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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 11.8.18
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Jason Mackey
12:57
Hi folks. Welcome to my weekly Penguins chat. Let's get started. Fire away ...
Guest
1:00
Is it trade season in Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
1:00
I think we're getting dangerously close. There's a sense around the league that Jim really wants to do something. I think all that's stopping it at this point is doing something incredibly stupid. Wouldn't be at all surprised, though, is GMJR did something soon.
Lord of Carson
1:01
Hi Jason.  This team badly needed an infusion of speed and 4th line help.  A Duclair was there for the taking, but JR got misty and signed "Dad" for the same money. Then the JJ headscratcher. Since the Reeves trade, JR has been on a cold streak. Hunwich, Niemi, giving away Pouliet, Brassard.etc isn't that possibly the biggest issue the Pens face?  A GM off the rails a bit?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I think it's fair to question all of those moves, although I don't know if I'm OK saying GMJR has gone off the rails. He's missed on some guys, yeah. Hunwick and Niemi weren't good enough. I think it's too early to draw any substantive conclusions with Johnson and Cullen, although I'm well-aware that how they're playing now isn't helping. The Reaves signing should be excluded. I think GMJR wanted what Vegas did with Reaves. I'm not sure his coach agreed. ... Similarly with Brassard, it's my understanding that Rutherford wanted to keep Cole, but Sullivan really liked Brassard, didn't care much for Cole, and thought Brassard was the move the Penguins had to make. Tough to crush the GM over that one.
MA
1:03
What changes if any do you foresee GMJR actually making?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I could see him giving more guys in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a chance, someone like Teddy Blueger. Maybe you find a suitor for Daniel Sprong. Maybe you trade someone like Rust, Hagelin (contract year) or Maatta because they might have external value. ... I could try on Brassard, too. That would depend on the mystery injury. There's lots of places Jim can tweak.
HB
1:04
Sorry people were being rude to you last night I appreciate your unbiased reporting. But I dont think malkin was trying to hurt oshie he was going for a reverse check that the caps do all the time.
Jason Mackey
1:05
Thanks, HB. People are allowed to have their opinions. I'm cool with that. But, no, that's not how journalism works. You're objective. You're not fans. You can't be fans. I'm a fan of other teams and other sports ... and I'm a fan of good stories ... but I'm not a Penguins "fan" the way yinz folks are. I understand how you think -- or at least I like to think I do -- but I can't treat the team the same.
1:06
OK, off my soap box ... I don't think he was either. But he did raise his arm/elbow/shoulder, and he hit Oshie in the head. If you're gonna get serious about head injuries, you have to take that stuff out. You can't legislate intent, at least not in the middle of the game, IMO. But you can show that you mean business.
Guest
1:06
Jim threw around some heavy threats. How soon until we see a move? And will it be major? Seems like he really wants to shake things up.
Jason Mackey
1:07
Yeah, tough to say. If they would've laid an egg, it would've been today. I also think GMJR can't get by with making an Oleksiak-level move like he did last year after threatening a shakeup. They played decent last night. Maybe he doesn't do anything until after Saturday. It probably depends on the offers he's looking at, and I don't know those. But he has to be seriously considering everything.
Jeff
1:07
At Sid's age now, dont u think its time to get him 2 legit tp 6 wingers? And I kno the famous quote that Sid can only play with certain guys but when ...
Jason Mackey
1:09
I think they know they need to get a right winger to play with Sid. I think coming into the season, there was some optimism that Sprong could be that guy. That's gone. Hornqvist is fine, but it's not an all-the-time thing. Probably same for Simon and Rust. They're fine with Jake Guentzel on the left side, but if GMJR makes a move, I would expect "right winger for Sid" is one thing he'll look at.
Mike
1:09
Who would be the most likely traded if that were to happen in your opinion?
Jason Mackey
1:10
Maybe Sprong, although they might not get takers. ... I could see moving Olli. He might be No. 1. The speed ... and you might want a little differently personality back there. ... Wouldn't rule out Brassard, either, Sheahan, Rust, Hagelin. ... I would really hate to trade Hagelin -- I think he's so valuable to this team -- but they can backfill that spot decently with ZAR, I think. And Hagelin will have the most value externally. Plus, he's a UFA after this year. They could get something before losing him.
Christian
1:10
This season feels a lot like last season as far as the lack of defense, motivation, and puck management. I know it’s early but at the same time it just feels like the team will get the same results. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:11
In a way I agree, Christian. The focus isn't there, and they've screwed up with that stuff and more. But I think it's different in the sense that it happened again. Why? And I think GMJR is to the point of not wanting to take it. Last year they had a long summer as the excuse. This time, nothing. That it's happening again is why it's different, if that makes any sense.
