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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 1.24.19
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Clementine
1:55
Origin story-abridged version:  BB Sullivan-When stories emerged last year that underlying HCMS
Jason Mackey
1:55
You might want to tell the full version. That explanation makes no sense.
Andy
1:55
Does DeSmith fire his agent after Koskinen got 4.5M/year?
Jason Mackey
1:56
No. Because I think DeSmith was fine with the money. He literally signed off on it. He has nobody to blame but himself, although I guarantee you he's not looking at it like that. He liked the money, the fit, the certainty ... his fiancee is also from here, so she gets to be around family. If ever I encountered a professional athlete who literally not care less about money, it's Casey DeSmith.
Crashguy66
1:56
Thoughts on Brian Boyle? Rumor is he can be had for picks.
Jason Mackey
1:56
Think I got this one earlier, but love it. Strikes me as more of a fourth-line add, but I would not turn down the opportunity to add Brian Boyle.
Kid A
1:56
Jason, are you surprised at all by the Caps current slide and largely underwhelming performance this year? It felt like every day last summer there was a new story about how hard they were partying and celebrating winning the Stanley Cup. I get that winning their first championship was a big deal, but I can't see how they were prepared for a proper title defense.
Jason Mackey
1:57
I don't get linking their current slide -- and yes, they stink right now -- to the Stanley Cup stuff. They were good earlier in the year. Is this sort of a delayed hangover? Did they run out of gas entirely this early? I don't believe it. I think it's a stretch. I think they're playing poorly. Simple as that. They'll be there in the end, trust me.
Guest
1:57
Ferland plays wing, if we were to acquire him, where would he slot in? Would we have to move a winger? Perhaps Sheahan?
Jason Mackey
1:58
If they got Ferland, it would probably have to involve Brassard. If it does, then Sheahan would go to 3C. If it didn't involve Brassard, then I think they would tinker using Ferland with Malkin and Brassard. Probably opposite of whatever they do with Hornqvist to spread out somewhat similar skill sets.
JohnAl
1:59
More of a meta-journalism question, but what do sources stand to gain from giving information to a reporter? Do you feed information back to them in exchange? Is it a chance for the source to direct the story the way they want?
Jason Mackey
2:00
In a way, yes. Sometimes it's just relationships. You get along. Talk about things -- family, life, kids, etc. You don't burn them ... I.e. a source can say something to you and know it'll be handled appropriately. Sometimes it's directing the story a certain way or wanting something out there without the ramifications of putting your name on it. Trading info has happened before ... and happens a lot. There's a lot of reasons, honestly.
Eddie Shack
2:00
I find it almost amusing that GMJR says things like...I want to see how things work with Brassard over the next little while...JIM...Brassard has been a bust since he's been here, if he isn't injured he seems to disinterested and even when placed with elite talent---Phil....he still doesn't cut it....make this move sooner rather than later
Jason Mackey
2:01
Ha. GMJR has never been shy about delivering a message through the media. Read that as: Hey, opposing GM, I don't feel like I HAVE to trade Brassard. I'm gonna see what this guy can bring. Maybe he figures it out!
Guest
2:01
Speaking of Brassard's problem with playing on the 3rd line, have you ever noticed that type of attitude from Kessel?  He's definitely not a typical 3rd line  guy.
Jason Mackey
2:01
Yeah, I don't think he loves it, but it's hard to argue with his production in that spot. I don't think the Penguins are looking for guys to print T-shirts with "THIRD LINE" across the front. They just want the guys to embrace their role and do something in it.
me
2:02
Do you think CAR would trade Ferland for Brassard and Oleksiak?
Jason Mackey
2:02
No. I think they would want a first or multiple picks/prospects. Brassard and Oleksiak wouldn't give them enough building blocks for the future, which is what I think they're most interested in.
Guest
2:02
Jason, really like your Pens chats. My question is regarding J Johnson. Why would GMJR give a 30-31 year old D-man, who had the highest negative + - for all D-men for the last 11-12 years, a five year $15 Million contract?
