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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.21.17
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Jason Mackey
12:18
Hi folks. Heading home now for some lunch and this. Ask whatever you want now, and I'll start answering at 1 p.m. As always, if you're going to reference something you read or saw online, please include the report, a link to the tweet, etc. Something so I can judge it as credible and not some rumor that your brother-in-law had heard. Thanks, Management.
copall
12:57
Do you think the Pens would ever consider making Rust their 3rd center? He seems to have the solid two-way game you would want in that position, and I am guessing it would be easier for JR to then turn around and make a trade for a quality 3rd line forward.
Jason Mackey
12:58
No, I do not. Definitely not, actually. His speed on the wings is an asset. Plus, he doesn't know enough about the position to give them what they're looking for. There's a lot more than simply having someone take faceoffs, and Rust's skill set is suited for the wing.
Jason C
12:58
‪Hello Jason awesome that you do this every week! I imagine it can be very  repetitive with all the hockey questions. When do you think GMJR gets his 3rd line Center any ideas of who they might be? Lastly do you think A. Athanasiou, G. Nyquvist, E. Haula or J. Marchessault would be players of interest and if so which player would be the most realistic scenario for the Pens? Personally I like E. Haula nice hands and a 2 way game and fast, and G. Nyquvist for the same reasons I think J.Marchessault is great but more offensive mined and         A. Athanasiou would be the best but I think the price would be way to high.. your thoughts? Hope to see Sprong called up soon. Thank you Sir‬
Jason Mackey
1:00
Thanks, Jason. My pleasure. I enjoy it, too. I'd go Haula for the most realistic, Marchessault for the best fit. I love Marchessault as a player. For that reason, I don't see why Vegas would let him go. ... And, honestly, an argument can be made that way for Haula. What do the Golden Knights do? Do they contend or probably do what they should do and build for the future? Will be interesting. Pass on the other two, IMO.
Joe
1:00
Jason, what's your gut feeling about whether they'll be a trade of either Maatta or Dumoulin for a forward? Or do you think it'll be some other defensemen/player?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I think the next trade for the Penguins will involve Ian Cole in some way, shape or form. Is that the big 3C trade or a quote-unquote shake-up? I don't know. But I think it involves Cole. I say that because trading one defenseman means there's less chance -- much less, actually -- of dealing the guys you're mentioning.
Rahn
1:01
I saw Adam Johnson was a scratch in W-B last week. What has been the report on his progress or lack thereof so far?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Honestly, Rahn, there's been so much else going on with the team that I haven't thought to ask. I will, though. Thank you for bringing it up. Please check back next week, and hopefully I will have more for you.
Joe
1:14
My perspective of the team is that the big guns--Sid, Letang and Malkin, particularly the first two--haven't been playing well enough to cover for the lack of depth.  They could easily make the playoffs, even they're not a true contender, if only those three played harder and smarter.  A trade for scoring depth is never bad and would help in the playoffs, but if they miss the playoffs it's because the stars couldn't find the level needed this year.  Do you agree?
Jason Mackey
1:16
Hi Joe. I think you make some excellent points. Crosby and Letang do need to be better. But in a way, that's related to depth scoring. Sid could use some help. I think if they had three scoring lines, teams would be forced to match up differently against the Penguins. ... Also, I don't see a way this team misses the playoffs. Long season, a lot of teams make it, they'll get in.
Guest
1:16
What's up with the Sid?  He played about the worst game I've ever seen him play against Colorado, and he looks really unengaged. Not caring yet at this point in the season, or can he just not find the level needed because of all the hockey the last couple years?
Jason Mackey
1:17
Care is the last thing I find issue with regarding Crosby. I would go with another "C" word, though. Consistency. Too much shuffling on his line. Crosby more than any other professional athlete I've dealt with craves routine. He's had none of that thus far. Pick two linemates, and let him stick with those guys for awhile.
Guest
1:17
Do you think the Pens are considering trading Letang? Would teams be interested and could they still get an incredible haul for him or not, given his past injuries and current play?
Jason Mackey
1:17
I don't ... because of what you mentioned. One, it's bad business: trading an asset at its lowest point ... or close to. Two, I question how many suitors are out there, or what the return would be, given his history and current play.
OHIO412FAN
1:18
Jason, what moves from JR come next? Is ths team capable of turning it around, like they have in years of past?
Jason Mackey
1:18
I think they will trade Ian Cole soon after the holiday roster freeze expires. I think that will likely involve a third-line center. And yes, I do think this team is capable of turning it around. I don't think the Penguins are anywhere near as bad as what they've shown the past 5-7 games.
OHIO412FAN
1:19
When looking at the Pens play, something is lacking in their game. What is lacking? What are biggest eye popping things?
