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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 04.19.19
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Jason Mackey
12:18
What's up everybody? Welcome to my weekly chat. Last one of the year. Leave your questions here. Gonna grab some lunch, and I'll be back to answer them at 1:15 p.m., after my weekly hit with Cook & Joe on the Fan.
1:20
Alright folks, let's do this ...
Ryan
1:23
Do you think Calen Addison will be NHL ready next year? And if so, who would need to be moved to make room for him?
Jason Mackey
1:23
I don't think he's going to be NHL ready for next season, so the second part is moot. I think they would like him to spend at least a season in the AHL refining his game.
Noah
1:23
Who is the most likely player to go this summer?
Jason Mackey
1:23
If I had to pick one, I'd say Phil.
Rick
1:24
The little Pens missed playoffs for first time in 17 years and still have no contact to renew in Wilkes-Barre.  Did the organization neglect it’s farm team and are the little pens on the move?
Jason Mackey
1:25
I don't know they neglected their farm team, one. The NHL club takes priority, and the edict there is to win now; that often hurts the AHL team. As for a contract, I'm not in Wilkes-Barre, obviously, but I've heard nothing in Pittsburgh to indicate that the organization is looking to go in a different direction.
Jeff from south side
1:25
Jason great season chats. Thank you! Do you believe GMJR can actually turn the roster into what it needs to go deep into playoffs? Speed, youth & hungry gamers. With the cap as tight as it is?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Hi Jeff. I don't think cap space is a huge issue, honestly. Jim knows he needs to part with a few key pieces -- Phil, a defenseman, maybe more. If he can do that, he can actually open up a decent amount of cap space to do what he wants to. Does he make the right moves? You'd hope so, right? That's up in the air, but I think he will have the opportunity to do it.
Cole Wight
1:26
Hey Jason! Do you think the Pens will take a look at signing Skinner in Free Agency this year, also maybe bringing back Hagelin at a lower cap hit? Pens need to get back to that speed and skill game.
Jason Mackey
1:27
Hi Cole, given what Hagelin has accomplished and what he has done in Washington, I have a tough time seeing him as anything near affordable for the Penguins. Plus, he's not exactly young. My understand for the Penguins is they'd like to build around some young and hungry players. They're OK spending the money, but I don't think they want to do it for someone in their 30s.
And no, I can't imagine Skinner would be an option for them.
Carmen
1:27
When GMJR states that some players are satisfied with their cups and no longer have the hunger for another, who do you think he is speaking about?
Jason Mackey
1:28
My interpretation of that was Malkin, Kessel and Letang. Eleven two-time Cup winners. Can't imagine he's talking about guys in their 20s, plus you can't tell me that Olli Maatta is complacency and that cost the Penguins.
Jeff from south side
1:28
Since wilkes-Barre is so depleted of talent. Missing calder cup playoffs for first time in 17 years. Can you see Big Jim seeking picks for whoever he may deal or do you think the win now get all the help you can to win now is still in play??
Jason Mackey
1:30
With what Jim is peddling -- meaning Phil -- I think the victory is going to be opening the cap space, not necessarily the return. Have been told already by a couple people that it's gonna be tough to move Phil. I think Jim can do it, but I would temper your expectations relative to a return. I think Jim would like to restock some, but he also has to be realistic when it comes to what people are willing to give up.
Frank Black
1:30
All the talk about Malkin being a turnover machine, why didn’t anyone mention Sid had the worst +/-, of the postseason. Since many in the local media used the +/- metric against Geno during the regular season (and they were correct), why not bring this up for Mr Selke?
Jason Mackey
1:30
Because I think plus/minus is garbage when applied to such a small sample size. Over the course of a full season, it says a lot more about a player.
Josh
1:30
Why do reporters not ask Jack Johnson about his mistakes? Does it have to do with Rutherford being so defensive about him?
Jason Mackey
1:31
If you're talking about yesterday for locker cleanout, he was not available.
