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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.21.18
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Jason Mackey
1:14
OK, folks. Sorry for the delay. Stupid flu shot. But at least I can get sick now. And away we go ..
Guest
1:15
What type of an injured player is sid, does he sit up in the box or stay hidden?
Jason Mackey
1:15
It's tough for us to tell. When players do sit in the press box, at home, we often don't see them. But knowing Sid, I would imagine he probably watches the game waaaaay too intently.
Neal b
1:15
Who do you think the next trade victim is. And where to ?
Jason Mackey
1:16
I don't think there will be one, Neal. Wrote about this yesterday. Rutherford, for now, seems to content to roll with what he has. If they did anything, I think it would probably involve Maatta, Rust, Sheahan or Sprong, but again, I don't think that's on the horizon. Just aren't the deals out there right now.
Matt in Cleveland
1:16
Why not give Jarry a game or so, can't be worse?
Jason Mackey
1:18
I guess technically it could. ... I understand why Sullivan is playing DeSmith tonight. I don't agree with it -- as I wrote today -- but I do understand it. I wouldn't understand playing Jarry. DeSmith has been fine. Do we really think Tristan would be that much better? I don't. And it could show other NHL GMs that he's less than what they thought. Unnecessary risk, basically. And, again, I think they need to get Matt's head right and get him back established at the go-to guy. Bringing up Tristan only further muddles that process.
Steven
1:18
Does Riikola have a Euro assignment clause like Plotnikov did? Seems odd that they keep him around as a healthy scratch when they've sent down Grant to keep him sharp.
Jason Mackey
1:19
I honestly don't know, Steven. That's a good question. My sense is that the answer is no, but I don't feel comfortable saying that for sure. I can tell you this: I think the organization feels Riikola is really close to being a top-six guy. They like Grant, but I think they think less of him than they do of Riikola.
MA
1:19
We’ve seen some of the players use those smelling things during games and horny uses Vick’s under his nose, on TV we never see if Sid, Geno, Tanger or Phil using any of that. Do they use any of that stuff ?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I don't think so. I think Malkin has used the smelling salts at times, but nothing like Hornqvist. That's crazy what he does. Smelling salts aren't all that big among Penguins players.
Monday Morning QB
1:20
Considering the lack of production from the bottom 6, when is it time to stop blaming chemistry and start changing strategy/gameplan?  The style that works for the top two lines clearly isn’t working for the bottom two.  If their role is depth scoring, is there any chance they change their approach to it? Or just keep steady and hope something finally clicks…
Jason Mackey
1:21
I don't know what, really, they could change, to be honest with you. It's not like Sheahan and Rust have taken the approach NOT to try and score. They need to do it. ... I think holding onto the puck will help. Ditto for the Penguins' breakouts and simplifying. But sooner or later the people you have there just have to produce. Otherwise you need to put new people in those places. That said, I think Rust has added more than Sheahan in terms of an all-around game if we're going to talk about that.
Mario
1:22
Happy Thanksgiving Mackey.  What are your favorites for the Thanksgiving meal?  Turkey, stuffing, yams, and mashed potatoes here.
Jason Mackey
1:22
Thanks, Mario. Same to you. I'm simple when it comes to Thanksgiving: Turkey with gravy, preferably dark meat; stuffing and mashed potatoes, for sure; maybe a veggie or two ... only because I feel like I have to; yams or sweet potatoes are meh for me; and of course, pumpkin and apple pies.
Ken
1:22
Without knowing specifically what hole they’d be filling, who would be the first D and F recall at this point?
Jason Mackey
1:23
I would say Teddy Blueger (F) and Ethan Prow (D) are the next men up.
Christian
1:23
Hi Jason, happy Thanksgiving! Do you think the Pens trade their first round pick this year regardless of where they finish?
Jason Mackey
1:23
I think they'd like to avoid it. And if they're struggling, then they're not going to throw good money after bad, if that makes sense. ... But if they're in it, then, yeah, I think they would have no hesitation doing that. Mandate is to win now.
KenniCrosby87
1:24
Not a question, just here to say happy thanksgiving.
Jason Mackey
1:24
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
DTrain
1:24
Does Määttä have a future with this team? I like him, appreciate the struggles he’s gone through to get where he is, but I feel like he’s the perfect guy to move, given his likely perceived value around the league is higher than his actual value. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Yeah, I think he has a future with this team. When he's going, I think Olli is absolutely a top-four defenseman. Think back to the beginning of last season. He had a heck of a start. I understand he's been different this year, and his skating ... well, ain't great. But he works his tail off, is a quality person and smart and is capable of giving them decent minutes back there. ... I think one of the reasons you've heard his name bandied about in trade rumors is because he might still hold value with other GMs and they could (potentially) move him.
