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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.21.18
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Harold
1:36
Hi, Jason: Thanks for the great work in covering the Pens and for the weekly chat.
Jason Mackey
1:36
Thanks, Harold. I appreciate you participating.
RC
1:36
Why don't you think Sprong is getting a chance? I know he is not fully developed, but at least let him show you what he can do offensively. He played a few games with Sid, but that was it. Ever since, he has played with line mates who are also underperforming. Wouldn't a game or a few games with Geno allow him to really show his offensive abilities. If they really wanna move him, it'll at least boost his value..
Jason Mackey
1:37
The boost-his-value part is interesting. That would seem to be the biggest argument for playing him with skilled people. But as I understand it, the reason they haven't played him with Crosby or Malkin is multifaceted. I don't think Crosby or Malkin wants to do it, Sullivan isn't thrilled with the idea, and Sprong with Malkin would take shots away from Malkin. Malkin has also been very good with Kessel. I wonder more why Sprong hasn't been given a shot to play with Brassard.
Guest
1:37
Has the organization considered sitting Sheahan and Grant and calling up two faster players from WBS to play on the fourth line? Grant can be waived without going through waivers again and there is an extra spot on the roster with Cullen on IR. They aren’t getting it done so why not try some younger, fresher legs? Blueger for example is good at winning faceoffs
Jason Mackey
1:38
They have sat both. Didn't do much, but they did sit Sheahan for a game, and Grant been in and out all season. I agree with you that they should give Teddy Blueger a look. Why not? They say he's ready. What are we clinging to here?
guest
1:38
Is it just me or is the arena lacking atmosphere this season?  And there seems to be alot of empty seats when watching on tv.  Do the Pens do anything to work with the corporations who most likely have those expensive seats in trying to make sure they are used every game?
Jason Mackey
1:39
The atmosphere has been lacking, I'll agree with that. I think part of that comes with how they've played at home, too -- not good. It also hasn't been a terribly exciting brand of hockey. When you're struggling the way they have, fans are going to do other things: Whether that's sell their tickets, go get a beer during play or flip through their phones. If the Penguins are winning and playing exciting hockey, this market has proven that the fan atmosphere can be tremendous.
Harold
1:39
Based upon the ineffective, slow footed performance by Maata and Johnson in particular, are there any new rumors on any changes to the defense that GMJR may be planning?
Jason Mackey
1:40
Nope. I would expect both of those guys to stay in the lineup. And I don't disagree with it. They would be criminally overpaying for a top-four defenseman right now. If they're going to use Johnson in a third-pairing role, watch, the results are magically going to get a whole lot better.
The Fan
1:40
Of the Kings, Blues, Blackhawks and Oilers, which team has made an upgrade in coaching?
Jason Mackey
1:41
None of them, honestly. Maybe the Kings, I guess. Never been a huge John Stevens fan. But I think it's ridiculous that Yeo, Q and McLellan all had to pay for awful roster decisions made by their general managers.
FR
1:41
In his question answer article earlier in the week, Joe Starkey says Rutherford is more to blame for the current state of the Penguins more so than Sullivan?  What do you think?
Jason Mackey
1:41
Do I have to pick one or the other? I'd put it on the players, to be honest with you.
Reggie dunlop
1:41
In hindsight, should have Rutherford resigned Bonino?  He was a warrior and had proved he could play with Kessel.
Jason Mackey
1:43
Eh, I have a tough time saying that. If Brassard had turned out to be the player he was projected to be -- you can't argue with the thought process in getting him -- then we're not having this discussion. GIven his financial situation at the time, I don't fault GMJR for avoiding giving a four-year contract worth $16 million to a guy who was 29 with one 20-goal season on his resume. FYI, Bonino has two goals in 21 games. It's not an upgrade over what they currently have.
Bob
1:43
Can you ask Matt Vensel (or his editor) what the score of Wednesday night's game against Dallas was?  His article said that Sid returned, Malkin played (after taking a stick to the head Monday and sitting out practice, and Riikola returned to the lineup.  :)
Jason Mackey
1:44
It is strange that it's written in the past tense. Normally that's only done around puck drop. I will look into it. Thanks.
Nick
1:45
At trade deadline who do you see being dealt ?
Jason Mackey
1:45
It's still waaaay too early for that, Nick, and this team has so many more issues. They might be non-competitive by then, or they might have a completely new need. It's just tough to say right now given how these first 19 games have gone.
