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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.1.18
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Jason Mackey
12:56
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday Penguins chat. Let's get started ...
Dr. House
1:01
Jason... this early in the season what is your favorite line to watch? Also... how do you see the Sprong experiment working out in the next few weeks?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Hey Dr. House, good question. So far it's been Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel. I know, I know. That's not a very original answer, but it's hard for me to say anything else. They've been spectacular together. And I'll admit: I thought Sullivan would maybe try Malkin and Kessel apart, but they've been so good together, separating them wouldn't have made any sense.
dave
1:02
Have the past couple of games proven that Sprong needs to be on one of the top 2 lines?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Potentially, Dave. And I see your point. I do believe that Sprong has to play with skilled people to be successful. But the problem here is that the Malkin line has been absurdly good, and Sprong really didn't mesh all that well with Crosby, at least not this season. Ideally, Simon is an excellent fit there. Something I would like to see is Sprong with Brassard and Rust. It's a third line, yes, but it's three guys who have produced offensively given the right situation. Problem, though, is then your fourth line is Sheahan-Cullen-Hornqvist; I'm not sure if I'm OK with Hornqvist being on a fourth line.
MA
1:04
What is up with Brass? I was really pulling for him but ,injuries aside, it doesn't seem like he is fitting in.
Jason Mackey
1:09
I'm worried about that, too, MA. I think that's a fair point. If you include every game Brassard has played for the Penguins -- meaning playoffs included -- he's produced five goals and 17 points in 34 games. That's not good enough, not for someone who makes what he makes and his pedigree. His points per game (.50) in those 34 games is only slightly better than what Riley Sheahan produced (.42) before the trade. ... I'm willing to give it more time -- I've liked him on the wing -- but I think it's absolutely fair to wonder if he's the right player for this team.
JT
1:09
Any trade rumours? Or Trades you think that make sense. Yes, the team is playing well, but some games are so shaky.
Jason Mackey
1:10
Honestly, no. ... That might be the rumor. I really don't think GMJR wants to do anything right now. He always gives it about 20 games, which is fair. But I'm not sure if this team has shown definitively what it needs. Just when you think you have a bead on 'em, they do what they did Tuesday. Which is why it's probably smart to wait and let the water find its level.
Guest
1:10
who is out tonight with Tanger probably back in?
Jason Mackey
1:10
Juuso Riikola will sit, assuming Kris Letang plays.
Guest
1:12
Part 2 : I know it is many months away but who is your top pick to go out when Schultz comes back?
Jason Mackey
1:12
I think, ideally, Chad Ruhwedel would return to being the No. 7. That's how this team was constructed. But, as you said, a lot can happen between now and then.
Matt
1:15
ZAR-Brassard-Sprong
Mackey, when Brassars returns, I say top 3 lines need to be Guentzel- Crosby-Horny
Hags-Malkin-Kessel
Jason Mackey
1:15
Thanks for your input, Matt. I think we'll wait and see. You have to scratch one of the following, though: Sheahan, Cullen, Simon and Rust. Who would go?
Jip
1:16
Curious about the Blue Lives Matter flag that found its way onto the ice for the ceremonial puck drop honoring the first responders. Was that something the Pens organization planned or knew about ahead of time? Have they commented at all on its presence given its controversial associations?
Jason Mackey
1:17
No, I'm sorry. Nobody has commented on why that was there.
HB
1:17
Why has Riikola not gotten a chance over Johnson or maatta
Jason Mackey
1:19
Well, he did get to play last game and for a couple before it, but I get your point. A couple things here. One, the organization made a bold move getting Johnson. I'm not sure they're willing to call it a failure -- that's what they would be doing by healthy scratching Johnson, or at least saying it's not going well -- after < 10 games. As for Maatta, I think they're trying to let him relax and regain his confidence. Yanking him out again doesn't do that. Sometimes I think you need to let people play through things and let them figure it out.
rob
1:19
When Schultz is back, do pens rock with 8D? What's your opinion?
