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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.13.18
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sz in az
2:06
Craig Morgan had an interesting article in The Athletic about the effect the loss of Jason Demers, possibly for the season, has had on the Coyotes. They were on an upward swing when he was injured, and have been trending downward since. He noted that the loss threw their whole D-corps into chaos, and they haven't been able to find pairings that clicked, plus it's had an effect on the locker room. Do you think the loss of Justin Schultz for such a long time has had the same effect on the Pens? When he was hurt, things seemed to be clicking really well, and they have just kind of fallen into inconsistency since then.
Jason Mackey
2:08
Schultz was hurt in the fourth game of the season, so I think I might pump the brakes on the "clicking really well" and "fallen into inconsistency since then" sort of talk. They played a high-scoring game on opening night, a stinker against Montreal a couple nights later, a pretty decent game against Vegas, then he was hurt. No trends had developed any which way. ... Do I think they've been hurting since the loss of Schultz? Absolutely. He's a $6 million-a-year offensive defenseman. Every team in the league is gonna struggle to address that sort of loss.
Guest
2:09
Do you think JR and Sullivan see what the rest of us do—that this team is not a true contender for a Cup? They might eke into the POs because the Metro is so bad but they’ll do little. They need either several roster moves and better goaltending, or they need to just tank to get a lottery pick. This team has too many 30+ vets and it seems they are missing the youth and speed they brought in in 2015-17, which they don’t have in the pipeline anymore
Jason Mackey
2:10
They have some options -- Blueger, Di Pauli and Johnson -- but they seem hesitant, for whatever reason, to use them. I think they think this team can be better than it is, and they would like to avoid a HUGE trade. They're evaluating right now whether that's accurate.
8771588130
2:10
Rutherford must have been pleased for Rusty to do what he did last night. Is he looking to add at this point or subtract because I think Johnson needs to go after that debachole last night on the 4th Goal I think Maatta needs to stay too what do you think Jason
Jason Mackey
2:14
Let me get this straight: So we're blaming Jack Johnson on the fourth goal ... which, even if it's right, and he's certainly culpable ... and ignoring that this bunch sleepwalked through a loss to the worst team in the league? At a time where they need points? I don't care if Jack Johnson took off his skates and mooned Patrick Kane. There's sooooo much more to it than that. And even if he's truly awful -- which if you read this chat that's probably the conclusion you'll come to -- what are you gonna do? Do you think other teams are clamoring for the defenseman in his 30s who (you say) sucks and has four more years on his contract? Who's taking that?
Dave
2:14
Do you think they think brass is a fit???
Jason Mackey
2:14
I think he could be a fit at wing.
james
2:14
You mentioned possibly moving Jarry if his game doesn't progress.  Can they?  Do they have a goalie of the future if Murray continues to falter?  Wish Filip was still in the fold
Jason Mackey
2:15
Yeah, that one hurts. And no, they don't. It's Matt, Casey or signing someone. So, maybe it does make sense to hold onto Tristan. But I question how OK the Penguins would be right now if Tristan was their one and only.
Guest
2:15
What do you Guentz will sign for with the pens?
Jason Mackey
2:16
I could see around $6-$7 million. Basically Nylander money, but if I'm the Pens, I could probably get a little discount because of Jake's regular-season struggles -- it's better this year -- and how much his production has been reliant on Sidney Crosby.
Guest
2:16
Everyone saying “we need a defensemen” but we have 9! And thinks will improve when Schultz comes back....right?
Jason Mackey
2:17
Yeah, I don't understand it. They have goal-prevention issues, yes. And their defense could stand to get upgraded. But, shoot, they could sign Nicklas Lidstrom in his prime, and they still might struggle at times to keep the other team from scoring.
Guest
2:18
Hi Jason!  It seems like a safe bet to land a C note down at the Casino on both Eastern wild cards coming from the Atlantic.  Whaddya think the magic points number will be for third in the Metro?
Jason Mackey
2:19
Division's a little rough this year. I'm thinking maybe 102?
Jerry
2:19
Pretend for a moment you’re the GM - who are you protecting in the next expansion draft?
Jason Mackey
2:23
Thinking Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Jake, Letang, Dumoulin, Maatta and Schultz. ... Or maybe Crosby, Malkin, ZAR, Rust, Jake, Simon, INSERT YOUNG FORWARD HERE ... Letang, Dumoulin and Schultz. ... Although I do think it's crazy early, Jerry. So much can happen.
