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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.22.17
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ln
1:29
Does Kessel love Pittsburgh as much as Pittsburgh loves him?  And does he have a no trade clause?
Jason Mackey
1:32
Ha. I don't think anyone loves anything as much as Pittsburgh loves Phil. Honestly, I'm sure he does love it here, but I have zero read on his emotions regarding anything. He rarely talks to us, just once in the past 27 days, for about two minutes. I'm not complaining, either. Doesn't stop me from doing my job. But if I'm going to try and answer a question based on actual things I've learned about what Phil thinks ... yeah, that's just not happening. ... He does have a modified no-movement clause, yes.
Dave
1:32
Aside from the obvious issues with this team: PK, depth/role players, even strength scoring, back up goalie, Kris Letang, what else do they need to become a formidable opponent for Tampa?
Jason Mackey
1:33
I think you pretty much got it there, Dave. That should be enough, too, right? I think backup goalie is going to be OK with Jarry. I know Letang is going to come around. The PK and depth scoring are legitimate issues, in my opinion. PK needs to be OK. I'm not sure they have the bodies to get goals from their bottom two lines the way they did the past two seasons.
guest
1:34
Does Crosby have much say in who he plays with?  He seems to play well with Hornqvist but I have seen it reported that he prefers not to play with him and prefers the "kids".
Jason Mackey
1:34
Some. But ultimately it's Sullivan's call. I can backup the not loving playing with Hornqvist thing, but I can also tell you that Crosby will do anything to make the team better. This does. So that's why you're seeing it.
Jason C
1:34
Can you tell me how ZAR is progressing? What his strengths and weaknesses are? Do you think we will see Sprong & ZAR sometime in December or January with the Pen? Ty
Jason Mackey
1:35
Sprong in December, maybe ZAR in January. His development was delayed because of a wisdom teeth issue. Strengths: Physical player, good motor, decent hands, tough and smart. Weaknesses: Inconsistent (not rare for someone his age) and skating.
Jason C
1:35
Do you see the Pens making any sort of trade? In the next few months if there  lethargic play and sloppy Defense keep trending?
Jason Mackey
1:36
I do see GMJR doing something else to address their depth scoring and veteran leadership. I think they're realizing how much they missed Kunitz, Cullen, Bonino, etc. Look for a move to address those losses. One more serious than adding Riley Sheahan, who would be a perfectly fine fourth-line center but isn't giving them enough offensively at the 3C position.
dave
1:36
What would you do to fix the PK?
Jason Mackey
1:36
I'd stop giving up so many power-play goals.
Mike B
1:36
whoops got got cut off there - any trade rumors floating around? Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Jason Mackey
1:37
Don't dabble in rumors, Mike. I know the Penguins would like to address some things we've talked about -- depth scoring, veteran leadership, etc. Does that come internally? Externally? GMJR is still evaluating some, but those deficiencies are becoming clear. I'll say this: GMJR has a history of striking early, around December/January. I'd be shocked if that trend doesn't continue this season. Thank you on the wishes. Same to you and yours!
ed
1:38
Should I invest in a McKegg jersey or will I regret it at the end of this season? I know he's on a one-year contract.
Jason Mackey
1:38
I'd save your money, Ed.
Bruno
1:38
Who is your team so far in each conference?
Jason Mackey
1:39
I've been most impressed with Tampa in the East and Blues in the West. I know those are probably boring, but I'd be lying if I listed anything else. St. Louis concerns me, though, with whether the goaltending is good enough. I think eventually we're going to see Anaheim jump up and even Chicago or Nashville.
dave
1:39
Letang has been visibly frustrated on the ice during the past few games.  What do you think about giving him a little rest like they're giving Malkin?
Jason Mackey
1:40
The problem is that other times he has looked really good. I think Malkin probably has a little something. That's why it makes sense to yank him. Nothing major, mind you. Just something. As for Letang, he's missed so much time ... dude wants to play and work through it. I can't blame him for that.
Uncle Dizzle
1:40
When will the fans start suggesting to trade Crosby?
Jason Mackey
1:40
I really hope we're not there, Uncle Dizzle.