Jason Mackey
2:05
It's a good question. Here's what I know: 1. Because they had to to outbid Detroit and Anaheim, Johnson's other suitors. They also thought -- and people will disagree with this -- that Johnson could come to Pittsburgh and be really good. Second and third pair, play simple, hit people, maybe complement Schultz, etc. The yearly hit wasn't so bad; it's the term that stinks. GMJR felt, and still feels, that he can do something to get out from under the deal if he has to. I'm skeptical of that, but I'm trying to answer your question. Lastly, Johnson had a set dollar amount he needed to get to because of the financial crap that's happened to him in the past. The Penguins wanted less on the yearly amount and tried to defray that by going longer on the deal.
Jason
2:05
Hi Jason.  With the fact that Schultz is coming off a broken leg, is there a little too much faith being placed in how much he will help the defense?  I wouldn't be surprised if it takes him a while to get back to his old self.
Jason Mackey
2:05
It might, but he's still a tremendous player. And they have time to get him up to speed before the playoffs. On my list of concerns for the Penguins, Schultz returning to form is way down the list. He'll be fine.
Drew
2:05
You presumably were upset close readings of every interaction ever between Mike Sullivan and Phil Kessel dominated the Pittsburgh landscape for a month after the Pens season ended last spring? It was baseball season!
Jason Mackey
2:07
I was upset because those articles made a mountain out of a molehill, hence why you never saw any of them come with my byline on them. They've had multiple "heated" conversations. But yeah, I could see how our baseball people would want to turn the page, for sure.
Dan
2:08
Do you think it’s possible that we trade Brassard for a draft pick (maybe a 1st or 2nd rounder?) and just slot one of our existing centers in the third line?
Jason Mackey
2:09
Yes, I think that's possible. I don't think they're ruling out anything here. (Have gotten this one a lot.)
Guest
2:09
Jason, why do the Pens (and media) think that Brassard is going to "come around" after being here for almost a year? I say trade him and get someone who can help them in the SCPO!
Jason Mackey
2:09
I haven't said that. I said earlier I like Brassard, but I think they're trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. ... I think the Penguins want to believe this is gonna work because it's easier that way. I just don't see how it's going to, at least not to the point that they want it to work.
MA
2:10
Why do you think we rarely see drama come out of the Pens .org? Compared to a lot of nhl teams and pitt teams they seem to either all be really happy w each other or truly keep any issues locked down and quite. Last i
Jason Mackey
2:10
They do. And Sullivan, Sid and other parts of the leadership group deserve a lot of credit for that. They certainly have their disagreements, but they do a very good job of keeping such things in-house. There's also a huge difference in cultures between hockey and football.
Will
2:10
Jason, do you think Malkin finishes his career in Pittsburgh or does he move on (I.e. gets moved) at some point? And if so, when?
Jason Mackey
2:11
I think he finishes his career in Pittsburgh. I don't get the sense he has any interesting in playing anywhere else.
MA
2:11
last real team issue i recall is geno’s fight w Craig during practice
Jason Mackey
2:11
Publicly anyway, I can't recall another thing that obvious.
FanDunce
2:11
Jason, JJ has more hits than Ian Cole and a better takeaway/giveaway number.  Is it all a matter of love lost is the best love of all?
Jason Mackey
2:12
I don't know what that last part means, but if you're giving me a choice between Ian Cole and Jack Johnson -- completely objective here, I swear -- I'm taking Ian Cole.
Will
2:12
When the penguins trade a defenseman, what are the odds it is Johnson?
Jason Mackey
2:12
Not very high.
JB
2:12
I know it would be weird on some level to trade DeSmith 5 minutes after they extended him...but I have to think his value is comparatively high at the moment based on performance and affordable cap hit.  I guess it comes down to how sustainable the team thinks DeSmith's play is and what Jarry's ceiling is, but do you see any chance that DeSmith is the goalie that gets moved (if one does) instead of Jarry at this point?
Jason Mackey
2:12
Not a chance. They like Casey a lot. They signed him to keep him around here for a while, in his current role. Jarry is the one who would go. Or they keep everyone.
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