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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.15.2018
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Alex
1:45
Is Riley Sheahan a Nick Spaling reincarnate? Like Spaling, I feel Sheahan is just...there. And nothing else.
Jason Mackey
1:46
He scored some last year. ... I will give Sheahan this, even though he definitely needs to score more: He's better on the PK, on draws and defensively than Spaling. Should theoretically add more offense, too.
Jon
1:46
Apologies if asked and answered, but given JR’s extension and the trade of the 1 winger Sullivan had not moved in the lineup, any chance Sullivan is gone after game 40 if we are on the outside of the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:47
No. Canning Sullivan, I can tell you, is not even a thought that has crossed GMJR's mind.
Alex
1:47
Since Sid is out for maybe a week, does that mean Malkin is going to have multiple hat tricks and 30 points over that time span?
Jason Mackey
1:47
Ha. He has always played very well with Sid out. Will have to wait and see Bob Grove tweet out those numbers pregame. I know they're pretty good. The Penguins need it, too.
Pens4Life
1:47
Your tweet yesterday pretty much answered this, but personal thoughts on the Hagelin deal? You’ve mentioned before how well he plays on his line, granted he’s only scored once, but I’m not sure I like it.
Jason Mackey
1:48
I think it should be TBD. What if Pearson is actually decent? I like what Hagelin brought, too, but I can't criticize the GM for making a move when his team continually struggles. And they were going to lose Hagelin anyway. Why not get something for him? ... They lost with him. What are they clinging to?
Pens4Life
1:48
With trades like this, how much input does Sullivan have? For example, is Pearson someone who he’s watched closely and JR seeks his opinion? Does Sullivan say something like ‘Hey, this Pearson guy would fit well in our system. Go ahead and make the trade.’
Jason Mackey
1:49
Yeah, it's collaborative. There are always cases where Sullivan pushes for it to happen, like Brassard last year. I wouldn't set there's any set structure, but Sullivan definitely have substantial input into the process.
Pens4Life
1:49
You’ve listed untouchables in recent years, but given what’s transpired this season, is Malkin still on it, or is he someone who, if a spectacular offer came along, JR might just consider it?
Jason Mackey
1:49
I think Malkin is untouchable for Rutherford. At least right now, in this particular situation. Maybe that could change, say, next summer. But untouchable for now.
Pens4Life
1:49
I know it’s early, but are all the anti-Jack Johnson folks from this summer feeling vindicated so far? He hasn’t been that great.
Jason Mackey
1:50
I think the anti-Jack folks from this summer have only turned up their rage about, oh, only a couple hundred notches.
Pens4Life
1:50
Given the secrecy of injuries in the NHL, have you ever received reports from any of your inside sources as to the nature of any specific injury, and if you did, would you report it? For example, if someone within the organization told you what is wrong with Brassard, would you print it or hold off so as not to anger the team? (I understand off the record comments, but if someone told you but then asked you not to report it, as a journalist, that’s not off the record, but then you’d have to deal with a pi$$ed off coach and organization).
Jason Mackey
1:51
If I had information that I knew was correct, and I went about obtaining it through the correct channels, I would never, ever hold off for fear of ticking off the coach or team. That's our job. I would never liken covering the NHL to the White House or something like that, but I'm doing a disservice to yinz folks if I have something and just hold it. That said, you can't always report everything out the way you want because people have to talk and respond. But that doesn't mean you don't try.
fred
1:52
I am puzzled by the Hagelin trade. Pens emphasize the need to be responsible defensively, and also emphasize team speed. To my, admittedly unsophisticated eye, Hagelin brought more of those qualities to the table than anyone, yet they moved him. How does this make them better?
Jason Mackey
1:53
If may not, Fred. It could make them different, and that might be good enough. ... I could -- let's take the optimist's view here -- see it making them better in the sense that Pearson might have better finishing ability than Hagelin. If they need secondary scoring, and Hagelin isn't providing much of it, maybe they're willing to sacrifice the speed? But I see where you're coming from.
Guest
1:53
Do the Pens consider bring back Hagelin if the kings are out of it in March or even in the summer or no???
