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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.6.18
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Jason Mackey
1:23
Ha. Not sure on that one, Mario. Still making my list. Something Grateful Dead-related.
Jason
1:23
Hi Jason.  There's a rumor going around today (https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/source-pittsburgh-penguins-willing-to-...) that the Penguins are now willing to move Olli Maata because he doesn't skate well enough for the system.  Have you heard this at all?  If they are willing to move on from him, what is a realistic expectation of value for him?  And do you think, as I do, that any move to subtract from the defense right now may be too risky?
Jason Mackey
1:25
Saying GMJR is "willing" to move someone really doesn't say much at all. If he got Connor McDavid, I'm sure he would be "willing" to trade Phil Kessel. GMJR is pretty much "willing" to deal anyone at this point except for Crosby, Malkin and maybe Letang with the way he's played. ... The Penguins have actually been very happy with Maatta of late, and they believe he's legitimately part of their top-four on defense. Does that mean they're never going to trade him? Of course not. They do have a bunch back there, and maybe they get a Maatta deal that makes sense. But viewing that he can't fit within their system is flat-out wrong.
Christian
1:25
Hi Jason, what do you make of the report from Friedman that GMJR “tested the market” for Kessel?
Jason Mackey
1:26
GMJR did the same thing over the summer. He made other GMs aware that Kessel could be had for the right price ... and it wasn't low. Similar stuff now. I'm not sure why this is viewed as huge news or anything.
FR
1:26
I've counted at least four breakaways ZAR has had over the last couple of games that he has not been able to put past the goalie.  He does not finish.  What is ZAR doing to be able to justify his ice time?  Seems to me like he is the new Conor Sheary on this team.
Jason Mackey
1:27
I think the sample size is a little small there, and remember that Sheary did once score 23 goals. ZAR has also grown more comfortable throwing his body around. He needs to finish more, yes, but he's played 29 NHL games. I don't think he needs to have everything figured out yet.
Rahn
1:28
Is Niclas Almari the Penguins' closest prospect to NHL duty, possibly sometime next year?
Jason Mackey
1:28
I think Teddy Blueger is probably the closest, Rahn. On the back end, it's probably Ethan Prow.
Guest
1:28
What becomes of the defense situation in February when Schultz comes back? Surely the team doesn’t roll with 9 defensemen on the roster. Starting to look likely someone gets moved, no?
Jason Mackey
1:28
Yeah, I think that's fairly likely. GMJR has given himself some flexibility back there. And it might be smart, too, as people often overpay for defensemen.
Christian
1:28
Jason, a lot of people of focused on the negative with Johnson. But what do you think he has consistently done well in his play/his best asset per say?
Jason Mackey
1:29
He's been very good on the PK. Can hit a little. He's fine in third-pairing minutes. Yes, it's hard to commit five years on a third-pair guy, and I think that's why people freak out over the contract. But he can defend who he should be defending well enough, he's a good dressing room guy, a veteran leader and someone everyone likes and respects.
Guest
1:30
If you were stranded on a deserted island with 4 members of this current roster, who would it be and why?
Jason Mackey
1:30
Sid -- obvious
Murray -- obvious, too. ... Then I'd probably go ZAR because he's just an interesting dude that can actually carry on a conversation. ... And then maybe Oleksiak because he'd like rip a tree down or something to help out.
Foghorn Leghorn
1:31
Jason, I say Jason, good to chat with you 'gain, my friend. Pens give up on our boy Sprong too soon? Don't think he was put in the best situation...if you know what I'm sayin'.
Jason Mackey
1:31
I don't think so, no. Never got a chance here. But it was time to move on for GMJR given the situation he was looking at.
Daniel Sprong
1:31
Will I have better success out West?
Jason Mackey
1:31
Or success at all?
Nikita Kucherov
1:31
Hey Jason, who do you see as the top four teams to make it to the conference finals this year?
Jason Mackey
1:32
I like Tampa and Washington in the East and Nashville and San Jose in the West. Not very original picks, I know, but that's what I think.
Mason Jackey
1:32
Is it me, or when I look at the Caps lineup and compare it to the Pens, to me, the Pens seem to have the much better team on paper for sure. Why are the Caps better than the Pens?
Jason Mackey
1:33
Good name. Ha. ... Well, the Caps have more lines that can be a threat consistently. They're better down the middle, right now anyway. Goaltending has been better. ... I think that stuff can change, the Capitals have been a deeper team than the Penguins since probably the second half of last season and definitely in the playoffs.
OHIO412FAN
1:33
Can we expect more trades to follow with GMJR? How much more will Rutherford have to do in order to be satisfied with the current roster?
Jason Mackey
1:33
He's going to wait and see. Needs to watch goaltending, third-line center, depth scoring. I don't think anything is imminent as I sit here right now, but there's a couple areas he's watching closely.
OHIO412FAN
1:33
Are you a fan of the current lineup and four line combinations and on the blue line as well? If not, what and who could be changed?
Jason Mackey
1:34
I actually am ... other than I would like to see Blueger or Di Pauli get a shot. I'm not seeing what Wilson is bringing to justify a lineup spot right now with Simon out. And, heck, maybe Simon comes back Saturday, and this becomes a non-issue.
OHIO412FAN
1:34
Any expectation for when Murray will return? Can he get back to being his old self?
Jason Mackey
1:35
I'm thinking before Christmas. ... And, yeah, I think he can. I think this was exactly what he needed: a fresh start. If his head's right, and he's finally physically fine, I'm really interested to see where this goes.
OHIO412FAN
1:35
Do you really think the Penguins would actually trade Kessel, Brassard? What could they possibly be looking to get for them?
Jason Mackey
1:36
I think they would be more open to dealing Brassard, if they determine he's not a fit. Kessel, it would have to be the type of thing where the season is a transition year, and they're trying to free up money/acquire picks and prospects to sustain the championship window. If they're winning and going for it, they need Phil.
OHIO412FAN
1:36
Who do you think is next in line to be traded from the Penguins? Maata? Who else could be? Do you see the Penguins looking to acquire a goaltender?
Jason Mackey
1:36
I don't they will try, no. Unless Murray gets hurt again or really stinks. I would say it's a tie because Maatta and Brassard, because they are two of the only possibility who would actually fetch something.
Shawn "Bea" Endler
1:36
Is this the last best chance for the Pens to pursue the Cup? How many years realistically is the window open per se?
Jason Mackey
1:37
Until their franchise players start slowing down, in my opinion. And for as much as has gone wrong this season, it's hard to pick on Crosby, Malkin or Letang.
OHIO412FAN
1:37
What do the Penguins need to do in order to get back to playing good old dominant Penguins hockey?
Jason Mackey
1:37
Better goaltending, for one. Need offense from more than one or two lines. Out of their zone quicker. And play at least enough defense to get by.
Noah
1:37
Hey Jason, apologies if this has been asked already. But, seeing as how the Penguins have just traded Sprong for another LHD, they have too many, especially when Schultz comes back, there’ll be a logjam on that left side with a LHD having to move back to that left side. So do you think the Penguins have any intention on moving a defender / have you heard any rumblings about a possible trade in the making?
Jason Mackey
1:38
Hi Noah, I think there will be something else that happens. They simply have too many bodies right now, although they could send Riikola down if they had to. ... But, yeah, they probably will need to move a D at some point.
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