You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 04.19.19
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Harold
2:54
Jason, thanks for doing this all season.  While Matt Cullen is a true soldier, I am hoping, regardless of whether he retires, that the Pens move Teddy Blueger into the lineup next season on a full time basis.  Blueger is defensively responsible and looks like he has some good offensive upside potential.
Jason Mackey
2:54
I think that's extremely likely to happen. Yes, regardless of what Cullen decides.
Rick
2:54
Did the team really miss tochet ?
Jason Mackey
2:54
This is a convenient truth. Tocc is a great coach, but we're talking about something that happened before the 2017-18 season. C'mon guys and girls.
PM
2:54
Earlier in this chat, you said people have told you moving Phil will be difficult.. why is that? A PPG player making $6.8M for 3 more years seems very reasonable, no?
Jason Mackey
2:55
I agree. I wouldn't think it would be hard. Just relaying what I was told. Perhaps because of his no-movement clause.
sjsquire
2:55
What about cutting Jack Johnson? Doesn't seem worth the money.
Jason Mackey
2:55
You can't cut players in the NHL. It's not the NFL. You can cut 'em, but you still have to pay 'em.
Guest
2:55
The pens haven’t been able to replace what Nick Bonino brought to the team. Do you given time Nick Bjugstad could finally fill that spot?
Jason Mackey
2:56
Yes, I do. If Bjugstad can use his size a little bit more, I think they definitely might have something there.
PM
2:56
Do you see any suitors for Jarry around the league? Pens planning on moving him or keeping him as #3 in case of injuries?
Jason Mackey
2:56
He's on a one-way. I think someone will want him.
Jack
2:56
Do you think Jim tries to do a quick rebuild and take a chance at missing the playoffs or does he keep the team fairly the same but adds a few players to say the bottom 6 and D? I’d like to see a quick rebuild even though that might put the playoff streak on the line with some of these teams behind them getting better..
Jason Mackey
2:56
I don't think the on-the-fly rebuild will be too deep. They don't want to miss the playoffs. And to be fair, I don't think it's necessary to raze the whole thing.
Guest
2:56
Jason what type of return would you expect by trading Phil?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
2:57
Nothing too terribly big. A late-round pick or prospect or both.
Harold
2:57
Has GMJR been given too much of a pass on how he has tied up so much cap space on certain players?  The 5-year deal of 72 looks pretty bad already, 17 looks overpaid based upon performance, 73 looks expensive, etc.
Jason Mackey
2:58
Rust almost scored 20. I'm OK paying $3.5 million for that. Hornqvist wouldn't look bad if not for the concussion issues, but if you didn't say it was a problem when it happened, then it's hindsight being 20/20 to say it's a problem now.
CR
2:59
Hi Jason, thanks for the great coverage this year; asking the tough questions when they are needed. Old news, but how and why did we let Hagelin go? Was this a GM blunder? I think he would have made a big difference overall. Who is available that might be able to replace him? ( Tough to find that chemistry I believe he had with the team.)
Jason Mackey
3:00
Thanks, CR. Got this earlier. They traded Hagelin because they needed to send a message, he was on an expiring contract, and they didn't think they could re-sign him. I don't think it was a blunder, even though I think they missed him. I think they could get Ferland from Carolina, and it might make sense for them.
Daniel
3:00
What do you think say a Phil or Maatta could fetch on the open market? Might be too early but wanted to hear what you thought
Jason Mackey
3:01
Yeah, it's too early Daniel. Sorry. And also, it's tough to say anything definitely because it depends on what teams are willing to pay. I think they would be OK just opening up the cap space for Phil.
Guest
3:01
I know hindsight is easy but I wish we would have played caps .  Even if we lost it would have been good hockey .  The Games against ny was like watching paint dry .  If others teams copy their style the league is in trouble it will be too boring
Jason Mackey
3:01
Hindsight being 20/20 should be the slogan for this chat.
Rick
3:01
Because little pens have no contract current one is up in June and if you follow both teams it seems like they didn’t put much into growing talent
Jason Mackey
3:02
They're trying to win now at the NHL level. That usually deprives the AHL club.
Hornqvist Fan
3:02
Jason just a note to say thanks for a terrific season of Penguin chats.  Always looked forward to them.  When would you likely re-start these chats?
Jason Mackey
3:02
Probably around the draft ... or if news breaks.
Guest
3:02
Is there enough players available out there in free agency to help this team ?
Jason Mackey
3:02
Yes. And the fans want the Penguins to trade for all of them.
Steeler Joe
3:02
Not necessarily for publication--big fan, and your chats are always egalitarian and thorough, and you're candid. I really appreciate that as a reader. Just wanted to tell you that.
Jason Mackey
3:02
Thanks, Joe. Appreciate that.
Guest
3:02
Do you think coach and gm are in the same page ?  There seems to be a lot of building evidence to say they are not
Jason Mackey
3:03
I think they are now, but I don't think they were in the past. How else to explain the Reaves thing, right?
Tim
3:03
Seems Columbus was right about Johnson being he was scratched the first game. GMJR was pretty defensive when Torts said something after the signing.
Jason Mackey
3:03
Torts didn't say anything about Johnson. He criticized Rutherford for speaking out of turn.
Guest
3:03
Did each player meet with mgmt before they left town ?  Or does that happen later this summer ?
Jason Mackey
3:03
Yes, they did.
pens58
3:03
Is it possible for a Ryan Reeves reunion?
Jason Mackey
3:03
No way.
Connecting…