Jason Mackey
1:19
Emotion. Urgency. Passion. ... Lot of words for it. But they look stale, almost tired. They need a bit of a spark. Could get it with Columbus and some division games. Could also get it with a move. Thirdly, could get it with a gutcheck. I dont know which it will be, but I think they will get it.
Dave
1:20
I would like to thank JR for acquiring a dman that will hit the opposition and fight when necessary.  Do you think JR is starting to realize that the defense needs to have a balance between “SOFF” puck movers and some banger and brawlers?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I don't know about all that, Dave. I think Oleksiak has the potential to be a very good player, and I think the Penguins got him for next to nothing. If he works out, too, he makes trading Ian Cole a heckuva lot easier, which is what they ultimately like to do.
Dave
1:20
It appears that Cole is all but a memory now that they have acquired Oleksiak, is he going to b enough to get a legitimate 3rd line center?
Jason Mackey
1:21
Yes, I think so. I think there are a lot of teams -- Toronto is one -- that could really use what Ian Cole has to offer. Heck, even Vegas might want him. Great personality for that market. Has been there before. Very good player. Could extend him if they wished. Not even close to done career-wise.
Dave
1:21
Call it burn out, tired, not enough of a break, complacency, lack of interest in regular season, whatever, does JR start targeting players via trade that are hungrier and more interested in winning than some players on this team who seem to b going through the motions and collecting their paychecks?
Jason Mackey
1:22
Well, he's going to have to wait until after the holiday roster freeze to do so. But, yes, I think getting a guy who has never won -- and letting the veterans kind of see it through his eyes -- would be a good thing. Daniel Sprong might change the calculus in there in a good way, too.
NervousPensFan
1:22
When do the Penguins admit the Ryan Reaves idea was a mistake? We have no fourth line scoring and he's only playing 5 min a night.
Jason Mackey
1:24
To be fair, Reaves and the fourth line is coming off arguably its second-best performance of the season behind the game at Florida. But, yeah, I think if Oleksiak works, his size and toughness and willingness to fight could be enough to trade Reaves, assuming there's a taker, and move on from this thing. I like Reaves a lot, but he's just not adding enough offense on a consistent basis. If they can, say, bring back Matt Cullen, I'd move Rowney to wing in a heartbeat and find a new home for Reaves.
Al
1:24
Do you think all the line switches is causing some problems with the players. I know coach is trying to shake things up, but it doesn't seem to be working.
Jason Mackey
1:24
Yes. I think it is causing an issue with Crosby especially. I don't blame Sullivan. It's coming from a good place. But I think he needs to make his choices and let these guys try and cultivate something positive.
ImpatientPensFan
1:24
I have no more patience for Ryan Reaves. What does he contribute? He protects Crosby and Malkin. Then why are they both having down years? What a difference he has made in their play. Plus only 5 min a night on a team that needs scoring. How is he still in the lineup?
Jason Mackey
1:25
Not to be a smart *^%, but because the Penguins don't see his role the same way you do, at least not publicly.
Harold
1:25
Jason: I can't fathom the trade for Leighton, and what security he provides as a journeyman minor league player.  If the Pens wanted a veteran, there were plenty of other options.  And the trade of Archibald, who looked very good in the Colorado game is another puzzler.
Jason Mackey
1:27
Harold, look at it this way: Leighton isn't making NHL money. He's an AHL goalie. He's organizational depth because they're keeping Jarry up. If somebody gets hurt, Leighton is better than Casey DeSmith. That's it. As for Oleksiak, if he works, he could enable them to trade Cole and not be a lot worse for it. They weren't using Archibald. I'd part with him for that certainty and the flexibility it gives me to flip Cole for a third-line center. Make sense?
Clare
1:27
Are you wearing an Ugly Sweater tonight? If not, why not.
Jason Mackey
1:27
I'm not. Sorry. Honestly, I don't have one. Simple as that. If someone wants to bring an ugly sweater up to the press box, I'll gladly wear it. Ha.
ronesz
1:27
Hi, Jason. I was wondering if Sid was injured (he keeps skipping game-day skates). What do you think/see? Thanks, have a great day!
Jason Mackey
1:27
Not injured. Just maintenance for him. He's trying to conserve energy after a busy two years and has gotten into the habit of doing it.
John
1:27
I'm not in the locker room, but i listen to the players and coaches media scrum and i just get a vibe that its a miserable team right now, Do you get that same vibe being in the locker room?
Jason Mackey
1:29
I think miserable is a little strong, John, but there is a tangible sense of frustration. It's tense in there, I'll agree with that. Nobody is laughing all that much. That will change if they get on a roll, but yeah, the way they've played, it makes joking around tough.
John
1:29
Can you see GMJR trading for Pageau or Brassard? If so what would the pens have to offer?
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