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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.29.18
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Reginald Pufta
1:24
Greeting,
Jason Mackey
1:25
Hello, Reginald.
Meredith
1:25
I loved your article about position switches! Is there video from the interviews?
Jason Mackey
1:26
No, sorry. When I do those types of things -- conversations about weird stuff -- I find it awkward to put a phone in a player's face. I really find that awkward all the time, but especially when you're trying to ask offbeat questions. I don't want our photographers jumping in because then it's no longer a one-on-one. Professional courtesy among reporters is to not bust up another person's one-on-one. So it's better for them to work elsewhere.
Mario
1:26
When is Head Coach Mike Shuffle, err, I mean Sullivan going to settle with four solid lines and quit with breaking up the lines.  I know I'm in the minority in Pittsburgh with regards to the head coach, but I believe he is inadvertently contributing to the Penguin's struggles.
Jason Mackey
1:27
I think Sullivan will calm it down with the lines as soon as he finds lines that produce. Brassard and Kessel were terrible together for most of the night and Sullivan stuck with it. Malkin's line, too.
Jeff Houston
1:27
What kind of value can we get back for Maatta and Sprong?
Jason Mackey
1:28
You might be able to get something for Maatta, but Sprong has almost none. Everybody has a player like that in their system. If anybody wanted him for a reasonable price, he'd be gone right now. He's not. The problem with Maatta -- and you guys will disagree with this -- is the organization views him as a puck-moving defenseman. They want to add to, not replace.
Savannah
1:28
What is it everyone doesn't like about Jarry and I mean by coaching staff and media alike?
Jason Mackey
1:29
I'm not aware of any such dislike among media. He's perfectly fine to deal with. Not a great quote but a very nice kid. Who said the media hates him? Dude needs to stop the puck more and play a more consistent game. That has nothing to do with liking or disliking him. He wasn't good enough last night.
The Fan
1:29
We often hear Sullivan criticize his team for not playing the right way.  I'd be curious if he has any thoughts on what coaching the right way entails:  Shuffling lines constantly, or hoping young players develop by sitting in the stands each night, perhaps?  Your thoughts please.
Jason Mackey
1:30
Another big Sullivan fan, eh? I agree with you on Sprong. I don't get it. But he actually stuck with the same lines last night for pretty much the entire game. It's weird this is coming out as a criticism right now.
Savannah
1:30
Why did Sullivan essentially set his young goaltender up for failure starting the "backup" against the best offense in the NHL? Wouldn't you have saved DeSmith for the Colorado game since he has more NHL experience?
Jason Mackey
1:31
And then you're throwing Jarry out against Patrik Laine, who had 11 goals in his previous four games, including five in the last one. You're darned if you do, darned if you don't. Fact is, they just played two really good teams. I think we're losing sight of that here.
Guest
1:31
Do you sense given the relatively poor performance of all the Pens goaltenders that GMJR will be out searching for a veteran to bring in?
Jason Mackey
1:31
He could, but it would be nothing more than insurance should they want Jarry to work more in the AHL. That's possible. But I don't see GMJR acquiring someone to be the starter. No need. Casey has been fine.
James
1:31
any defenceman you think they could realistically grab?  Seems like a lot of high-priced guys out there like Alzner
Jason Mackey
1:33
They definitely should not grab Karl Alzner. That would be bad. I'd go for that Karlsson guy in San Jose. Maybe Doughty from L.A., too. They seem pretty good.
Remember me
1:33
When Guentzel was first promoted to the Pens, he received a regular shift as Malkin's left wing?  And he scored, if you recall.  So why the reluctance to not give Sprong the same opportunity-is there a personality problem?
Jason Mackey
1:34
For one, Sprong doesn't play left wing. But, yeah, I think Guentzel and Sprong are thought of entirely differently by the coach. You can disagree, and that's fine. You may be right. But Sullivan, for myriad reasons, has never been too keen on giving Sprong meaningful minutes.
Jones
1:34
Fun drinking game:  Take a drink every time Olli Maatta mishandles / flubs the puck during a game.  You will be tanked by the 2nd intermission.
