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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.15.2018
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Flower Power
2:21
I’m sorry to bother you again but are they interested in Nylander?
Jason Mackey
2:22
Nah, I don't think there's a fit there, sorry.
Gerard
2:22
"Sullivan can't make the defend. He's tried. He can't make them care. He's tried. If they stink it up, I think it might be fair to question how they're built, but there's only so much Sullivan can do." Might you have just made an argument that the coach is less relevant than we think as it relates to Stanley Cup success?
Jason Mackey
2:23
I don't think I have. I think what I said is there's only so much Sullivan can do. A coach can change the culture, which Sullivan has. A coach can help form a new identity, which Sullivan has. A coach can implement new, better ideas, which Sullivan has. But he can't hop on the ice and play the game. The players have to take care of that part.
RPK
2:23
Jason, this team's bottom 6 makeup hasn't produced.  What's the answer?
Jason Mackey
2:24
Well, they think that it's to separate Crosby (when he's back), Malkin and Kessel and try to achieve more balance that way. Failing that, they could try to give young guys a chance, maybe someone like Teddy Blueger, or I think you could see them try to trade a defenseman for a bottom-six forward. Think about it: If they're healthy scratching Juuso Riikola, they could probably play him, and it would be fine. If they traded, say, Maatta for someone who could add some scoring punch there, I think they would be OK with whatever dropoff they absorbed on defense if it made them better in the bottom-six.
412PensFan
2:26
Do you think Hags’ subtraction from the team will be a killer???
Jason Mackey
2:26
I think it could hurt. I think everyone could take it as a negative. But I also think it could be a wakeup call. Reality is that we just don't know.
guest
2:26
did anyone get to talk to hagelin after the trade?  He must be broken hearted to not only leave here (he seemed to love it here) but to go to such a bad team.
Jason Mackey
2:27
Players did. They didn't really give a sense of his mood. Media-wise, no, nobody has been able to talk to him. In due time. ... As reporters, I think there's a certain amount of professional respect/space you want to give a guy.
Mario
2:27
You've conducted many interviews with GM Rutherford.  Who determines where the interview will take place?  Is there always food involved?  What do you guys order if you are out?  Appetizers?  Inquiring minds want to know.
Jason Mackey
2:28
Ha. Usually it's the GM's call. We usually go to lunch once  a year. Used to go more, but that's changed. Now interviews are all over the place: by phone, in his office, somewhere in the practice facility. But it's always Jim's call.
JC
2:28
Speaking of the team not performing, is it the players, the system, or the group just becoming stale? Lets face it, the bottom 6 isn't producing, but these are the same players who have produced before (Rust, Cullen, Sheahan etc.) So what do you think the real issue is? Players? Coaches? System? GM moves?
Jason Mackey
2:29
I had to be unoriginal, JC, but it's a little bit of all of that, although I don't think it's the system. I think it's the system not being executed properly. Players should be playing better. I think it's fair to question some of Jim's moves. I think Sullivan could be a little more adaptable than he's been. You can't say it's any one thing with something like this.
JR
2:29
I really think just having another top pair defender changes the entire scope of this season. I am not sure what would be available...are there any realistic options you can think of?
Jason Mackey
2:29
For a top-pair guy? No. I don't think they have the assets to make something like that happen.
2:30
OK, folks. That does it. Thanks for participating. Likely no chat next week because of Thanksgiving, but we'll certainly do this again real soon.
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