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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.29.17
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Jason Mackey
2:38
Yes.
Adam
2:38
When GMJR talks about a "shakeup," I can't really see specifically what should happen in terms of a big trade. When players are simply underperforming, where do you start? It has to be hard to diagnose from a transaction standpoint I imagine.
Jason Mackey
2:39
I think that's fair, Adam. Think of it this way: Ian Cole is an asset, one that won't be here next year. Carl Hagelin has an ugly contract. Package those two with, say, Sheary, and you see what you get. If it's good, moving three pieces who've won back-to-back Cups? That's a shakeup. Jim isn't talking about trading Sid or Geno. And of course the path of least resistance is to just play well. That happens, Jim can kick his feet up and watch.
Jonah
2:39
Seems like the last couple of years the Pens are somewhat content to play about .500 hockey during the first half of the season and bring more focus and drive during the latter half and, obviously, the playoffs. Nobody is going to admit to this of course, but with the long season - and all of the hockey they've played it's not a bad idea. Any thoughts on this?
Jason Mackey
2:40
I think being at the top of the mountain as the Penguins have been ... man, it's hard to get up for a December game against the Avalanche. Is that an excuse? No. The Penguins should have more points than they do right now; they've underperformed. But the so-much-hockey thing isn't BS, in my opinion.
John
2:40
Do you see a scenario where JR decides that the team doesn't have it this year? Maybe he decides to sell players like Hornqvist at the deadline?
Jason Mackey
2:41
If they're woefully out of it -- which I don't think will happen -- maybe. But I still think they want to take a shot at retaining Hornqvist.
Hollywood
2:42
Thanks for the chat Jason. You and the boys (and girls) make P-G the one-stop shop for Pittsburgh sports. When GMJR was first hired I watched interviews with him and thought he was a clueless, doddering old fool and that the Pens made a big mistake. Now my opinion has turned 180 degrees - he seems like the sly old fox, always two steps ahead and usually making the right deals for the right players. In interviews he seems so wise and insightful. Is my perception just being colored by winning? Is it the "Milo Hamilton Effect"? (you may be too young to catch that reference :) You seem to have a really good media rapport with him; has your perception of him changed since he started?
Jason Mackey
2:42
I get the reference, Hollywood. ... I never thought of Jim as a "doddering old fool." I never thought anything of Jim, to be honest with you. When they hired him, I was surprised given how out-of-left-field it seems, but after getting to know Jim, I think he's incredibly smart, patient, funny and tremendous to cover. Has he screwed up? Absolutely. Five D, Downie/Ehrhoff/Comeau/etc. ... there have been mishaps. But the guys knows his stuff, and he's a fundamentally good human being. I consider it one of the coolest things in my career to be able to say I've covered someone like GMJR. Other beat writers are often jealous of the sort of stuff that Jim does. Other GMs aren't like him.
Rahn
2:42
What other clubs look to be in the Penguins, Senators situation for roster movement? A look at the standings would indicate clubs like Anaheim and Edmonton.
Jason Mackey
2:42
Haven't heard Anaheim. Have heard some chats -- again, GMJR talks to a lot of GMs -- with OTT, TOR, VGK, EDM and TOR.
NJPensFan
2:42
With the pens connection to Buffalo, do you think a trade could be made for either Kane , Okoposo, or Marco Scandella.
Jason Mackey
2:43
Potentially, but Kane doesn't solve their third-line center issues, and I worry about the character fit. Don't like the other two a ton, to be honest.
SL
2:43
Do you think Schultz had some sort of setback? I had seen tweets (from you or Sam) that Schultz was on the ice skating before main practice (maybe a few days ago), and then didn't see anything about him being on ice over the days since then. Is he still skating, and still on track to rejoin the team soon-ish?
Jason Mackey
2:43
I tweeted that he skated before Wednesday's game. That was the first he had done that. I wasn't at practice yesterday, so I don't know if he skated early or not.
Guest
2:44
Other than Cole, who do you think the Pens are looking to trade?  Hagelin, maybe Sheary and likely Sprong and 1st round pick would be my guesses.  I really hope they don't trade Sprong or our first.  We need to better develop the farm system.  Have you heard any names?
Jason Mackey
2:44
Those are the ones I've heard.
Rahn
2:44
Want to make the Reaves deal seem even less popular? Wait until guys like Eeli Tolvanen (Predators pick at No. 30, if the Pens could have moved up a slot or two) and Klim Kostin (Blues pick at No. 31) are impact players in a year or two.