Ryan
1:41
Would you try Guentzel at C or would you play Sheahan 2lc rowney 3lc and kegg at 4lc while Geno is out
Jason Mackey
1:42
I like what they're doing. I think this will help them know what they have with Jake there. And hey, it might work. I think it would be interesting if it does. I have a pretty good read on what they have with Sheahan, and it's not a second-line center. Guentzel could be a legitimate 3C option -- as Sullivan has said plenty -- if this experiment works out. I'm intrigued by it.
Uncle Dizzle
1:42
H-A-R-R-Y is pronounced hairy, why is isn’t J-A-R-R-Y pronounced as Jairy?
Jason Mackey
1:42
I'll have to bring this up to Tristan the next time I talk to him.
Vlad
1:42
Is Guentzel playing center tonight? Either way, is there any chance of that being a longer-term move?
Jason Mackey
1:42
He is and there is. Just tackled something similar, Vlad, but I absolutely think there's a chance.
Jerry
1:42
Are Trotman and Corrado really the top 2 replacements on D from WBS?  (Not stating that you believe that.)  Is there not a top pairing defenseman down at WBS who would provide at least legitimate defensive play in his own zone?  (Obviously, I don't follow WBS closely to know who their top pairing is.
Jason Mackey
1:43
There honestly isn't, Jerry. Those two guys are the best options available. That's one of the reasons why I think GMJR should acquire a safe play here. Nobody fancy. Just someone maybe a little more responsible than either of those two when it comes to own-zone play.
Dave
1:43
No, didn’t say Cole out Pedan in, just saying Cole is the only dman that even remotely considers hitting anyone.
Jason Mackey
1:44
Oh, I misunderstood. I thought you called Cole soft. I would disagree with that. In any case, I think they might give Pedan a look soon. But they're going to need a couple injuries to make it happen. He won't displace anyone while the NHL top-six is healthy, I can tell you that.
Jerry
1:44
if Tochett could trade for a Penguin or two, who would be his first 2 choices (excluding Crosby) and what if anything would Arizona have to provide in return?
Jason Mackey
1:46
Tocchet had the best relationships with Kessel, Rust and Kuhnhackl. I could see him taking on Kuhnhackl; Tommy's game isn't a perfect fit in this system, sort of like Eric Fehr, but I think he has a lot to offer, maybe somewhere else. Honestly, Jerry, I don't know enough about Arizona to reliably answer the second part. I think the Penguins would love to get Stepan, but I'm not so sure that's happening.
AL
1:46
The focus on Reaves isn’t because people expect him to be a 20 goal guy, but because he’s proven to be as useless as those of us who were against the trade in the first place argued. We’re icing a guy who does next to nothing for what reason? JR’s pride? Crosby “feeling good”? Crosby is having one of his worst offensive stretches in his career, him “feeling good” means nothing. That the team sees a need to bring in Archibald but scratch Kuhnhackl (if Rowney is ready which he may not be) shows that they’ve identified Archie can bring something yet they scratch one of our best PKers instead of the guy that adds nothing, plays 0 special teams, and escalates the chippyness in games by fighting guys that HE has hit and angered.  Add to that the fact that a good portion of Pens fans truly believe he is a deterrent and refuse to listen to facts and reason and there’s the frustration. Sorry for the novel
Jason Mackey
1:47
That's OK. I respect your opinion. And I even agree with some of it. But I can tell you that the Penguins do not feel this way about Reaves.
Bruno
1:47
Pacioretty for Kessel. Do you do it?
Jason Mackey
1:49
Hundred times out of 100. Not because I hate Phil, but you have Daniel Sprong, a kid who's a lot like Kessel, coming along. Could flip Kessel for something else and bring in an A-plus player. But, c'mon, you think Montreal is going to do that? No way. Kessel in Montreal is a funny premise, though.
Guest
1:49
Why is it when some team's goon goes after Sid or Geno - we respond (with Reaves) by retaliating against the goon? When we should be returning the favor to the opponents star players. Pass this on to #75 - that would create a REAL deterrent.
Jason Mackey
1:49
Ha. I'll let him know. After, what, eight-plus years in the league, doing this same exact role, I'm sure he's looking for advice anywhere he can get it, especially from reporters.
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