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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.30.17
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Jason Mackey
1:33
Sorry for the delay folks. The Penguins practice here in Toronto, and I have a bunch to write. I'm trying to get something online about Evgeni Malkin but will try to tackle some of these, too, at the same time. I appreciate, as always, you thinking enough of me and the Post-Gazette to spend some time here.
Jason C
1:33
Thank you for taking questions  on Thursdays it unique and awesome of you to do. Do you think GMJR will get a 3rd line Center and a back up goalie sooner rather than later? Who do you think he is Targeting?
Jason Mackey
1:34
Hi Jason. Thanks for the kind words. Second part first. Backup goalie he's going to wait and see. Not if he doesn't have to. As for 3C, yes, I do think Jim will upgrade that position. Probably related to the Cole deal. Something sneaky to watch out for, though, could be upgrading a wing spot on the third line. Heard Patrick Maroon's name tossed out in that regard today. It's interesting.
Jason C
1:45
Wow the Devs look like they could be a serious contender with this trade, does this make GMJR land a trade soon or maybe a bigger name?
NJDevils  have acquired defenseman Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round pick from Anaheim. New Jersey sends forwards Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a 2018 third-round pick to the Ducks.
Jason Mackey
1:45
I don't think GMJR is going to feel pressure at this point to play one-ups-manship with the Devils, although it does look like Ray Shero is serious.
Dave
1:45
Was hoping JR would deal Maata and not Cole, but if that’s what it will take to inject some life into this team then have at it.  What is JR hoping to address; depth scoring, 3rd line center, defense, back up goalie, could go on allllll day long?
Jason Mackey
1:46
He's looking to address depth scoring with a better third-line center option. The sleeper could be a winger who has a history of putting up points. But I think the Penguins would like to get a 3C with more offensive upside than Sheahan.
Jeff
1:46
Is Chad Ruhwedel's play surprising to you at all? Do you think that he's a Dumo 2.0 (in the sense that he stepped up into the hole that Paul Martin left) or just playing well at the moment and will regress back to his expected position as 7th D? If the latter, this has to complicate the possibility of a Cole trade, right?
Jason Mackey
1:47
I think it's independent of that, Jeff. I think Ruhwedel has been good, not great. He plays the minutes he should, on the pairing he should. And he's smart. You'll never see Ruhwedel try something he's incapable of doing. Have to respect that about him.
OHIO412FAN
1:47
Jason, with the Penguins battling up and down play, is this team still capable of three-peating? Does this roster have enough depth and skill to grt
Jason Mackey
1:47
Yes. I have no questions whether or not they have the talent to threepeat. Can they put that all together? There's your question. But there's enough talent there.
Dave
1:47
Who is the next potential piece that JR is considering to move?
Jason Mackey
1:48
They shopping/listening to offers for Ian Cole. Doesn't mean GMJR will do anything, but there's definitely a sense that something will happen sooner rather than later.
OHIO412FAN
1:48
jason, with the Penguins season being most disappointing and up and down thus far, is this team still capable of three-peating? Does this team have the depth and skill to pull it through? Why not call up Sprong and Aston-Reese? At this point in the season, what needs to be improved most on for this team?
Jason Mackey
1:49
They need more depth scoring. Aston-Reese isn't at all ready. He's only a name most fans remember from the preseason, so that's why they want him up here, but he's not ready. Sprong's a little bit different. Dude can score. They need scoring. I'm surprised they haven't gone that route yet.
OHIO412FAN
1:49
Will JR make anymore trades? I know they are trying to trade Cole, what are they looking for in return for him? A Center? Forward? Depth?
Jason Mackey
1:50
I don't have a crystal ball, nor would I know what to do with one if I did. But I think, as I said, that GMJR will consider what he can get for Cole. He's doing that right now. If it's good, he'll move him for someone who can address their depth scoring issues.
Dave
1:50
Doesn’t trading Cole now go against JR’s win now mantra? Depending on what they get back and considering his last two attempts Sheahan and Pidan looks like JR is trending in the wrong direction? In Pidan’s defense, he really hasn’t gotten a look so I will give him a pass till I see some of his work.
