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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.20.18
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Jason Mackey
12:53
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat. Glad you could stop by. Let's get this thing started ...
JohnAl
12:56
Are you going to now write an article about how it's 'not working' with Malkin given that Brassard had more ice time than him last night?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I am not. We're also talking about a difference of 17 seconds. Sounds like you're a little put off I said Brassard at center (and with the Penguins). He has three goals and four points in his last 17 games. I don't think I'm the only one who's questioning the fit.
copall
12:59
Do you think the Pens will return Simon to the top line when he returns or will they leave well enough alone with the way Rust has been playing alongside Sid?
Jason Mackey
1:00
That's a good question. I think you probably leave well enough alone, honestly. Maybe try Simon with Brassard? I don't see how you can break up Sid and Rust right now, though. Remember, Simon can play both sides. ... But they're going to have 59, 87, 17, 46, 71, 81, 14, 19, 72 and 12 ... and someone's gonna wind up on the fourth line.
Terry
1:01
Hi Jason- really enjoy these chats!
Jason Mackey
1:01
Thanks, Terry. Appreciate that.
Guest
1:01
Are the penguins back in the game?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I think they've been back in it for a little now. All they need to do is getting the playoffs ... and be playing better/well. That has happened. Not saying they're a Stanley Cup contender at the moment. They're not. But they are back in it.
Terry
1:01
What is your honest take on Derick Brassard? What are the odds he doesn’t get traded? Do you think he can work with 14-19-72? Does he want to play here? Appreciate these chats!
Jason Mackey
1:02
I question whether he wants to, Terry, and thank you. I think he would rather be a top-six player somewhere else, but I don't think he has that choice. I think they really want to see this work, Sullivan especially. Which is one the reasons you're seeing him with Pearson and Hornqvist, two extremely hard-working players. Brassard is the most skilled player on the line, which may not be a bad thing.
Jimmie
1:02
Will Rust remain on the Crosby line when Hornquist returns?
Jason Mackey
1:03
Hey Jimmie, Hornqvist returned last night, and Rust stayed with Crosby. Hornqvist was with Pearson and Brassard on the third line.
Jeff Houston
1:03
I really like 19's game these past 3 games. I kno everyone hates on him, altho he has had same-better production of all 3rd C'c on every cup team since 06'. But alot of ppl dont realize that he has been a slow starter his whole career and usually breaks out about this time of season. I still think it would be a mistake to trade him. What are ur thoughts on 19?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I thought he was OK, Jeff, but that's about as far as I'll go. Sullivan obviously knows his team better than me or anyone here, so I don't fault him for wanting to see this thing through. But I do have my doubts. ... Bonino did stuff like this, too -- his March was also incredible -- but he also killed penalties, helped his linemates, was solid defensively, won battles. Brassard really isn't doing a ton of the other stuff, in addition to not scoring.
Ryan
1:04
Jason, what do you think is the biggest obstacle standing between the Pens and another deep run or Cup Championship?
Jason Mackey
1:05
There are a few. Toronto, Tampa and Washington, to start. Gotta get the same of goaltending they had two years ago. Gotta get Schultz back and tighter defensively as a whole. Bottom-six needs to be a bigger threat, somehow, someway, whether that's Teddy Blueger, Thomas Di Pauli or a trade. Lotta areas to patch up, but they have taken some steps in the right direction.
Ted
1:06
Is there any real truth behind the pens trading brassard to WIN? Heard they were linked to him? What does trading him honestly even serve they’d need to get another 3C
Jason Mackey
1:07
Hi Ted, please link the report or, at minimum, tell me where you heard it. Tough to comment on something blindly, but, no, I have not heard that that has been discussed.
Guest
1:07
Any trades in the mix to come as soon as the holiday freeze lifts? Or is GMJR content until the deadline?
Jason Mackey
1:08
It depends on how his team plays. If it stays like last night, likely not, although GMJR could do something to address his bottom-six scoring, particularly that third-line center spot if they deem Brassard to not be a fit. He'll be gone after the season, and they could at least try to get something for him. ... But GMJR is gonna wait and see what his team needs and which direction it's headed.
