I think Pens in six. Islanders aren't going down that easy. If it's Washington, I think it'll go seven.

Gene

1:28

Hi Jason, i love hearing your thoughts on so many issues. I've followed your career for a long time and let's just say i've been impressed. My people will be in touch

Jason Mackey

1:28

Thanks, Gene. Hopefully this is Collier.

Genie In A Bottle

1:28

I saw you at the Kiss concert, you looked to be enjoying yourself. What'd you think of the show?

Jason Mackey

1:28

I was not at the Kiss concert, sorry. Another goofy-looking tall guy.

Alex

1:30

From all the analytics pages I've seen, Justin Schultz CF% is always in the high 50s when paired with any other defenseman other than Jack Johnson. With Johnson, it's always sub 40s. Effectively muting his offensive capabilities. Does the analytics department of the Pens not give any kind of nudge about this? Because I contribute the pairing "playing well together" to them being the top 2 defenseman on the team in terms of on ice save %.

Jason Mackey

1:31

Schultz's CF% is 44.64 with Jack Johnson and 44.95 without him. I don't think that's enough to prove your point, sorry.

Guest

1:31

What do the d-pairings look like come playoff time? Everyone’s really earned their spots, hard to imagine anyone being benched.

Jason Mackey

1:32

When everyone is healthy ... two points. My guess would be Dumoulin-Letang ... Johnson-Schultz ... Maatta or Gudbranson with Pettersson.

Flipper

1:32

I like having McCann and Rust in the top six. Can you explain Sullivan's preference to have Rust work on his off-wing on the Malkin line and Guentzel on his off-wing on the Crosby line? Why not keep Rust at the right wing on Crosby's line and use McCann on the left on Malkin's?

Jason Mackey

1:32

I think he's looking for a little bit more out of Crosby's line, and McCann did that. Meanwhile, they need someone to create turnovers and backcheck with Malkin and Kessel. I think McCann and Rust -- regardless of handedness -- fill those roles.

guest

1:33

do you have a favorite sid and geno anecdote?

Jason Mackey

1:34

Detroit a couple years ago. Actually at the Joe. The two of them there laughing at Geno's tattoos. I can't even remember what else. Geno making fun of Sid. It's absolutely hilarious. ... Oh, and Vancouver a few years ago. I did a one-on-one with Malkin. Sid gave him crap because that was all Malkin did interview-wise for awhile, wishing he could talk for five minutes and be done. Malkin shot back something about Sid can do that if he does the interview in another language. Just hearing the of them bicker -- in a completely great way; they get along -- cracks me up.

Kid A

1:34

Do you consider yourself objective when it comes to writing about the Penguins, and, specifically, Jim Rutherford?

Jason Mackey

1:35

Yes. But I'm sure the direction you're taking this is that you're going to say I'm not, right?

Jerome

1:35

My mom says television is ruining my life and i will grow up to be a worthless loser if i keep living the way i do. I can only watch 1 game the next week, what game should i watch?

Jason Mackey

1:36

Moderation, Jerome. Game 1 Round 1 for the Penguins sounds like a good pick, no?

1:36

Mackey. What's your level of confidence that the Penguins make the play-offs? If they do get there, why should fans feel confident that this team is going to make a run deep into the play-offs?

Jason Mackey

1:36

They're going to win tonight. I have no issue there. I think they'll make it to the second round, and I think they can make it further. But I think the second round is gonna be a big-time battle with Washington.

guest

1:36

Letangs comments about he didn't feel right after coming back for those 3 games, that worries me that he might be physically fine but mentally might be worried about his neck.

Jason Mackey

1:37

I don't think you're wrong. I think physically he's not 100 percent. Been saying that I think this is something that might persist with him.

1:37

This isn't penguins related but do you think McDavid finishes his contract in Edmonton. Watching his interviews I've never felt so bad for a hockey player.

Jason Mackey

1:37

I don't. I'm glad you can hear his interviews, too. Dude whispers. Seriously, I've been standing right next to him and can barely here. "Bit of a soft talker."

Raine

1:37

Why was Sully so hellbent on keeping McCann off Sid’s line the past few games?

Jason Mackey

1:38

He's been trying 15 different things. I'm not sure I'm going to pick one thing and bash it.

1:38

Fit Letang with some neck protection like Urlacher wears and let him go. Hold your breath the first time he gets smashed into the boards. Will he hear the footsteps coming?

Jason Mackey

1:38

Maybe get him a neck roll like Joe Mullen used to wear.

Flipper

1:38

Did GMJR and Cullen really think Cullen would play the entire regular season when he was signed? I recall Cullen being hurt towards the end of the regular season of the Pens' last successful Stanley Cup run. He mentioned that time off was beneficial once the playoffs started. Might BB Sullivan have been wise to spell Cullen more with another center (Blueger) this year?

Jason Mackey

1:39

I don't think so. And yes, they planned on him playing the whole year. Cullen has played some of his best hockey recently. You can criticize him if you want -- although you might wanna point out he's been playing with Joseph Blandisi, Adam Johnson and Garrett Wilson -- but I don't think saying he's been tired or needs rest is fair. Cullen has been perfectly fine, honestly.

Guest

1:39

From a hockey fan (not pens fan) perspective, who you got in the finals?

Jason Mackey

1:40

I'm not a Pens fan, so that's good. I would go, at this point, Winnipeg and Tampa.

1:40

We celebrated Hot Dog Day at work for the Pirates Home Opener this past Monday. What do you like on your hot dog? Would you take your family to the park for a game this season?

Jason Mackey

1:41

I would and I did -- last night, for Buc Nite. It was great. I got two to start: ketchup, mustard and relish and ketchup, mustard and onion. Also a big chili dog fan.

guest

1:41

I think the thing that gives me the most hope for the post season is Murray's play. He just seems in the zone and playing so confident right now. and you can tell the team thinks he is going to stop everything

Jason Mackey

1:41

Would agree with that. Murray has been very good. Might be the biggest X-factor when we talk about their Cup chances.

Guest

1:41

We all know regardless of the outcome this post season, cap space has to be cleared out. Who’s trade bait this summer?

Jason Mackey

1:41

I think GMJR will move a D, likely Maatta or Gudbranson.

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