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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.13.18
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Jason Mackey
12:55
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat. Let's get this thing started ...
james
12:57
Could DeSmith be a valuable trade chip?  I know it's risky but you need to see if Murray can be your goalie going forward
Jason Mackey
12:58
I really don't think so, James. I could see them trading Jarry before DeSmith. They've been really happy with Casey. Matt is a bit of an unknown at this point. The feeling on Jarry is that he's still not ready. With Casey being as cheap as he is, you keep guys like that around.
Steven
12:58
What is the plan going forward with Bill Guerin? I don't have a particularly high opinion of him, given the rosters he's created in the AHL as well as his mishandling of the veteran rule this year (which lead to the Elliott/Sexton trade). Does the organization think highly of him as a potential replacement?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I don't think so, Steven. I don't think the organization has anything against Guerin, per se; however, if Rutherford were to leave, I really don't think Guerin would be the replacement. I think they would conduct a search. I think they think Guerin still has some work to do before he's ready. I also don't think GMJR is anywhere near ready to leave, either.
Hockey Fairy Princess
1:01
Hi Jason. Love your work.  I’m a relatively new hockey/Penguins fan, so maybe I’m missing something, but I’m puzzled how the Head of the Department of Player Safety for the NHL (George Parros) can have a stake in a company called Violent Gentlemen which sells a hat that says “Make Hockey Violent Again”.  And, don’t get me wrong, I like a decent/justifiable hockey fight just like any HFP, but this just seems like bad optics for the NHL. Don’t you think it’s ironic that the person responsible for player safety also has a stake in a company which sells products promoting more violence in hockey? But, maybe this is the explanation for some of the decisions that come out of that department.  Just wondered if you knew about this connection and what you thought about it. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
1:03
I can't imagine Parros has any stake left in the company, which is sort of detailed here: https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/ex-nhler-parros-focuses-on-violent.... However, I think it's fair obvious how big of a misstep this is for the NHL. Having one of your biggest goons run the Player of Safety? It almost seems like a joke, except it's not. Of course Parros sees some things as perfectly OK that others would deem criminal. I can't give you a good explanation, honestly, other than the league is woefully behind the times with injury stuff and how it promotes itself, and this is a big part of that. Why not have a three-person panel? Or at least someone who practiced good sense while he played? It's nuts.
Doley
1:03
I realize it's a long season and you can't play each game like a Game 7. But what's the process for choosing not to put forth an effort, like last night? It is a collective decision, is it more left up to each guy individually, etc?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Ha. I don't think they plan it, believe me. It's the same as it is for all of us. I don't wake up Tuesday and say, 'I'm going to write like crap Friday.' Sometimes it just happens. Over the course of 82, you're going to have bad ones. The problem with the Penguins this season is they've happen more frequently than is acceptable, and they're simply not able to string anything together. Last night was just sloppy. Too many defensive miscues, careless managing the puck, like the other team just wasn't going to do anything to them, and they got burned.
Kim
1:05
What is going on with the power play units? It use to be we could almost guarantee a score on it and now it's like holding your breathe hoping the other team won't score a shortie?  Which coach is responsible for it? Recchi?  And why not play a second defenseman with Letang on the first pp unit?
Jason Mackey
1:07
It is mostly Sullivan, BTW, with some input from Gonchar. Their biggest issue, to hit one of your points, is too many passes/making things overly complicated. There's a lot of skill, sometimes these guys can be their own worst enemies. As for adding an extra defensemen, it's a good question, especially with Hornqvist out. Sullivan has said it's because they believe in the No. 1 group, which is sort of obvious. I think they think they can get by without ... and probably need the offensive production that using Guentzel > Maatta would bring.
Icing Man
1:07
Steelers lose to an awful team and might miss the playoffs, and many call for the head coach to be fired.
Jason Mackey
1:07
Where's your question, Icing Man?
james
1:07
How will the pens cope with Hornquist on IR?  What do you see the lines as?
Jason Mackey
1:10
I wouldn't change anything. I'm not sure you could: 19-87-59 ... 14-71-81 ... 46-15-17 ... 38-7-39. ... I like Rust in a third-line role, and I'd rather have Brassard at wing. I wanna see if Sheahan can be my third-line center or if I'm going to have to go get one of those again.
Icing Man
1:10
Should we expect Sullivan to come under similar criticism as Tomlin, given the Pens play to date?
Jason Mackey
1:11
People have been critical of Sullivan all season. Some of it is reasonable -- nobody should be above criticism given how things have gone -- and some of it is not. But like Tomlin, Sullivan is in absolutely, positively no danger of losing his job this season.f
RandomHockeyGuy
1:11
While the team is tied for 3rd in the Metro, the just lost to a badly struggling team playing who played the night before, and still continue to make the same mistakes from early in the season.  Any sense that Rutherford is again frustrated/disappointed, and looking to do something else with the roster to try and get this team going in right direction?