Jmoney
2:23
Is this a good year for a soft rebuild? After seeing the hawks and kings falling apart after winning multiple cups it seems like we are starting down a similar path
Jason Mackey
2:23
I don't think they should be thinking like that. Late Monday night it sounded like they have a lot of stuff figured out. Yes, last night's loss stinks, but it shouldn't kill their entire season, IMO.
J
2:24
This team isn't a contender, and there's not one quick fix. We're also not that far away because we have top players and reasonably good depth. In my opinion, we need some young legs. What kind of resources would we have to part with to get a top young center-- say someone that has been or would be drafted in the top 3 picks?  Crosby and Malkin are still elite, elite players. But I could see Crosby in 3 years doing an incredible job in the 2nd line center/ Ron Francis/ role if we had a guy to bring along. I'd rather punt on this season, shed salary and accumulate enough resources to get one more young star next year. Is that do-able?
Jason Mackey
2:25
You want to get the first, second or third overall pick? That's a heck of a lot of tanking at his point. ... How, then, are you also saying this team isn't a contender and there's not one quick fix ... then you're proceeding to give me a quick fix?
Lord of Carson
2:25
Is it fair to question why Oleksiak is playing ahead of the Finnish flash?
Jason Mackey
2:25
Absolutely. Juuso Riikola can walk on water. I don't know why Mike Sullivan isn't playing him in a hockey game.
Mike Tomlin
2:25
Obviously.
Jason Mackey
2:25
Damn X-ray machines.
Lord of Carson
2:25
Since Brassard seems to be headed to wing, would Shaehan and a combination of Maata or Oleksiak be enough to bring back a 3rd line center?
Jason Mackey
2:26
Yeah, I think it would. I think that's reasonable. However, are you also moving Brassard? You might want to also keep Sheahan around because he is a capable No. 4.
Man on fire
2:26
I have perhaps a different take on Cullen.  To me he bailed and hurt somewhat the Pens chance to 3peat.  I got though that from reports he was doing it for his family. Completely understand.  But now essentially he washed out at MInny he is back, mainly due to perhaps the only GM that would sign him did.  So Matty, just how important was that family in Minny thing?   Would much rather had taken a flyer on someone like Duclair than have brought him back, and the return seemed strange. Am i being too jaded thinking this way?
Jason Mackey
2:27
I think so, yeah. I also think you're blaming a 42-year-old fourth line center for way more than he's responsible for. He's a bit part. Good or bad. Everything I've heard about Anthony Duclair and chemistry issues ... I question whether that would've been another fit. And it's not like it was an either/or, ya know? They could've afforded Cullen and Duclair if they really wanted.
Guest
2:27
Who is likely playing their last season as a penguin? Will this roster look different next season?
Jason Mackey
2:28
Absolutely it will. Brassard will be gone. Cullen, Grant, Ruhwedel, maybe DeSmith. Maybe Sheahan. I think there will be a pretty decent amount of turnover this summer.
Jerry
2:28
Jason, which player is the best at making himself available to the media, which one provides the most thoughtful (i.e. not canned) responses, and which one is like Bigfoot - heard of but seldom seen?
Jason Mackey
2:30
Phil and Geno are the last category, obviously. ... Sid is pretty much always available. He's tremendous. Pearson is really good. Maatta, Oleksiak, ZAR, they're all cooperative. Cullen always provides thoughtful responses. ... I love Malkin's honesty and what he's willing to say when he does talk.
JohnAl
2:30
8-13-21 in 47 games while playing through a buggered groin for part of that and coming from pretty much the polar opposite system is perfectly acceptable for a player you're paying 3 million dollars to. What more are you expecting from Brassard?
Jason Mackey
2:31
To click with anyone whatsoever for a stretch of games. To be something of a factor on the second power play. He's a $5 million-a-year player, mind you, hence why they had to give up more to get him with Cole and Gustavsson and Reaves. It's not just about the cap hit.
John
2:31
Why does Kessel insist on not even looking toward the net on the PP, passing back to Letang at the blue line  and insist that somehow passing the puck back and forth between him and Kris Letang will somehow score a goal - before the eventual pass intercept and SHG.
Jason Mackey
2:32
Are you actually expecting an answer on this? Do you think Phil would give me insight on this if I asked? Phil needs to shoot more, plain and simple. Too cute. It's a common theme for the whole group on the power play.
Puck Bunny
2:32
Do you think part of the problem is that the younger talent on the team hasn't experienced how to win "gritty" or "dirty" games?  They all kind of came in on the cup runs and got contracts because of their help with winning cups.
Jason Mackey
2:33
Eh, I don't know about that. You can criticize Bryan Rust for not scoring -- he's pretty much who you're talking about, right? -- but I'm not about to criticize his effort or willingness to play and win gritty games.
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