Jeff from south side
1:31
Since penguins have their own 1st round pick for the 1st time in what seems a decade who could you See GMJR targeting? Forward, Defense or Netminder??
Jason Mackey
1:32
They need talent, period. I see Rutherford going best player available.
Jeff from south side
1:32
Could you actually see them parting with Letang?? He wont fetch much id assume. With his age, salary & injury history what could he realistically expect in return??
Jason Mackey
1:33
It depends on whether he's willing to adapt and play less "high-risk." The coach and GM used that term a lot yesterday, and I think they did it for a reason. Letang doesn't need to be safe as death or anything like that, but he needs to pick his spots better. If he's unwilling to do that, then I think they would consider it. But to answer your question, no, I don't think it's likely that Letang gets traded this summer.
Casey
1:33
Is there any credence to Sully getting too comfortable with his players? I remember him coming in hot, barking at every player that looked at a ref the wrong way, getting in every player's face (star or not) if they weren't sticking to the system. I do suppose it's natural to want to trust them - I mean, they won two Cups together - but do you think we'll see him double-down on accountability this upcoming year? Too often this team just didn't look like a team.
Jason Mackey
1:35
You can criticize plenty with Sullivan -- the Simon thing, constant shuffling, a message that didn't seem to get through in the postseason -- but I would really have to disagree with him getting too comfortable. Sullivan is not comfortable with anything, trust me. He's not a player's coach. If anything, he might be on the harsh side of things. ... As for the bench thing, I do think he could tighten some of that up, but it's also incumbent on players to sooner or later just zip it.
Kenny Bania
1:35
Do you know if the Pens plan to re-sign Ethan Prow?  He's a Group 6 UFA this summer, but finally had a breakthrough season.  He's also their only in-house option on defense and a coveted righty.
Jason Mackey
1:36
I have a tough time seeing them allow Prow to get away after the season he just had.
Mark Downsyn
1:37
What did you have for lunch?
Jason Mackey
1:37
Ramen noodles. Fancy, I know.
Guest
1:37
Are you surprised the season ended the way it did?
Jason Mackey
1:37
I am. I thought they would at least make it to the second round and play the Capitals. Did not see this coming at all.
BigAl
1:38
Are you going anywhere on vacation? Will you bring extra underwear?
Jason Mackey
1:38
We're going to take several small trips, plus one big one that's still TBD. Thinking either Aspen, Colo. or Virginia Beach, Va. Small ones will likely be to Buffalo, Columbus, D.C. and Detroit -- my favorite drivable road cities.
Gus
1:39
After the Pens abysmal playoff performance and Rutherford saying "changes" will be made, who do you see the Pens dealing and who will the Pens get in return? I would be interested in seeing 71 traded if the market is right - get a nice package for him. Tired of the lazy play over the years and the idiotic penalties. I know 99% of Pens fans will argue with me on this one, but I don't let infatuation with a player override reason.  Just because he is "Geno" doesn't mean he shouldn't be moved. If he isn't producing on offense, he isn't doing anything. Doesn't kill penalties, doesn't back check much, etc.
Jason Mackey
1:40
I see them moving Phil and a defenseman. I'm not expecting them to do anything with Geno. It's always been my understand that they want him to retire as a Penguin, and I don't think this season -- bad as it was -- changes that. Does he need to play a little more responsible game? Yeah, I think that's fair. But I don't think trading him sends the right message. It's reactionary.
Dan Mucy
1:40
Hi Jason!  I'm depressed enough as is...the way the season ended was brutal.   I will, however, look forward to your work for what promises to be a VERY entertaining summer!   OK...is there enough cap flexibility to fix this team through trades?   Also, Letang's defiance shouts an awful lot about the core issue with this team:  rigidity.   Keep up the good work, my friend!   Dan
Jason Mackey
1:41
Thanks, Dan. Will certainly be a busy one. And long. But fun. There's plenty of cap flexibility, in my opinion. If GMJR moves, say, Phil and Olli, that's basically $11 million they can play with.
Mountain Jack
1:42
The early exit hit me hard. Nothing will ever be the same
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