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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.05.25
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Jason Mackey
11:21
Alright, everyone. Happy Friday. Thanks so much for the schedule adjustment. Too tough with yesterday's skate. Landed a little bit ago in Dallas. Just knocked out a podcast and Sunday column. Next up, chat time. We'll get started at noon your time. Think I'm gonna grab some lunch in the meantime.
11:58
And away we go ...
janglin
11:58
Above average goaltending seems to be carrying the success of the team to date.  It feels like the team defensive effort has declined as the season has gone on.   What needs to be done to fix the defense we are seeing recently?
Jason Mackey
12:00
I would agree that goaltending has been a big part of their low goals-against numbers, more so than structural change. What can be fixed?

Playing with the puck more. Not giving teams as much time and space through the NZ. That's definitely something they did better earlier on. Taking fewer penalties would help.

I wouldn't advocate changing personnel. I like the pairs right now. Answer is probably more simple details within the system.
Sam
12:00
Hi Jason.  10 years into it, and with an absolute logjam in the East, what are your thoughts on the current NHL standings and OT systems?  I personally dislike the 3 on 3 OT anymore because it just seems so utterly different than the rest of the game, like a time of possession contest more than actual hockey.  I also am a Scrooge when it comes to the endless winding, twisting and turning in the shootouts and would love to see something like a 3.5 or 4.5 second shot clock to make it at least something like an actual breakaway.  For example, the Pens have 5 more regulation wins than the Flyers but at 5-0 in shootouts the Philly gets to be tied in the standings.  Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:02
Yeah, I get what you're saying, Sam. I've wrestled with this. I don't know if there's any magic answer or format. Are you gonna make a win worth three points? Maybe. I don't want ties. I don't think 5-on-5 OT would fix it. I don't want to see the league get too gimmicky. I'm sort of at the point of just living with the imperfection.
Titan in Charlotte
12:02
Jason, love watching this team. Still think we miss a tough physical shutdown defensive pair. Do you see any hopes they exist in the current system? If yes, how far away are they?
Jason Mackey
12:03
I mean, Clifton is physical. I wouldn't ignore that. I don't think anything will happen with the top-four. Nor should it. You're not going to have a "shutdown" third pair. The hope in WBS would be Brunicke and maybe Pickering. There are understandable concerns with those guys in 2025-26.
bkhalsa5
12:03
Is it possible that this version of the Pens will ever become a stout defensive unit? They have their moments but seem to melt under pressure.
Jason Mackey
12:05
I think they can be better than they've been certainly. Was talking to Clifton about this. They still have these random breakdowns/disjointed performances. (Obviously). They get disconnected was the word he used. I think it's possible, yes. But they're not built to be an elite defensive team.
Kevin k
12:05
Jerry’s  stock has been going up. Do we hold or do we sell?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Depends on the offer for me, Kevin. But I wouldn't be against it. They absolutely should trade Jarry and turn things over to Murashov. If the Oilers are desperate and wanna over pay, Dubas wouldn't be wrong at all for jumping on that deal.
Dan From Cleveland
12:06
Crazy game last night! Malkin looked really great on that breakaway goal utilizing speed. Why doesn’t he do the same thing in shootouts instead of his “walk up to the net” technique?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Ha. I don't know. I've wondered that myself. Why guys prefer the SLOW approach. I wanna see someone charge full speed, like they're on an actual breakaway. At this point, that's what would disrupt goalies more than anything.
Jim K in Jax
12:07
Awesome article regarding EK this morning. Is he the fastest skater on the Pens? Thanks for the awesome coverage of the team which is fun/entertaining to watch after the past few years. Love how the youth infusion helps too!
Jason Mackey
12:11
Thank you, Jim. I appreciate that. I haven't been able to find that type of stat -- like average mph. I'm continuing to look. Has to be out there. I know Karlsson has had the fastest burst, so it depends on how you want to classify speed, I suppose. Agree, though. He's been excellent, and they have been a lot of fun to watch and cover.
