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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.13.18
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Jason Mackey
1:25
I don't understand your logic, Cassandra. I would understand re-signing DeSmith ... and for him, I think it might be a pretty good opportunity. Plenty of offense here. Starter might be hurt ... has suffered through poor performance. Of course, like you said, if he's gonna get paid, then obviously he's going to do that. But we don't know for sure whether that's going to happen. Re: Jarry, I think the organization is a little fed up that his development has slowed, and he tends to space out for periods of games. He's sort of the opposite of consistent at this point. Maybe that changes and they view him as the goalie of the future, but we're not at that point.
Steven
1:25
With Sprong doing his usual gig of looking great in his first game in a new situation before regressing to his mean of having no offensive IQ, when will the ridiculous idea that Sullivan hated him go away?
Jason Mackey
1:25
I'm not sure, but I've got a pretty good sense of how you feel about Sprong, Steven.
AlJohn
1:26
What is up with this team? It seems that they can’t get on a roll or sting a bunch of good wins together. I realize it was the blackhawks last night who we never beat but they aren’t the hawks of old, we really should have beat them. Also, has Malkin been body snatched?
Jason Mackey
1:27
Yeah, the reason Evgeni Malkin hasn't been since in a while, eh? They need to figure that out. Also, you said it and they've said, they can't see to get total traction. It sort of defies logic. Just such a malaise last night. Blackhawks absolutely out-worked them. That shouldn't happen given what the Penguins have already been through.
Rutbuster
1:27
Why has there not been any criticism laid on good old GMJR by the media such as yourself? His FA moves have been awful the past two years. Just because he is chummy with the media shouldn't skew your objectivity.
Jason Mackey
1:28
I'm a beat writer, not a columnist. Sometimes I analyze things, but if I can't prove it with numbers, it's not really my job to provide takes. Occasionally I do a little more, but I think you're looking for something like this, no? Here's a column from Joe Starkey that I'm guessing you missed: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2018/11/14/Joe-Starkey...
JC
1:28
You mention Tomlin and Sullivan are in no danger of losing their job, I understand Sullivan not because this is the first bad stretch since his losing
Guest
1:30
There’s been rumblings the Pens might be in for trades for muzzin or Pietrangelo you think it’d work?
Jason Mackey
1:31
For accuracy's sake, Friedman wrote that he could see the Penguins checking on Muzzin, and the Hockey News listed the Penguins as a potential destination for Pietrangelo. ... I don't think either is even close to possible.
JC
1:31
You mention tomlin and Sullivan being safe, but why? I mean I understand Sullivan but tomlin should have been let go a long time ago.
Jason Mackey
1:32
I can't speak to Tomlin. I just go by what Ed and Gerry report. As for Sullivan, it's because his boss has zero interest in firing him and has told me as much. I'm pretty comfortable with the source.
RandomHockeyGuy
1:33
Do you believe Sullivan and Rutherford are truly satisfied with the play of Jack Johnson, or are simply avoiding saying anything negative because, well, there's enough negative evidence on Johnson's game already?  His advanced stats (Corsi, Scoring Chances against, etc) are as bad as they have been historically, and he has been on the ice for more goals than any other Penguins defenseman at even strength, with almost 100 less minutes than Letang/Dumoulin.  Really seems like Hunwick 2.0 that GMJR is going to have to find a way to fix.
Jason Mackey
1:35
Yeah, I honestly think that they extremely happy with him ... and he's been fine when he's playing third-pairing minutes. Do you commit to those guys for five years? No. But I'm not going to preemptively crush GMJR for a long contract that has to this point had no effect on the team. Jack's a third-pair guy. Those at his age cost around $3.25 million per season. ... As long as he is where he should be, I don't see what the huge problem is here.
Facts
1:35
So much negativity after one loss, it's kinda insane. It's amazing to me that so few apparently look at advanced stats, which show the Pens playing a much, much better game than 90% of the league. Do you think advanced stats will ever become more often referenced by the audience?
Jason Mackey
1:36
I'm not sure. I don't want to criticize my readers or people who have no use for analytics. I understand them and see their value, but I also don't think they're everything. I think there are human elements to this that people overlook, too. I do think people needs to chill sometimes about the reactions to stuff -- it being soooo bad after losses. Guys and girls, it's a long season. It will be OK, I promise.
Christian
1:37
Jason, does this team need different players at certain positions or is it more so they need to play better consistently? During games and when they are playing well sometimes it still feels like their vulnerable to falling apart. Definitely not back to all the way.
Jason Mackey
1:38
I think they have the players, Christian. Or maybe I should say that they have capable players. Do they play better as a group? I don't have a crystal ball. But I don't think that GMJR has assembled rotten team. ... It's a challenge with Brassard. Injuries have hurt, too. Evgeni Malkin is on another planet at the moment. Those really aren't 100-percent roster issues, only part.