Guest
1:11
During the radio interview GMJR said that someo f the guys have been together too long.... who is he talking about here?
Jason Mackey
1:12
I would imagine the group that has won two Cups ... Sid, Geno, Phil, Hornqvist, Rust, Hagelin, Maatta, Murray, etc. As I said before, though, I think you're trade candidates are probably Olli, Sprong, Brassard, Sheahan, Rust and Hagelin, in that order.
HB
1:12
Was there buzz for Johnson in free agency or did we outbid ourselves.
Jason Mackey
1:13
There was. Some anyway. They were bidding against Anaheim and Detroit, although it's my understanding those two may have gone higher, either in years or dollars. Johnson liked it here, with Sid and Sullivan and felt he could resuscitate his career in Pittsburgh.
A
1:13
Hey Jason - You voiced your agreement with Mike Sullivan's argument a week or so ago that it was still early and therefore everyone should pump the brakes on criticism of Jack Johnson. Considering that Matt Cullen's underlying numbers are also worse across the board from last  season in Minnesota, when have enough games been played that the still early excuse no longer holds muster?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I think it's unfair to hammer either guy until at least 20 or so games into the season, a quarter of the way through. There's time. And let's remember that it's not like the rest of the defense or bottom-six are setting the world on fire. They have company. They're just being criticized because of length of contract and age. Some of which is fair, I get it, but I still think we should let this play out more.
Matt in Cleveland
1:14
Does Sullivain stick with DeSmith on Saturday?
Jason Mackey
1:15
Yeah, I think so. If he's gonna play the "whomever gives us the best chance to win," ... well, Casey did that better than Matt had the previous four games.
Jerry
1:15
What are your thoughts on the early dismissals of the LA and Chicago coaches?
Jason Mackey
1:16
I think Chicago is ridiculous. Some of the stuff Stan Bowman has done is crazy ... and you're going to make Joel Quenneville pay for it? I'm a little more OK with L.A., just because I've never been a huge John Stevens fan. But I think the Kings are flawed, too. ... I thought the Blackhawks thing stunk out loud.
Sidthegoat
1:16
If and when Rutherford makes some deals who can we see going?
Jason Mackey
1:17
Have gotten this a few times ... Sprong if they get takers ... maybe Maatta. I think Sheahan and Brassard could be considered. ... Hagelin because he's in a contract year, although it's tough because he means so much to them. ... Perhaps Rust, although it's unlikely.
RPK
1:17
Hardly a solid forecheck to be seen.  Will we ever see one again from the Pena?
Jason Mackey
1:18
It wasn't bad last night. I thought overall they were decent. Problem is they haven't earned the right to lose those games right now. Had they even split their previous four, meh, whatever, it's November. But they needed a win last night and didn't get it. That said, if they play the way they did last night, I'm not freaking out over the forecheck.
AlJohn
1:18
Also, has brassard started skating yet? For a day to day “nagging injury” he sure has been out a long time.
Jason Mackey
1:19
He has not, to our knowledge. He's day-to-day ... except for the fact that he's not so much as skated for two full weeks. All we can do is ask.
Sidthegoat
1:19
Mike Sullivan isn’t on the hot seat right? Would be very surprised and disappointed if he goes. But do you feel his voice is getting old in the locker room
Jason Mackey
1:20
No, Sullivan isn't on the hot seat. I don't think that's even close to on Jim's mind. Player changes would come first. It might be getting "old," but I think only because they're forcing it. They're playing like crap more often than they should be. What do they expect Sullivan to say or do? But, no, I don't think Sullivan has lost the team, to answer your question. I think they like playing for him. I just think they're having some pretty large collective struggles right now.
Uncle Dizzle
1:20
Why doesn’t Sid like playing with 72 or 81 on his RW?
Jason Mackey
1:22
I don't know if I would say "not like" but more they don't fit his game. Sid wants to play fast, straight ahead. He wants someone who can do that, too, and play low in the zone, often a small-area type of deal. Give-and-go. Simon does that. Pascal Dupuis did that. Oh, and someone who's decent in the corners. Kessel isn't. Hornqvist is OK, but his game is net-front; it forces Crosby to do more of the blue-collar work and tap into less skill. Can be more of a playmaker with Simon, and he likes that.
MA
1:22
Thanks!
Jason Mackey
1:22
My pleasure.
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