Jason Mackey
1:20
Not at all. They're stay with six. Sullivan has publicly stated he doesn't like going 11/7 let alone 10/8. I don't know any coach who would want to do that, although I'll acknowledge that Sullivan has, at times, reduced his forward group to 10.
Guest
1:20
How much longer does Sprong get before we bring in the reinforcements (ZAR)?
Jason Mackey
1:21
Well, they play different positions, so I'm not sure I would immediately associated one with the other. But I get that someone like, say, Rust can play both sides. I think you need to give Sprong more time. He made progress Saturday in Vancouver. The Penguins really aren't weak on the left side, and that's all ZAR does. He doesn't play center or right wing ... or at least the Penguins don't have any interest in him playing either of those two positions.
Loose Cannon
1:21
It seems to be a waste of money and talent having Horny on the 3rd or 4th line,what do you see happening with Horny this season,what is your ideal situation for him
Jason Mackey
1:24
I think ideally he plays next to Sid. But I see why Sullivan made the change. I don't think those two together are going to be a constant, and they're better in the playoffs. I think they need to find a secondary option with Crosby, either Simon, Rust or Sprong, then alternate them. ... As for Hornqvist, it's tough right now with Malkin and Kessel playing as well as they have together. If that gets stale, then there's an easy place to put Hornqvist. I just think it's exacerbated because Hornqvist and Crosby really didn't click, and Malkin and Kessel have been humming along.
Guest
1:24
Matt Murray starting?
Jason Mackey
1:24
They canceled their skate, so we won't know anything until 5 p.m., when Sullivan talks at Barclays Center. I'd put it at 60/40 Murray.
Runaway
1:25
What happened to the Golden Triangle on the new Pens third jersey?
Jason Mackey
1:25
I'm not sure, honestly. It's kind of a mashup, and I don't think it was received terribly well with fans ... perhaps because of this. I don't think they saw it as an essential part of the sweater.
HB
1:25
My response to the statue question from last week I think it’s a malkin and Crosby statue and if they win another cup then you add Kessel and for every cup just add another player until it’s an elaborate giant statue.
Jerry k
1:27
Whose game do you think will deteriorate fast towards the end of their careers, Crosby or Malkin?
Jason Mackey
1:28
I'd say Malkin ... but good question. I think Sid's is more adaptable to older age ... assuming his body cooperates. The skill that Malkin has, taking over games and that extra gear ... I don't think he's in danger of losing it, but I think when things do go, that might be the first.
Rob
1:28
I meant like rocking the 6 and having 2 as healthy scratches! Sorry for the miscommunication.
Jason Mackey
1:29
All good. Yeah, when Schultz comes back, they're going to stick with six. I think it's still TBD who those six will be, but I really, really doubt Sullivan would ever go 11/7, unless he was absolutely forced to.
J
1:30
I have a theory on the Ryan Reeves experiments: the Pens were trying to re-create/ counter the Tom Wilson effect that frees up a lot of space for Ovi and Kuznetsov. It just didn’t work. What do you say?
Jason Mackey
1:31
I think you're onto something there. However, I don't think the Penguins ever intended to play Reaves on the top line. It wouldn't have worked, either, because Wilson is a better skater and hockey player. But I do think the Penguins had visions -- or maybe Rutherford, I should say -- of Reaves playing 8-10 minutes a night, getting in hard on the forecheck, knocking people around, creating space, chipping in a little. Essentially having a real role. But for a few reasons, obviously, that never happened.
Dr. House
1:31
Do you think if Mario came out of the owner’s box fit and healthy that he’d be our 3c?
Jason Mackey
1:32
Sure. And I could almost guarantee he'd have more than five goals and 17 points in 34 games. ... Not a crack on Brassard, either. Mario's the greatest who ever played, in my opinion. He'd still score 20-30 goals ... or at least I like to think that he would.
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