Jason Mackey
1:35
I should drink every time someone in this chat complains about Olli Maatta or Jack Johnson being the root of all evil. I'd be tanked by 1:20 every Thursday.
Bryan R.
1:35
What is the NHL single-season record for highest "posts-hit : goals-scored" ratio?
Jason Mackey
1:35
However many you end up with the end of the season, Rusty. So, did the snake bite hurt? What kind? Hopefully not poisonous.
T
1:36
What is going on with that 3rd line? I say trade brassard doesn’t seem like he does much or even wants to play for the pens
Jason Mackey
1:37
I would ride it out a little longer to see if he fits with Kessel. If he doesn't, I think you have to move him. You've tried everything, right? I think Brassard is a very good hockey player. But I'm starting to think he might not fit here. The sample size isn't all that small.
Guest
1:37
Sullivan seems to love his grinders, like he was as a player. Seems to be completely antithetical to how we played in 2016 when we rolled four lines that has some offense. There must be better option in WBS than Wilson, ZAR and Grant. Di Pauli has been playing well and has speed, Blueger, Lafferty, Militec...why not try a few quicker options with better hands?
Jason Mackey
1:38
I don't disagree with part of your premise. I would like to see Di Pauli get a chance. He's really playing well right now. But I think it's a misconception that the Penguins are slow because of guys like Wilson and Grant. It's bigger than that. It's how they're getting out of their own zone. But, yeah, Sullivan does value what those guys bring. Most hockey coaches do. They're safe options.
Max
1:39
Remember when Sprong and malkin were on the ice for 30 seconds together in Vancouver and had two really great scoring opportunities one of which went in? Is Sullivan just being stubborn at this point?
Jason Mackey
1:40
I guess. But what's the line between stubborn and principled? Sullivan wants his guys to play a certain way. That way won two Cups in three years. Sprong doesn't play that way. Maybe the player could change a little, too.
Lemieux67
1:40
The Sprong trade talk has died down and he has played much better in the limited 4th line minutes given (when he plays) so does he stay or go? What’s the next move GMJR makes?
Jason Mackey
1:40
I think it depends a lot on what GMJR gets for Sprong. I don't think his phone has been blowing up, but you never know. That will determine whether Sprong stays or goes.
Bruce
1:41
Dea got sent to Wilkes.
Jason Mackey
1:41
Thank you for that.
Guest
1:41
Do you agree that Sullivan dislikes Sprong’s for reasons that are not directly related to his play on the ice? If so, why? It just seems that other young players can make mistakes with impunity and still play while Sprong gets benched. Yes, he’s not ready for the NHL but the situation is what it is and the Pens need to work harder at developing him and play him more. We don’t have anyone else like him in the organization
Jason Mackey
1:43
The Daniel Sprong questions just keep on comin' ... No, I don't think it's personal with Sullivan and Sprong. I think Sullivan thinks Sprong's game is deficient, which it is. Would other coaches live with Sprong's shortcomings? Possibly. I don't think Sullivan is one of them. ... I do think Sprong has a different grading scale because he doesn't add a ton in terms of defense, physicality, etc. So any little thing, yeah, Sullivan does get on him and maybe unnecessarily so. But players have to earn a coach's trust. Sprong hasn't done that. I get the quality of linemates, and that's legit. It's a Catch 22.
Max
1:43
How do you think Rutherford and the rest of the team feel about Sullivan’s personnel decisions?
Jason Mackey
1:44
I think they're mostly OK with them. I do think Jim would like to see Sprong play and be given a chance to do something, if for no other reason than to score a couple goals so he can trade him, get something and be done with this.
Daniel
1:44
I just reviewed my coach's, I mean HCMS' career NHL Stats.  He was a minus 105 in his career.  Why was he allowed to play but guys like me, i mean Sprong have to sit in the stands?
Jason Mackey
1:45
Because it's about more than plus/minus. Piece of advice, Daniel Next time you play: Just fire the damn puck from everywhere. Score. Make him play you. It's like in baseball. Dude can be the worst fielder ever. If he's gonna hit, the manager has to find a place to play him. Sprong needs to force Sullivan to be OK with his all-around game. He hasn't done that.
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