Jim K in Jax
12:11
At his current level of play, will Jarry be a 🐧 the whole season?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I don't see it. Dubas has consistently said he needs to think about making the Penguins better for years to come. That would involve trading someone if you have a younger & cheaper replacement. Especially if that guys (meaning Jarry) has just as much history of poor performance.
Jason
12:12
What's the latest on the Pens' ownership situation? Do you think FSG will own this team by next season?
Jason Mackey
12:13
I've heard conflicting things, Jason. I've heard it's dead. I've heard it's taking longer than expected. With no definitive conclusion, I've stayed out of it. Although I will be trying to gain more clarify in Dallas. My gut: Yes, they'll still own the team. The Hoffmann group and lack of money available worries me. Those sales have fallen through before.
Pittsburgh Punk
12:13
Love the chats, Jason! Should Dan Muse still be viewed as a bridge coach until the Pens get their new long-term guy, or is he the dude moving forward?
Jason Mackey
12:14
Oh, I'm not viewing him as a bridge guy. Shoot, I really like Muse. I think the players do, too. Nothing bridge about this.
jimmy
12:14
jason, how badly does the nhl miss having nbc as a broadcast partner??
Jason Mackey
12:14
I don't know. But I sure miss it. The entire NHL TV situation is hard to wrangle and understand.
Florida man
12:14
When Rackel and Brazeau and Acciari return, who’s out? Hayes…. Who else?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Not sure. Sadly, probably Boko. Although I'd think twice about it. Maybe Dewar or Novak. Not sure what Novak has added recently. Very not noticeable. I guess it could be Hayes, but he wouldn't be my top choice to sit.
Sam
12:15
I don't know if it's Crosby and Letang's world class reputations regarding conditioning, if it's his sillier personality, if it's the foreign language barrier, or what, but if feels like Geno never really had the same rep for preparation and dedication, but you simply can't play like he has at 39 without a high level of those things.  Is he underappreciated in that regard?
Jason Mackey
12:16
In some ways, yes. Geno isn't dogging anything. But, I mean, those guys are nuts. You can be intense and do things right, and you still aren't Sid and Letang. I just think Malkin has been a different animal in a lot of ways. How he plays. Personality. Body-type. Very much an outlier.
Florida man
12:16
if a team comes now asking for Jarry or Karlsson with a good package, what do you do?
Jason Mackey
12:16
I wouldn't trade Karlsson unless it blew me away. They don't have the same back-fill. Jarry, I wouldn't let him go for nothing. But my value line is lower.
Florida man
12:17
Seeing TB last night, pens have no chance if they keep all their slow guys in the lineup, Hayes, mantha, acciari when he returns, need speed
Jason Mackey
12:17
I'm not sure of their chances with speed, honestly. Jarry stood on his head. They should have lost the game.
demosthenes98
12:17
What's your favorite guest appearance by a member of the Grateful Dead? Jerry Garcia's pedal steel guitar in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Teach Your Children" has got to be up there, right?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Hmmm ... I like this. What are the other guest appearances? I do love Garcia's pedal steel. I'm just coming up blank thinking of other examples.
demosthenes98
12:18
So now that we're about 30% through the NHL regular season, what do you think has been the biggest non-Pens-related surprise?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I'll go with the Maple Leafs being terrible. I know I'm preaching to the choir, or something like that, but they should be a heck of a lot better.
demosthenes98
12:19
Is it more common for an NHL power-play unit to consist of four forwards and one defenseman or three forwards and two defensemen?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Anecdotally, I would say 4 forwards. But I don't know that for sure. It's an interesting question. Would take a long time to go through rosters and mark down PP time by position.
demosthenes98
12:20
What are the over/unders for 1) number of Cy Young Awards Johan Oviedo will win and 2) number of sub-.200 BA seasons for Jhostynxon García?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I don't know. I don't see either outcome, honestly.
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