Jason Mackey
1:13
I don't know if I would characterize it is "frustrated" or "disappointed," but I do think Jim is watching close because there could be some areas where his team is deficient. Getting something from Rust changes things quite a bit, so that's good. But there's not exactly a trade to make that will guarantee them getting their heads out of their [butts] against the worst team in the league. That's not something you can fix with a move.
Kolin
1:13
Do you think the pens are over the brassard trade? Are they ready to give him up?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I think they're looking critical at where he fits on this team, if it all. I think that's why you saw a lot of him with Kessel, which didn't work. Now him at wing. I don't think they're at the NOT A FIT stage. It's more MIGHT NOT BE A FIT, and we're going to find out here in the next little while, if that makes sense.
Guest
1:14
Any fun stories from the Dads trip? I noticed a woman in the group pic the pens posted. Was there a mom on the trip?
Jason Mackey
1:15
Not that I saw, and I wasn't in Chicago. So, I'm sorry, but I don't know if I'm much help. It was cool to see all of them outside the dressing room at Nassau Coliseum, having a beer or two (the dads, not the players) and celebrating a win with their kids.
Guest
1:15
Have you you been liking brass - sid - Guentz ?
Jason Mackey
1:15
I like it, actually. I'm not willing to punt on it because of one crappy game for the whole team. I'd go right back to it on Friday.
MA
1:15
How do you solve a problem like Geno?
Jason Mackey
1:16
There's only so much you can do, although I would keep Phil there. I think they both want that, and I'm gonna hope that helps him snap out of whatever this is. And I'd also make sure he's healthy.
dave
1:16
I can't take Malkin anymore.  On the GWG last night, he actually SKATED AWAY from the guy that made the pass!  He takes dumb penalties, makes lazy passes that get intercepted, and now, he's not even scoring.  There have been at least 3 or 4 losses this season that have resulted from one of his mistakes.  If it would insult him too much to make him a healthy scratch, what can they do?
Jason Mackey
1:17
Just ride it out. I hear ya, Dave. He was terrible last night. I think Sullivan probably needs to sit him down, talk to him and find out what's going on, too. Is he healthy? If he is, he needs to take waaaay more ownership than he has and play much more of a responsible style. What he's done the past couple isn't gonna work.
HC
1:17
What strategic benefit was there to have Derek Grant on the ice last evening with under 3 minutes in the game and the Pens down by one?
Jason Mackey
1:18
None whatsoever, IMO. But I don't coach the team. Sullivan likes Grant and thinks he does a good job forcing turnovers, playing a responsible game, etc.
FR
1:18
Hey Mackey.  Do you have any indication that Sullivan may be thinking of making any lineup changes or bringing up players from Wilkes Barre or sitting some players?
Jason Mackey
1:18
I have no indication of that, no.
Guest
1:18
What becomes of the 3C situation if Brassard stays on the Sid line?
Jason Mackey
1:19
I think they would see if Sheahan could fill the void. If he can't, maybe they give Dea or Blueger a shot. But most likely they would have to go out and get somebody, perhaps for one of their defensemen. Because of money, that would probably have to be Maatta or Oleksiak.
matt
1:20
casey has been a nice surprise. But he has only won 4 games out 9 when games are decided by two or less goals...he is great very solid on medium and low danger shots, and can make an amazing save or two a game....but do you really believe the penguins cam make a playoff run with him....i think they need to give murray a half dozen starts in row and let him regain his confidence...thoughts
Jason Mackey
1:21
Is this Matt Vensel? He loves that first stat you just cited on DeSmith. Assuming it's not ... they need to start Murray and go from there. Yes, I'd like to say you allocate a chunk of starts to Murray to get right and make sure he's OK for the playoffs, but if you give him six starts and he stinks and loses all six, there might not be playoffs. My feeling is you play him this weekend, see what happens, then see how your goaltending shakes out. No sense looking too far ahead here.
Mike
1:21
Are the Penguins interested in trading for Jonathan Quick?
Jason Mackey
1:22
He makes $5.8 million per season ... so, no.
Cassandra
1:23
Already starting with the trade Jarry talk I see?The Pens are honestly quite low on goaltending prospects since Gus is in Ottawa via the useless Brassard trade for one.Secondly DeSmith is an UFA who’s more than proven he can be a number 1 so why would he sign a deal to stay with the Pens unless he knows he will eventually the starter since Murray is out every 3 weeks with mysterious ailments.For someone you said isn’t ready Jarry won 14 games basically being a fish out of water and has actually worked on improving his game unlike some folks.
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