Jason Mackey
2:44
Is that possible?
SL
2:44
You tweeted some quotes from Corrado (he's "had all the bad nights", or something like that). Is his attitude a bit negative/unprofessional, or was that just how the quote sounded in writing?
Jason Mackey
2:44
Not negative at all. He's saying he's already had some struggles. So if he does it again, what's the big deal?
Mike Destefano
2:44
Hey jason appreciate all of your work. Sorry if u already covered this. Are you hearing any specific teams as trade partners ? I keep reading Ottawa and buffalo. I'd love to get pageau from Ottawa.
Jason Mackey
2:45
Yeah, have heard some BUF, not a ton, though. The five I've been repeating: VGK, COL, TOR, OTT and EDM.
Guest
2:45
Bascially, what you're saying is that no "shake up" trade is forthcoming, maybe more minor pieces.  Is that what you think?
Jason Mackey
2:45
I don't know what I think. A lot depends on tonight and which direction they go coming off this latest Columbus win.
Guest
2:45
Do you buy JR's radio comments that getting Reaves, Sheahan, Oleksiak did not change the Pens' "speed" identity? Really seems to me they are trying to get bigger at the expense of maybe smaller, quicker players...
Jason Mackey
2:46
I don't. I like those three guys, but they've been a definite drop in speed. It's OK to admit it. I don't understand why the Penguins are so adamant about saying nothing has changed when clearly it has.
Ryan
2:46
Is it reasonable to wait and see what the team brings over the next month?  I don't see any clear trade pieces that anyone outside of the Pens fan base that makes sense for both sides.  Hagelin is a 4th liner and PKer and Sheary is a middle six winger at best, no one is lining up for any of those players.  At this point we have to hope that we can turn the team around and work with what we have.
Jason Mackey
2:47
I think that's a smart way of looking at it. Very smart. Just have to start getting some results. Those will go a long way toward having some patience.
Russell
2:47
There's been a lot of rumblings of a big trade that will shake up the room for some time now. Now that Letang is off the table I'm having a hard time finding a big piece the Penguins have that other teams would want. I don't feel like Hagelin, Sheary, and Cole have that much value to get the 3rd Line Center the Pens need. Do you think it's just as simple as floating the 1st round pick plus some of those pieces, or will they have to trade someone like Sprong to get what they need.
Jason Mackey
2:48
If they're going to go big, and maybe try to get Hagelin's contract off the books, they probably have to trade the pick. Here's another thing with Sprong: There's a chance they're not playing him in the NHL because what if he struggles mightily? Would hurt some trade value.
Ryan
2:48
Looking at the Pens record right now, to get somewhere near the 45 win mark they’d have to win about 60% of their remaining 44 games (26 wins).  With the inconsistent play so far do you see any signs of a win streak coming? Sure would be nice given about half of the remaining schedule is within the Metropolitan.  Thanks Jason
Jason Mackey
2:48
I actually do. They were a defiant bunch after that last game. It was different, similar to last year. I wouldn't be shocked if they go on a bit of a run here.
Guest
2:48
I think it's ridiculous that the team is struggling to score and they won't call up their best scorer in the minors.  Why? Because they don't like his defense enough.  Yet I think Sheary and Kessel are playing and they aren't exactly good defensive players, and other players aren't playing defense either.  Seems hypocritical to me and UI wish you would ask the Pens' brass about it
Jason Mackey
2:49
Sullivan was asked today about Sprong. I've asked Rutherford. We've relayed the answers. Do you want us to make them answer differently to give the answer you're looking for?
Chad in WV
2:49
How important will it be to have Schultz back in the lineup? He won’t fix everything but I believe he’s become a significant part of the team since he arrived.
Jason Mackey
2:49
Agree, Chad. He does a lot of different things. PP. Pairing with Cole. Adding offense. Very important.
Basil McRae
2:50
Thomas Plekanec isn’t on the Pens radar as a 3rd line center because of his contract and lack of speed, right?
Jason Mackey
2:50
Would think so, among other reasons. Haven't heard that name.
JV
2:50
Jason I know you're not a psychologist, but if you had to give an answer, why would you say so many Pens fans just assume that the other 30 teams are lining up to take our "under-performing, over-priced" players off our hands?  Those teams read the stats and watch the games same as everyone else.
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