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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 10.25.18
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Jason Mackey
12:03
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat, which will start in about an hour. Feel free to leave your questions here, and I promise to answer every single one ... as long as they're in good taste. Thanks, Management.
12:54
Alright folks. Just got back from dropping my son off at school. Let's not waste any time and get going ...
Mike
12:54
Unfortunately Sprong might never get a fair shake with the Pens.  If they can’t put him in the top 6 for a month or so then clearly they should move the player before they get very little in return like they got with Pouilot.  Why not dress Grant at this point and do you envision Sprong getting dealt in the short term?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Hey Mike. First off, I do think they need to get Grant a game and will soon. Maybe tonight. Ruhwedel, too. And maybe Grant is a better option. Can guarantee that if he plays well, and the Penguins win, Sullivan will stick with it. Grant just seems like Sullivan's type of player. As for Sprong and a potential trade, I wouldn't do it. What value does he have at this point? Pretty much nothing. I would try to see if I could find a way to utilize him in the top-nine, like you said, for a stretch of time and see what he does.
Steven
12:56
Is Recchi working with Sprong at practices specifically on anything? Sprong has the 2nd lowest shot attempts per 60 of all the forwards, and is far away the worst at unblocked shot attempts per 60. I understand he's in a difficult position with deployment and getting the bench shortened, but the one thing he has that is definitely NHL level is his shot. Is there a reason he's so hesitant to use that you've noticed?
Jason Mackey
12:57
They're working with him on being defensively responsible and thinking about his all-around game. While I think there's value in that, he's clearly not a two-way player. He's a goal-scorer. From what I've seen, he's been too worried about showing he's responsible that he's kind of lost what got him here -- that willingness to use his shot, almost a swagger. That's why I think the numbers are what they are. He's trying to do stuff outside of his skill set to impress/reassure his coach and gain more ice time.
guest
12:58
First congrats on the new addition to  your family!  how exciting.  You are probably going to get a ton of questions on Sprong so my apologies up front, but I feel so sorry for him.  He makes one mistake and is yanked from the game.  He is a rookie who is going to make mistakes and it is early in the season.   It is very obvious Sullivan does not like him and he seems to have ruined Sprong's confidence.  For Sprongs sake I hope he gets traded.
Jason Mackey
12:59
Thank you for the kind words. Obviously we're beyond excited. We're also very lucky and we try not to forget that. Please don't apologize for the Sprong questions. Yinz folks are free to ask whatever you want, and I always use these chats as a good barometer for where the fan base is at. I agree with you on Sullivan, though. There's a reticence to play Sprong. The question is how much is it and why does it exist. Also, is it ever going to change? I have some doubts on the last of those things.
Jeff
1:00
You'll probably get a lot of questions about Sprong, but what do you think of his current play? A lot of fans are upset about his ice time, but I can't disagree with Sully's decision to keep him off the ice in tight games; he's not been as impressive as I'm sure a lot of fans were hoping for. I hope he's able to learn from his current situation and improve for the Pens, but I'm worried this is going to become more of a Pouliot situation for the organization (though glad that DP found a good home in Vancouver).
Jason Mackey
1:01
I understand what Sullivan is doing in close games. My bigger issue is not putting him with skilled people to begin with. He's not a fourth-line player. Either play him with skill guys or trade him, honestly. That's where I'm at. We can analyze his play all we want, but reality is it's a really small sample size. I also think he's mentally kind of ... not right at the moment. Too worried about gaining Sullivan's trust and not enough about doing what he does well. For me, you need to play him with skilled guys and be OK living with the consequences.
guest
1:01
I haven't really heard much about the hit on Schultz but I think that was a borderline dirty hit.  It was from behind way after the play and there was no reason to drag him down to the ice like that.  His injury is going to have a big impact on the season.