Jason Mackey
1:53
It would depend on the ask. Chances are the Kings can get more than the Penguins would be willing to give. And hopefully the Penguins would have that spot back-filled by then.
CJR
1:53
With all the hype and early success Sprong had, why is it that he just can't find a spot on the Pens? Hindsight is 20/20, but perhaps we should've sold high on him last year.
Jason Mackey
1:54
I don't think it would've been that high, to be honest with you. Maybe slightly higher than now but not by much. ... Sprong doesn't have a place to play on this team. With Phil and Hornqvist as your top two right wings, Sprong is no better than third. And they don't love the idea of him playing with Sid or Geno. I don't know why it's taken them until now to realize that, but that's what I've been told.
fred
1:54
Hey Jason, I hit send one second before a similar question and your reply popped up. sorry 'bout that...
Jason Mackey
1:54
No worries. Thanks for participating.
Jake in Caps Country
1:56
Hey Jason. I'm starting to become genuinely worried about Matt Murray. He's the first Pens jersey I ever bought, and easily my favorite player. When do we need to be wholesale worried about him actually living up to his star level play again? Would break my heart to see him come back to normalcy after such a hot start to his career.
Jason Mackey
1:57
I wouldn't get worried yet, Jake. Save that jersey. Matt's issue lately, in my opinion, is mental. He's been down on himself. His confidence has lacked. He appeared different yesterday. I think he's itching to get back in there. I don't worry about him playing well long-term. I worry about his ability to stay healthy, but I think he'll bounce back from this.
Bob
1:57
Have you stopped by the arena to buy your new Gold Jersey yet?
Jason Mackey
1:57
I stopped by the arena this morning for the skate. Not to buy a gold jersey. Don't have the $250 to throw around.
Jon
1:57
No question here - just a comment. I grew-up in PGH and was a 10game season ticket in Section E at the igloo in 8th grade. Coming “home” next week and taking our daughter to Wednesday game before the holiday. That game is a great tradition. Cannot wait.
Jason Mackey
1:58
That's great. I have so many memories of going to games at the Igloo with my dad, too, especially when I was home for the holidays. This time of year always brings back those (awesome) memories.
Harold
1:58
I was not sorry to see Hagelin go - $4 million with no offensive production on the second line was not acceptable.  Not sure I love the Pens taking on another player with term for another 2 years though.  Hopefully they will not regret that.
Jason Mackey
1:59
Yeah, it's kind of a gamble, especially for a guy who has done NOTHING this year. But in fairness, Pearson also hasn't been playing in a system that suits him or with centers anywhere near the caliber of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Norm
1:59
I think the disdain some Pens fans have towards Jack Johnson is misplaced.  He is awfully strong along the boards, makes smart outlet passes, and is a defensive presence in front of the net.  I think those attributes make up for average at best foot speed.
Jason Mackey
2:01
If Johnson is being used how he should be used -- third pair, not next to Kris Letang -- he's fine. He's also fine at $3.25 million per season. In my opinion, the thing that really grinds peoples' gears is the length of contract -- five years. I get it. It's long. But you're forgetting a couple things: There are a lot of GMs in the league who make bad personnel moves all the time and may easily take that, and it could also work out. Regardless, you cross that bridge when you get there. For now, play him where he's best-suited.
Shane Macgowan
2:01
Lack of speed? I'm not buying it. More like lack of passion. Now where's the pub?
Jason Mackey
2:01
I don't know if you mean bar or publicity, but I'm going to assume it's the former.
Gerard
2:01
The prevailing thought before the season seemed to be that the Pens were deep in forwards and defensemen.  Now one defenseman goes down (Schultz) and one forward (Brassard) and the team doesn't seem to have an answer.  Was the depth just on paper?
Jason Mackey
2:02
Nah, I don't think the people we all thought were going to produce have. Did anyone expect Hagelin to get one goal in 16 games? The same for Bryan Rust and Riley Sheahan? Heck no. Anybody expect Murray to struggle the way he has? There's been a lot of underachieving. That, more than anything, has affected the depth if you ask me.
Ryan
2:02
Without naming names, any surprise off-the-record answers to player's least favorite places to play?
Jason Mackey
2:02
It's not a surprise, but everybody hates Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the one typing this included.
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