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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.27.18
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Jason Mackey
12:22
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat. One change for this week and moving forward: I'm not going to answer repeat questions. Try to move this along a bit. Hope you understand. Thanks and talk to you at 1.
Christian
12:56
Jason, if we take trading availability out of this, what would you say is Brassard’s timeline for making an impact?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Hey Christian, I would say maybe a couple weeks. Two generously? It depends on how it goes and what Rutherford sees, that's for sure.
MA
12:57
There have been a lot of commentators mentioning a players team meeting the Pens had. Has there been any word about who spoke and what was discussed ?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I have not heard of anything, MA. Not anything outside of what normally happens anyway. They honestly have a lot of team meetings. Picking one to trace this back to -- even if that happened -- might not be completely accurate. But again, I haven't seen anything that you're referencing.
Chris
1:01
You or one of your colleagues noted that this year's defense is worse than last year's.  Can you comment on that, given the positive press the most recent defensive addition (name escapes me, tall thin one who saved the puck from going in) has received as well as Letang's clear improvement from last year?  Thank you for avoiding repetitive questions by the way!!!!
Jason Mackey
1:02
Hey Chris ... I think that needs a little context. Beginning of the season, it was worse because of results. Lately, though, they've been better. Player-for-player, I wouldn't say they're worse. Letang has been much improved. I like Riikola. Pettersson has been a nice addition. ... Compared to, say, 2015-16, then I would say that group is better.
Isaac
1:12
Who has been the best among the penguins depth forwards? Could you rank them? (I mean like Cullen, sheahan, rust, grant, dea, Pearson, Simon, etc, etc)
Jason Mackey
1:19
I'd have to go Rust first, just because of what he's done lately. It's been ridiculous. ... Maybe next a tie between Simon -- who has taken some decent steps -- and Pearson, who started out well but has slumped. ... After that Sheahan, who has been better of late. Cullen been quite but the contract is minimal. He's 42; I don't know how much you can expect.
Monday Morning QB
1:22
Derick Brassard has 9 points in 27 games, with 1 in the last 9 games.  He's a -3 and hasn't meshed with any specific linemates.  Those numbers arent too far off for an average 3rd line C, but he wasnt supposed to be an average 3rd C. What kind of production does he need to reach to be considered a success story?  Is his style just not complimentary to Sullivan's?  When do you 'pull the plug" and look for a trade if he remains stagnant?
Jason Mackey
1:22
I think it's getting closed, as I wrote recently: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2018/12/23/Jim-Rutherford...
1:23
But I still think you have to give Brassard and Kessel a couple more games to see if they can figure this out. ... That said, I don't think he likes it here. I don't think he wants to be here. And I think it would probably be best to pull the plug.
Redbeard
1:23
If you were to handicap the roster players most likely to be traded wyour top 3?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Brassard ... Grant ... Maatta. ... The first two are much more likely than the third, mind you.
Stamatios
1:42
With Doumalin, Letang, Maata, Oleksiak, and the soon returning Shultz as the defense's foundation, and nice young D-men like Rikolla and Petterson, the Johnson signing looks bad and unnecessary. They're now stuck with a guy they honestly don't really need at a huge price. I know depth is nice but at a certain point its too much and resources can be used elsewhere. I know he's playing solidly, esp on PK, but is there anything (i.e. magic) GMJR can do to move him and would he? Even if he moves Maata, I would still move Johnson if possible. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:43
I don't think there's much he can do, to be honest with you. I don't have a huge problem with the Johnson signing, at least not to the degree that many Penguins fans do. But five years for a guy that age ... I just don't see who would be lining up right now to get that.
Dan
1:43
I saw where Craig Patrick is back scouting for Pens..What exactly is his capacity with team and was this a surprising hire or a favor to Mario ?
Jason Mackey
1:44
I don't think it's surprising. I'm surprised it's taken so long, to be honest. Seems like a perfect move. He's most responsible for advancing scouting ... he's usually a couple games ahead of the NHL club, watching for tendencies and such from other teams.
Stamatios
1:44
What can be done to wake up Malkin? perhaps playing him with Hornqvist? It's not just the lack of goals, his all around game has been lackluster, lazy, uninspired. I can't remember another time that he's been in such a funk for so long.
Jason Mackey
1:45
They are playing him with Hornqvist tonight, and I think that will help -- tell Malkin to simplify and shoot the puck more; that usually helps. But I think also they just need to ride it out. Malkin is a streaky player. Always has been. Take the good with the bad. He's certainly due to break out.
