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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 1.11.18
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Jason Mackey
1:27
It's important, but it's not everything. They've won the past two seasons. How many homegrown, No. 1 picks are in the bunch? What, four: Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and Maatta? It's something. It's not everything. You need to have good scouts and player development people. The Penguins do.
Kevin
1:27
Any idea if the Pens kicked the tires on Cody Franson? Seems like a big right-handed defenseman with a cap friendly contract who drives possession and can play a little on the power play would have been a significant upgrade over, say, Matt Hunwick.
Jason Mackey
1:28
I can't say for sure whether they did or didn't, but I know they liked him a couple years ago. I'm sure they had conversations, but they have conversations about a lot of players and a lot of things. That's not Earth-shattering news.
Bonie
1:28
Hey Jason, here is your french fan once again.
Jason Mackey
1:28
Welcome!
Alex
1:28
Now that Sprong is (probably) a full time NHLer now, I need to ask, what was the hold up? I know they said “he wasn’t ready” in December, however, I see no indication as such. He’s very strong offensively, and he’s quite engaged defensively for a player of his type (even more so than 2x Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel), and his supposed inaccurate shot has hit the net more often than not...
Jason Mackey
1:30
You're right, Alex. This isn't an exact science, however. And you'd always rather wait a little too long as opposed to forcing it on a kid, having things go poorly, and then all of a sudden you're screwed. The Penguins waited because they didn't want to screw up Sprong's development. I can't fault them for that. They have a pretty good track record developing young forwards.
Alex
1:30
Any prospect updates? Zach Aston-Reese, Adam Johnson, Lukas Bengtsson? I just really like hearing about the future of the Penguins. Thanks Jason. I really appreciate you taking the time to take our mundane and repetitive questions.
Jason Mackey
1:30
Hi Alex, not a ton, to be honest. Sorry. Been concerned with the NHL club and, with all the travel, trying to re-introduce myself to my family. Maybe more next week.
Alex
1:30
With Sheahan centering the 4th line, how would you assess Reaves’ play?
Jason Mackey
1:32
I like it. I want to see more. I think Reaves can do some good things. I don't understand playing him 3-4 minutes a night. If that's what you're going to do, trade him, and get someone you feel you can play. But he can skate OK for a big guy, good enough, and hits like a truck. He needs to play with a center like Sheahan who could create a little behind the net and make things easy, but he's been decent going to the net. My biggest issue with Reaves is how screwy his usage has been.
Bonie
1:32
hey Jason, here is your french fan again. I woke up IOT watch the Pens last two games, end results? Wins. Here are my questions : 1) do you think I should wake up at 1am every single Pens games bc it seems they win when it is the case... 2) joke aside, I remember being quite happy that Pit selected Simon late in the draft because he was good at the world championship playing with #68. Today, nothing has changed : the kid is good (fast, good playmaking and even not a liability defensevily). What is your assessment of him and do you keep him with the big club even after Rusty’s return? Handshake from Paris!
Jason Mackey
1:34
Thanks, Bonie. I think you should do whatever makes you happy, although I can't say I'd be getting up at 1 a.m. I'd be DVR'ng that bad boy and watching it over coffee. I like Simon as a player, but I'd definitely put Rust back into the lineup in favor of him. Simon still does some stuff that works at the AHL level -- usually risky plays -- that often don't translate to the NHL. Learning that line is something he still needs to do. He'll get there, but I think he could use more seasoning, to be honest.
Znw
1:34
Do you think they have anyone in wilkes barre that can help them at center
Jason Mackey
1:34
No, I don't. We would've seen them by now. Maybe next year for Johnson or Blueger.
TK
1:34
Can you explain whey Cole has fallen out of favor so much?
Jason Mackey
1:35
Couple things ... and keep in mind this is only my best guess: Cole is very cooperative with the media. Sullivan -- while very nice -- isn't a fan of giving us anything the least bit interesting. Cole also speaks his mind, sort of an alpha male. Ditto for Cole. Third, Cole has been penalty-prone at times. Easy thing for Sullivan to act one.
on*
Albert
1:36
Big fan of your work Jason. What's your thought on Simon's play, especially on Crosby's line? Seems like he does a lot of the little things to open up scoring chances for Sprong and Sid. Do you think he remains a fixture there for the time being? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
1:36
Thanks, Albert. Appreciate the kind words. I think Simon has been good enough, but I'd like to see him refine his game a little bit. Shoot more. Create more opportunities for himself. A little more careful with the puck. That sort of stuff.
Three Peat
1:36
To all the naysayers I quote the greatest character in cinema history..
Jason Mackey
1:37
Lloyd Christmas?
Albert
1:37
When Rust and Rowney come back, who do you think are the odd men out?
Jason Mackey
1:38
Simon's the easy one, IMO. Then it gets interesting. Won't be Sprong. Maybe Kuhnhackl. I'd also think about rotating out Sheary and Hagelin, to see if it lights a fire under either one.
TK
1:38
Do you think Letang's trade value has gone up now that he's an all-star?
Jason Mackey
1:39
This won't die. The Penguins aren't trading Letang. It doesn't matter.
Three Peat
1:39
To all the naysayers I quote the greatest character in the  history of cinema. "Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"--Oddball (Kelly's Heroes).
Jason Mackey
1:40
I'd stick with Lloyd Christmas. "Our pets heads are falling off!" ... "Swimmy, Swammy ... Oh, Samsonite. I was way off!"
Jerry
1:40
Jason,
Jason Mackey
1:40
Jerry,
Joe
1:40
I've heard that and it seems as if the Pens changed to a more aggressive style on defense since the calendar turned 2018. Do you agree and have you heard anything from Sullivan on this?
Jason Mackey
1:41
I think changed to a more aggressive style isn't exactly right, but they've been on their toes more. It's not a completely new system or anything like that. It's a more aggressive version of the old one, if that makes sense. D more eager, playing tighter together ... more aggressive, as I said.
Jerry
1:42
Jason
Jason Mackey
1:42
Easy, Jerry. I know you're excited, but you need to relax a bit.
Three Peat
1:43
the Oleksiak move is looking better and better. A healthy Schultz, the continued strong play of Maatta and Dumo and any semblance of the Letang of old and we have, in my opinion, a very solid D. Personally, I try and trade Hunwick and consider Cole a rental for a puck run.
Jason Mackey
1:43
I don't disagree with you, but the question I'd ask is: What are you going to get for Hunwick and his $2.25-million-a-year contract with two more seasons in addition to this one left on it? Probably not much.
CAW
1:44
Jason, thanks for the chats.  I think the biggest roadblock for a Penguins trade is that players they'd rather keep are the only ones other teams would want.  If we want a good 3C, it'll have to be from a team who's well out of the playoff picture (Ottawa, Vancouver, etc), and they'll probably want a good young player with some time on their contract to help them rebuild.  So, if the Pens were interested in say, Pageau or Gagner as a 3C, that probably means giving up someone like Sheary, or Dumoulin, or both, and likely packaged with someone like Rust or a good prospect.  Just my two cents.
Jason Mackey
1:45
I don't disagree with you. I think they would be OK losing Sheary, maybe even Rust. It would be a no-fly zone on Dumoulin. But it would probably take him or Maatta to get something substantive done. Those guys plus a couple other pieces, I'd imagine.
Alex
1:45
Is Jarry a possible trade option. We’ve seen good backups fetch a first rounder. Would a team like Arizona be looking for a future starter?
Jason Mackey
1:45
Given how much the Penguins have needed two good goalies over the past two seasons, I don't see how they could do it.
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