ER
1:45
If this continues, can you see #LoseForHughes becoming a reality, and the Penguins selling off some pieces they wouldn't expect to move?
Jason Mackey
1:46
Ha. No, it's not going to get to that. Funny hashtag, though.
KM
1:46
Is there any indication that Geno is dealing with some sort of a nagging injury? Obviously the whole team is struggling, and he is still putting up points, but it feels like the turnovers are worse than usual.
Jason Mackey
1:46
No, there's no indication. And, honestly, those stupid turnovers aren't unique to Malkin in 2018-19. They're a part of his game. Same with the stupid penalties. But you kinda have to take the good with the bad.
Tom
1:46
Being you are around the players off can you give insight To some personalities?
Jason Mackey
1:46
That's a bit of a broad question, Tom. Anyone specifically you're curious about?
Steven
1:46
Jesse Marshall in The Athletic had a good piece on the failings of the Penguins breakout, and how Sullivan said he would change that. Have you noticed anything different through the last 2 practices in that ergard?
Jason Mackey
1:48
Yes, I've been at all of them, and they've worked on breaking out in crowds ... that might be the best way to put it. I actually asked Jack Johnson about that this morning. I think this quote might help: "It was working on breaking out from a scrum or not a clean breakout. Everyone getting available out of a scrum in the corner. Once the other team’s in the offensive zone, you want to try and get them stopped, get the puck stopped, get the players stopped, then dig the puck out from there. You have to be able to break the puck out from those defensive scrums. Not every breakout is going to be a clean breakout. It’s just the way it is. There are going to be good dumps by the other team. The other teams are going to carry it with possession. You have to find a way to break the puck out."
Jeff
1:48
At what point do the Penguins look at Jack Johnson and say "Okay, maybe this was a mistake"? Hopefully Jim Rutherford knows that Peter Chiarelli loves collecting vastly overrated defensemen.
Jason Mackey
1:48
Jack Johnson has been fine. Has he been great? No. He's also been used wrong. Play him on the third pair, and let's see. And also, even the games where he has been bad, I don't understand why all the Penguins' problems are his fault.
guest
1:49
Do you think part of the problem with the chemistry is a disconnect between the older and younger players?   The younger players feel too much pressure to produce for the older players?  with the cup runs the young players came up in groups so had each other but now they seem to be kind of on their own.
Jason Mackey
1:50
I don't think so. I think it's a pretty inclusive room. I think they all feel pressure, but not anything out of the ordinary. I think right now you have a group of guys slumping, too many at the same time. They've been doing different things poorly. The goaltending hasn't saved them, the same for the secondary scoring. They have little cushion, and they're screwing up so much and so frequently that it's costing them. I don't think it has anything to do with the age range in the room or that meshing well.
Average Joes
1:50
Hi Jason, every Penguins insider from every publication predicted the Pens would win the Metro and almost all had them winning the Cup.  No one even hinted that a struggle was possible.  What on-ice aspect do you think was overlooked/missed/overestimated by those closest to the team that led to the slow start?
Jason Mackey
1:52
I know me personally, I probably didn't take seriously enough to gradual slide from 2015-16 to 2016-17 and 2017-18 when it came to speed/possessing/playing with the puck. ... Also, the back end. I think we may have over-estimated their depth and how much they could address the loss of Justin Schultz. But this? Some of this has also just been a crazy cavalcade of problems.
SidFan
1:52
Thoughts on this:
Jason Mackey
1:52
No problem. Here you go:
Hatrick Pornquivst
1:52
I think you chats should have a weekly Jeff Jimerson question. So to start it off - is that his only gig, and it pays well, or is it just a hobby done for free nachos and season tickets? either way - I'm cool with it.
Jason Mackey
1:53
Ha. I don't know about the perks of the job, to be honest. But he does have a band, I know that. Believe it's called Airborne. Don't know if that's after the Vitamin C supplement or not.
SidFan
1:53
thoughts on these lines:  Guentzel-Sid-Hornq Pearson-Geno-Sprong Simon-Brass-Phil Rust-Sheahan-ZAR
Jason Mackey
1:55
I don't like Sprong with Malkin one, because it's never actually going to happen so it's a waste of our time. But also because Sprong will take too many shots. Do you want Malkin deferring to a 21-year-old with four goals in 40 NHL games? I don't. I'd go Phil with Geno. Brassard, Simon and Rust were very good in the preseason. I like that. I'd also like a look at ZAR-Sheahan-Sprong. I think there's some potential there.
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