John
1:08
Jason.. Just a coincidence, dumb luck or coaches philosophy.. Last 3 years playoffs vs. Washington, someone from the Pens gets knocked out by a concussion.  I think it is a deliberate coaches directive to try to injure Penguin players knowing that knocking them out will result in either no penalty (see T. Wilson vs. ZAR), of willing to accept the penalty vs. knowing chances to win are greatly enhanced by these obvious head shots.
Jason Mackey
1:09
Hi John, I don't think what happened last night was a "coaching directive." If it was, it had to be the world's dumbest directive: "If you get in a fight, punch the guy in the head." ... I do think there's a philosophy Washington has when it plays Pittsburgh and that's to play the Penguins hard, to disrupt their speed and skill with force. Columbus has done the same thing. The Penguins know this is coming. In years past, they moved the puck quicker than other teams can hit. Lately, not so much. But they can out-skill teams.
Ron
1:09
Who do you believe goes first? Brass ? Kessel? Maatta if any?
Jason Mackey
1:10
I would say Brass > Maatta > Phil ... although I'm not thinking any of the three are terribly likely right now.
Paul T
1:10
Hi Jason.  Any chance there could be a Brassard trade by the deadline?  Seems the most expendable player for the Pens, and may find a top 4 d-man for him?
Jason Mackey
1:11
If they traded Brassard, I'm not sure it would be four a top-four D. They're getting one of those in Schultz, and those prices tend to be crazy-high. Plus, they would have to fill awful confident they could backfill Brassard's spot.
Paul
1:11
Is Brassard’s poor play associated with low confidence? You are around these guys enough I’m sure to get to know their personalities
Jason Mackey
1:12
That's one way of putting it. I just don't think Brassard likes the role he's been cast in: bottom-six, not necessarily with skilled guys, having to play a more blue collar game. That's not how he wants to play, and I think it's showing. Confidence is part of it, because I see him as a shell of what he was with the Rangers and Ottawa, but the Penguins are also asking him to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Matt
1:12
Any idea where Simon will play tonight? I doubt they'd want to put him back with Sid given how well Rust has done
Jason Mackey
1:13
I don't think Sullivan will separate Rust and Sid. Rust is red-hot. ... Maybe with Malkin. I could see that making sense. Or even getting him with Brassard, to get Brassard with someone a little more skilled. It worked a lot in the preseason with Rust on the other wing.
Dave
1:13
If only one thing could be said to the team, my suggestion is no cross ice passes at either blue line. If they cut that out, that alone would make a big difference in games won. Your thoughts? Thanks for all the great work and hope it's a great Christmas for you and your family!
Jason Mackey
1:13
Thanks, Dave. Same to you. I think Sullivan would agree with you. It is maddening sometimes.
dave
1:13
I'm glad they won last night, but I thought Murray was shaky.  There were lots of leaky pucks, and it seemed like he was having trouble finding the puck.  What did you think?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I thought he was OK. Just OK. I didn't think he deserved the Vezina based on last night alone, but he did play in Washington, against the hottest team, didn't let Ovechkin score and gave up only one goal. I don't care how you get it done. That's pretty solid. Credit where it's due.
Isaac
1:14
Do you think the Penguins should trade Brassard? He simply has not worked here. What could they get for him? What kind of player would they look for next as a 3rd line Center? Maybe Tyler bozak if he’s available given St. Louis situation
Jason Mackey
1:15
Seems like you guys might wanna trade Brassard ... whew. ... Yeah, I would definitely explore it, although I'm not sure what they could get at this point. Maybe if they convince the other team that he's just not a fit and not broken, they could get something decent. But the results have been flat-out bad lately.
I would like Bozak a lot in that role, personally. Have no clue whether it's possible.
Mike C
1:15
Going off of what copall asked, where do you think Simon will go if it isn’t on the first line?
Jason Mackey
1:16
It'll either be with Malkin or Brassard. Depends on where they're at with ZAR and what they think might mesh with Brassard.
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