Jason Mackey
1:02
I'll agree on the last part. I think if GMJR doesn't see some improvement soon from Johnson and Maatta, he could be forced to explore the trade market. But I don't agree with the assertion that it was a dirty hit. Neither do the Penguins. To a man, nobody had a problem with what Plekanec did. It was just an unfortunate situation for Schultz that his leg was in the position it was in.
guest
1:04
I can't believe I am going to say this but I think they are missing Sheary and his speed and youthful excitement.  He was a good fit for the top line with Crosby and they can't seem to find that fit on the team right now.  Sheary was a player Sullivan seemed to pick on and I think it affected his confidence in the end.
Jason Mackey
1:05
I think what they're missing is something ... though not necessarily Conor Sheary. Bryan Rust could have it. Sprong or Simon could have it. Someone to come up and convert, to finish some of the chances created by Sidney Crosby. Sheary was that guy at times; he was horrible at others. But they do need a winger right now other than Kessel, Hagelin or Hornqvist to play well.
Dee
1:05
What’s going on with Brassard? How long will they keep him with hardly any efforts
Jason Mackey
1:06
Dee, I don't know if I can accuse Brassard of lacking effort. Does he need to score more? Absolutely. Fair gripe. Has the trade, to this point, been a dud? You bet. But trust me, it's not for lack of effort. I wonder whether there's ever going to be a proper fit for him here, but I don't question for a second how much the guy puts into this. It's there, trust me. Dude works.
Guest
1:06
How has the locker room dynamic shifted this season? Any new friendships flourishing? Seemed like some of the new guys still kept to themselves even on the Banff trip.
Jason Mackey
1:08
I wouldn't say it's a ton different any which way, but we're only seven games in. Long time to go. Also, it's hard for reporters to truly gauge "a sense of the room" or whatever you wanna say there. We're around more than fans but not by much anymore. I do think Cullen was a good addition in that regard. Sid and Sheahan have become good friends. Sprong and Brassard, too. It's a very healthy room personality-wise. Lot of good people.
PensNorth
1:08
Jack Johnson has gotten a 'pass' for being the new guy learning the system. How long do you think this will go on before  HCMS  has to look at his liability to the team?
Jason Mackey
1:09
More than seven games, I know that. Listen, I know the Jack Johnson bashers are out there, and he might stink. But I'm gonna need more than seven games to come to a final conclusion. Especially when the guy has already been on the second and third pairs, the left and right side and with four other partners. In seven games. Gonna take some time, and all players need more continuity than that.
SJA
1:09
Just to break up all the hysterics about the Penguins’ defense — congratulations to you on the newest member of your family, and thank you for doing these chats! Always entertaining.
Jason Mackey
1:10
Thank you very much, although part of my family involves hysterics over the Penguins defense. Ha. I think my wife -- who kicks so much [butt] it's ridiculous -- would hit me in the head with a hammer if I bailed on more than one chat. Thanks for understanding last week.
MA
1:10
Any word on when the dad's trip is this year? Also, will the Pen's ever do a Mom's trip again?
Jason Mackey
1:11
It's usually later in the season, but we haven't been told anything. They will do a mom's trip again. They try to rotate 'em. Moms are due, too. I love that they do both. Never understand why it was always just dads. Quite literally none of them would be here if not for their mothers.
Question
1:11
Any chance we could see Sprong elevated and ZAR promoted to Malkin's line, with Kessel and Hagelin assigned to Brassard's to get Brassard and Sprong jump-started?
Jason Mackey
1:13
You raise an interesting point, although I'm not sure they're at the promote-ZAR-stage quite yet. At this point, I think the Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel line is as etched in stone as you can get with Mike Sullivan because it has been, far and away, the Penguins' most productive line. That said, I'm surprised Sullivan hasn't gone with Sprong and Brassard together for more of an extended stretch.
Guest
1:14
We often hear that the talented star players are harder to coach. Where do Sid, Geno and Tanger fit into that discussion?
Jason Mackey
1:16
They're harder to coach, absolutely. For a multitude of reasons. One, they expect a ton out of themselves. Take Crosby for example. Wasn't scoring but playing fine. Had a one-on-one meeting with Sullivan. Sid also knows so much and cares so much, it constantly challenges Sullivan to stay up with that and give Sid what he wants. Malkin marches to the beat of his own drum quite a bit. He's shown for years that he's often going to play the game his way whether the coach likes it or not, and mostly that's a very good thing. Although he does do some dumb stuff. Letang ... you can draw up the best game plan in the world, but he's his best self when he's relying on his instincts and takes chances. Sometimes that backfires. They also have strong personalities. Mike Johnston is a really, really smart guy but didn't have the personality to handle those guys. Sullivan does.