Reggie dunlop
1:26
History tends to repeat itself, with star players on no movement contracts, are the coach killers back to their old tricks?  There is a precedent...
Jason Mackey
1:26
I don't think so. The stars have performed. Look at the Penguins, and it's hard to take issue with anything Crosby, Malkin, Kessel or Letang have done. Heck, they've been about their only four good players thus far, no? Them and Hornqvist.
Christian
1:27
Do the pens have interest in Puljujarvi? If so do you think the Sprong could fetch him?
Jason Mackey
1:27
I don't know if they have interest. Would probably depend on the ask. But I don't think Sprong one-for-one would get that done.
Guest
1:27
Next trade. When is it, and who is it?
Jason Mackey
1:28
I don't think anything is on the front burner. ... Seems like we're going to get a lot of these, so let me link yesterday's 20 Thoughts, which addresses the whole next trade deal: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2018/11/20/Penguins-strugg...
Bob
1:28
Hi Jason!  What's your favorite Turkey Day dish?
Jason Mackey
1:28
I'm in it for the turkey, mostly the dark meat, and the gravy. Maybe some stuffing, but honestly, I could just eat turkey for days. Also love the turkey legs. Get at least one every year at my in-laws, and it's awesome.
K
1:29
GMJR seems to have backed up on his threats of a shake up. Why is that? Is it because the team has shown signs of turning it around? Or is there simply no good enough deals out there? Will we see another trade? I know January is a favorite time of year for him, as is deadline. A shakeup at the deadline to prepare for playoffs perhaps?
Jason Mackey
1:30
I think it's more the lack of deals that make sense for GMJR. He made his one with Pearson. I'm starting to see what they saw, too. Plus, they knew they were going to lose Hagelin. ... It's just a tough time of year, and the Penguins don't have a ton of assets right now that other teams want. And everybody thinks they're still in, thus some really high prices. ... I think Jim's going to wait and see what happens.
Guest
1:30
I find Sullivan’s defense of his aggressive offensive system to be hilarious considering he’s icing a grinder fourth line with no speed when he previously preached having four speedy lines that can score.  But you guys didn’t ask the right questions of him...it’s not about having a less speedy team that’s the issue, it’s about not having the right defenseman (like Daley) who can quickly move the puck out of the zone. We don’t have that and are missing Schultz. Has anyone ever asked Sullivan about that problem and is he adjusting his system to accommodate that? Also, his system requires excellent goaltending because it also gives up high quality chances to the opposition. Why doesn’t he feel he needs to adjust the system when his goaltending has been terrible?
Jason Mackey
1:31
So you want us to ask Sullivan why he didn't trade for a mobile defenseman like Schultz? Also, I don't see what our questions have to do with how the Penguins play hockey. FWIW, I've asked Rutherford about defensemen. He has either declined to talk about specific areas of need or say the same stuff Sullivan does: That they think they're fast enough; why they're not right now is more a matter of execution ... and fixable.
1:33
Also, Sullivan was asked this stuff yesterday. He addressed it, and it's in today's story ... in addition to GMJR talking about it in 20 Thoughts. ... But I know, we're not asking the right questions. ... Sullivan has adjusted his system, specifically on the breakouts. He's actually tried to tweak a lot of stuff. One thing he can't do is hop over the boards and make his players play responsible hockey, at least not all of them at once, and that's been a problem.
guest
1:33
Hi Jason,  Happy thanksgiving to  you!  thanks for doing this today.   I am trying to keep a positive attitude about the Pens but I am starting to think this just may not be their year and their window is closing.
Jason Mackey
1:34
I wouldn't say their window is closing. They still have Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Hornqvist, Letang and Dumoulin locked for a while. That's pretty darn good. Could this year just be lost soon, and they need to use it as sort of a San Antonio Spurs-like transition year? Yeah, I think that's fair. But I do think they can pull out of this. The question is just: How long will it take?
Mario
1:34
What is wrong with Matt Murray?  Where are the spectacular plays we are accustomed to from him?  Where do the Penguins go from here in the net?
Jason Mackey
1:35
I think mentally he's in a tough spot right now. Dude really lacks confidence. What the Penguins are doing, and what they will continue to do is this: They're going to use Casey DeSmith for now, hope to start winning some games, then go to work on Murray's confidence. I think right now they're valuing wins more than Matt's mental side or confidence. To me, you're losing without him, you can lose with him. I'd like to see them get Murray re-established as the No. 1. But I can't criticize Sullivan for going the route of just wanting to win a [darn] game.
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