J
1:38
Tanner Pearson is an ok player, but he's a third line player who looks out of place with Phil and Geno. Phil and Geno look pretty bad together without Hagelin in there doing all the dirty work. I'd rather see Rust on that line as a poor man's Hagelin. What do you say?
Jason Mackey
1:39
I'd be fine with that. I did like Rust with Sheahan and ZAR, though. The problem with playing Rust on the second line -- and again, I think you have a point -- is that he's going to see tougher matchups. Part of why Rust has been what he's been is because he can usually take advantage of those third-line matchups.
JC
1:39
Hi Jason thank you for your articles I have been looking for a authentic Mexican Restaurant in Pittsburgh area? Any suggestions? Do you think the Pens go for big name by trade are they looking D or a top 6 guy or both? Do you sense something big is going to happen? What is your guess or who would you like to get via trade one big trade and one smaller? Thank you Good day
Jason Mackey
1:41
It's technically Spanish, but you'll still enjoy it: Mallorca on the South Side. ... If you want fun but basic and local, my wife and I are big Mad Mex fans. ... I don't think they know, honestly. I think Rutherford is still evaluating things, seeing where Brassard might fit, if someone wants one of his extra third-pair defensemen. I also think there's a possibility they do nothing. It's tough to predict any which way at this point.
Christian
1:41
Which player has played consistently well throughout that season that hasn’t been talked about enough this year?
Jason Mackey
1:42
I don't know if there's anyone I would put in that category right now, honestly. Although Crosby has been playing some of the best hockey of his career, and we've been distracted by their team-oriented woes.
jack in NY
1:42
very disappointing loss last night. What has happened to Malkin and Kessel? they have become invisible and a liability (with penalties, defensively). Their play in the tough areas has been abysmal with giveaways, giving up on pucks etc
Jason Mackey
1:42
Can't disagree there. They've been bad together since late November.
Officer Sorrows
1:43
Marcus Pettersson has had some quality individual plays - including a few on Patrick Kane - in his time here. Are they general impressed with his play? Seems like a good return for a guy who did nothing here, could potentially be a long term LHD.
Jason Mackey
1:43
Absolutely. They've been very impressed and pleasantly surprised by him. Vensel talked to Rutherford the other day about this. Check out his story: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2018/12/11/Penguins-GM-Ji...
Jets
1:43
You seemed pretty confident Chicago was trash and that was a good game for a Murray return.   What does that mean for the Pens that they were outplayed?
Jason Mackey
1:44
It means they're not as good -- or focused -- as maybe they thought they were. A game they absolutely should not have lost last night.
Malkin_TheBeast
1:44
Hello Mackey, is your family Irish? Thanks for your advice about Malkin... but it seems it didn't work... do you see an injure involved in his poor play recently, like during practice does he seem bother by a part of his body? The evidence he's not skating as fast as we've seen him during the first month of the season... if he's only slow because he has no conviction these days... then it's good start, I mean it means he can still redeem himself and play elite like he can!
You're the best, maybe last chat before Christmas, Happy's one! ^_~
P.S. I don't know about the city of Steel, but here Quebec city, it's -15C...colddddd!
Jason Mackey
1:45
Yes, there's definitely parts of Irish. Irish and German. ... I've seen nothing to tell me Malkin has been injured. Looks the same in practice and what little we see of him after -- usually leaving the facility as we're in the dressing room.
HB
1:45
On the 3man PK who’s going to fill Coles role more Dumoulin or Johnson I’ve seen then be both there?
Jason Mackey
1:45
They've been kind of rotating. I think they would like for Johnson to do it, but Dumoulin is capable as well. I don't think they want Maatta there. That hasn't ended well.
Dave
1:45
Who do you see next for trade? We desperately need a defenseman... brassard?
Jason Mackey
1:46
Boy you guys love the trades ... TRADE EVERYONE! ... Yeah, I would think Brassard would be the next to go if they did something ... if they came to the conclusion that he's just not a fit.
Guest
1:46
I was shocked Murray didn’t start last night. Would’ve been a good chance to get him going esp since Desmith had played a lot of games in a row. What do you think was the thought process on that?
Jason Mackey
1:47
I think they wanted to get Murray maybe a little more time, maybe give him his first game back at home. I think they also just wanted to finish the trip on a positive note and not have Matt feel like he's rushing to get back. I was surprised by it, too, though.
Jerry
1:47
Hi Jason.  Something I’ve always wondered about: when the Penguins broadcasters are used for national coverage, for example the NBC NHL channel, are they aware of that? And if so, do they change anything in how they announce the game, or do they cover it the same way?  How does the network decide which team’s announcers to use?
Jason Mackey
1:47
They usually know, if they watch NHL Network, but no, they don't change anything. ... Believe they usually take the home broadcast whenever they pick up one of those games.
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