Joe
1:45
Hi Chris, It seems that Jim Rutherford is using the media a little more this year than previous to convey concern/displeasure about personnel on the Penguins. Do you concur, and if so, what is the motivation behind this...thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:45
Chris? Ha. ... Jason. ... I think GMJR is about the same this year, and he does do this regularly. He's old school. He likes being available and saying what he does to get peoples' attention. I just think they've struggled more at the start of this season. As such, he's had more to talk about.
JB
1:59
It seems clear that Brassard isn't exactly thriving (nor does he seem particularly thrilled with being) in a 14-15 minute a night 3C role.  I know they say they want 3 lines that can score, but even given that, tried him on Crosby's wing here and there.  That job's nowhere near available at the moment (nor should it be), but it seems to me that the more natural fit might be to put Malkin on Brassard's wing with either Kessel or Hornqvist, bring up Blueger and give him a shot at being the 3C with whichever of 81/72 isn't playing with Brassard plus whichever of Simon and Rust isn't playing with Sid.  Worst case, shouldn't they at least try it to see where Blueger is before deciding on trading Brassard?  You might even slightly mask Malkin's maddening addiction to turning the puck over within 6 feet of the offensive blue line through ill advised passes to wingers that he hopes might, possibly be kinda sorta open that way...and you definitely would get him out of faceoffs,
Jason Mackey
2:00
I think if they traded Brassard, it wouldn't have a ton to do with Blueger. I think if they decided to trade Brassard, it would be more about getting something from somebody they were going to lose. As I understand it, I think it would have to be a special case to see guys like Blueger up here this year. And they might, don't get me wrong, but I think their first plan would be something like using Sheahan and Cullen down the middle first ... or maybe Grant ... or maybe getting someone else who fits better before they went to Blueger.
Stuart
2:00
What's up with Malkin?  Playing east to west, turnovers.  Fatherhood?
Jason Mackey
2:01
It would have to be delayed fatherhood, no? It's not like his kid was born a couple weeks ago. He's played like crap, I agree. Sort of mystifying. But he's been a streaky player. I also would not discount the loss of Carl Hagelin all of this.
JB
2:01
Sorry...I forgot about Pearson.  The 3 line would be Blueger, Pearson and either 81 or 72 in my scenario...which might actually be a pretty decent group if Blueger is as ready as advertised...
Jason Mackey
2:02
They're not going to bring Blueger up from the minors and immediately give him those responsibilities. At least not without injuries or exhausting other options first.
Normie
2:02
Hi Jason.   Have the Penguins indicated a time table for when Shultz gets out of the cast and can begin skating?
Jason Mackey
2:02
He should begin skating in the next couple weeks. Cast is off now. I'd expect him to return the second week of February, if not beore.
before*
Samuel
2:02
If the goal is to have Kessel play on his own line, what type of player would be the perfect third line center that meets his needs while also not needing to play 1st or 2nd line minutes? ...seems like an unlikely find...thanks
Jason Mackey
2:03
Someone who plays defense ... someone who can find Kessel with a pass whenever he blows the zone early ... someone who understands how and where Kessel wants the puck ... someone who has a thick skin, in case Kessel screams at him ... someone who can get his hands dirty around the net and maybe finish a little. Those would be my important attributes.
Yoda
2:03
Who besides brassard is tradeable to other teams? What I mean by  tradeable is who would other teams actually be willing to trade for.
Jason Mackey
2:04
I think Maatta could be tradable, and they could save money by using Riikola in that spot. I also don't know if they would want to get rid out of Maatta at this point. He's statistically been their best PK guy. ... I could maybe see Pearson being repurposed, too.
Super Genius
2:04
Jason - If you could change one thing Coach Sullivan does with the Pens what would it be?  Mine is the line juggling...how can this team ever develop chemistry on a per line basis whenever their linemate changes at a drop of the hat.  What do you think?
Jason Mackey
2:05
Mine is the same. ... I think he shuffles too much and doesn't let guys build chemistry. I think it's coming from a good place, but he doesn't seem to have much patience with that sort of stuff.
Guest
2:05
On a non-game day, how long are the players at the rink? What time do they get there in the morning for practice and what time are they headed home for the day?
Jason Mackey
2:06
If they practice at 11, say, they're probably there for meetings and treatment -- it does vary by guy -- by 8:30 or 9. ... They'll usually head home, again assuming an 11 am practice, around 1:30 or 2, if they don't need treatment or anything like that.
Joe
2:06
Do you think sully would sit Malkin for a game to motivate him if he continues to play with what looks like care or effort.  .
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