Jason Mackey
1:51
I don't think so, Dave. It's all about appropriating assets, right? They have Ruhwedel. They can afford to move Cole. They wouldn't trade, say, Rust because they don't have anyone else who can score right now among the bottom-six. I like Ian Cole a lot as a player and a person. But he's a UFA after the season. It's not a great situation between him and Sullivan. Cole's attractive to other teams. So see what you can get for him. It's not waving the white flag.
Cosmo
1:51
I've heard tv announcers mention the "off wing", what does that mean?
Jason Mackey
1:51
If a player is a right-handed shooter playing on the left side or vice-versa.
Cosmo
1:52
Since the penguins rarely retire #s, should they have a hall of honor similar to what the Steelers have set up? There are many deserving players who could be recognized.
Jason Mackey
1:53
I believe they have something similar, although it's probably not as formal. But believe me, with the history the Penguins have, I would be completely on board with celebrating it more in an organized fashion. But I think they do do a tremendous job with past players, past teams, etc., how much they pay tribute to that stuff.
Pens4Life
1:53
I've always been curious about how trades work. Does JR confer with Sullivan before pulling the trigger on a deal? For example, did he get coach's input before bringing Reaves here? Or does he just do what he thinks is best for the team without consulting the coaching staff because he's the GM?
Jason Mackey
1:54
They talk. Jim, like Mike, gathers input. But Mike knows that Jim has the final cal. Jim also talks to his staff -- Guerin, Karmanos, Ventura, etc. ... This has been put to me many times as one of Jim's biggest strengths: his ability to seek input from all sides, then arrive at a decision. Definitively, too. That's an important trait to have.
Pens4Life
1:54
Shopping for another goalie, or do we ride DeSmith for the time being and hope he works out?
Jason Mackey
1:54
The latter.
Pens4Life
1:54
In this era of 'fake news' claims, how do reporters like yourself deal with presenting facts you get from sources, while there is denial from key players in the organization. Perfect example is the impending trade of Cole, which has been confirmed by several reputable reporters, but Head coach MS continues to claim they're not true?
Jason Mackey
1:55
I know where I got the stuff on Cole. Sullivan can say what he wants publicly. I'm tremendously confident in who told me what. Again, nothing I wrote said a trade was imminent. Just that they were trying to do.
Pens4Life
1:55
I've always enjoyed your reporting and have wondered - have there ever been difficult personalities in any locker room you've covered? I know there are some athletes who hate talking to reporters and are generally unfriendly anyway. If so, any chance I could persuade you to name any?
Jason Mackey
1:56
No. Honestly, hockey players are some of the best humans you'll encounter. Do they all love talking to the media? Heck no. I'm not stupid. But they're all respectful of our jobs, and that is very much appreciated. Especially the Penguins. Bunch of very, very good guys. Quiet, some of them. But very good human beings.
Pens4Life
1:56
Saw Starkey's column yesterday about resigning Hornqvist immediately. Any chance that's possible, or will he be too expensive?
Jason Mackey
1:57
If I was Hornqvist, I would want to go to July 1 and see what I could get. If I was GMJR, I'd want to do it now to avoid that. I do think they'll make an effort. Whether they can pull it off or not is tough to say.
Pens4Life
1:57
Given the Cole situation and the talk of his departure due to salary cap issues, does the possibility of Kessel being shopped emerge this offseason as well? Sure hope not. He's been amazing.
Jason Mackey
1:58
Yeah, that's an interesting one. It might depend on Sprong. And coming into this season, I said a lot that it would make sense to explore dealing Kessel after this season. After how good and consistent Kessel has been, I might walk that one back.
HB
1:58
im going to miss ian cole was one of my favorite defeseman on the team even if we werent going to resign him he helps on pk that doesnt really kill anything.
Jason Mackey
1:58
We're all going to miss Ian Cole.
Alex
1:58
So what is the absolute minimum a team would have to give up for Kessel?
Jason Mackey
1:58
I'm sorry, Alex. I don't have a strong sense of the market for Phil, simply because the Penguins are absolutely not trading him right now. In the offseason, I suppose, but again, with the way he's playing, that's going to be tough to do.
HB
1:59
people want JR to trade for another 3rd line center but if they do complete that trade would it include or exclude riley shenan
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