Adam Smith
1:16
I was surprised that more people weren’t talking about Crosby’s playoff legacy last year as he passed the likes of Mario, Savard, Beliveau, Lidstrom, and Trottier and is now tied with Steve Yzerman for 10th all-time in playoff scoring. He only needs 16 points to jump into the top five (which seems likely to happen this year if the Pens make it to round 2). He's only 31. With that said where do you think Sid sits all-time as a playoff performer? When you consider the success he’s had in the post-season, it seems to affirm Babcock’s sentiments last week that he is the best in the game “by far” because he’s a winner.
Jason Mackey
1:18
Good question, Adam. I liked Babcock's comments for that reasons: Crosby has done it time and time again. Yes, Matthews and McDavid are great and probably the future of the league. But until they've produced in the postseason the way Crosby has, I can't put either of them ahead of Crosby. I don't feel comfortable slotting Crosby ahead of some of the guys you mentioned -- Lidstrom, Yzerman, etc. -- but I do feel comfortable calling him one of probably the three best active playoff performers.
dave
1:24
I know everyone loves Cullen, but he hasn't produced much of anything so far.  Isn't it time to scratch him and give Derek Grant a try?
Jason Mackey
1:24
I think if someone is coming out of the lineup right now, it's either Sprong or Simon. I have zero concern with Cullen's level of play right now. He's a fourth-line center who makes $650,000. He's been worth every penny of that thus far.
MaySee Gray
1:25
I'm curious what the environment is for Daniel Sprong on the team.  Do the older teammates try to support him or do they feel like he's not ready and waiting for him to show something?  Aside from the fiasco of a play against Chiasson I watch Sprong and it seems like he doesn't puck support very well.  If someone has the puck down low he tends to get in their way and if someone has it on the boards he'll just stand and wait.  It just seems like these are easy things to work on and I'm surprised he hasn't improved much- how much slack is he getting cut?
Jason Mackey
1:26
I don't think Sprong's teammates dislike him, if that's your concern. I think they all sort of recognize that Sullivan is looking for certain things. I don't know if they have an opinion on whether Sprong is getting a raw deal or not. If they do, I doubt they're going to share it with me. Sprong isn't the easiest guy to play with, though, sort of like Phil. Give them some truth serum, and I think they would probably admit that.
Mike
1:26
Let's go back to the summer of 2014.  The Penguins still fire Bylsma but decide to keep Shero.  Where do you think the franchise is now in terms of success?
Jason Mackey
1:27
Whoa. That's a really interesting one. It's tempting to say they wouldn't have won two Cups because Shero wouldn't have hired Sullivan. And while I don't think Ray would've hired Mike, I do think Ray was very smart and would've hired his own guy. Bottom line, I think it's impossible to say either way, but I think Shero was/is a terrific GM and probably would've kept the Penguins right in the thick of things.
MaySee Gray
1:28
I know there's a lot of trash-talking in the NHL.  Do you have any sense of whether it is also common in the European leagues?  I'm curious if the Finnish players have to get used to that sort of thing- I can't imagine sweet Olli Maatta making fun of someone's mother.
Jason Mackey
1:29
That just made me chuckle thinking about what Olli would say in any country as trash talk. Honestly, I have zero sense of trash talk in Finland, Sweden or Russia. If someone says they do, they're lying.
dave
1:29
Should GMJR be looking to acquire a defenseman?  Aside from Dumo, Letang, and maybe Oleksiak, I don't think any of the other guys are playing very well.
Jason Mackey
1:29
I think it's an area he'll evaluate. Maybe not, if Olli and Jack can play better. It's still early, and GMJR is still evaluating his team. But if this continues through, say, 20 or 25 games, then yes, I do think Jim will look to do something.
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