JotCast | Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.6.18

Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.6.18

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Andrew

1:53

Why did guys from WBS not at least get a shot when the bottom six was struggling? If the team couldn’t afford to wait for Sprong to figure it out, why are they willing to let lesser players work through their struggles?

Jason Mackey

1:54

They did, didn't they? They called up ZAR and Wilson. Grant was down there two times. They could go deeper, yes, but the bottom-six has been half-decent of late. I think that's why you haven't seen them go to Di Pauli or Blueger.

Mike

1:54

Do the penguins actually still have confidence in Murray? Or is that just coach speak to get his confidence up? Also, do you think penguins have a realistic shot at a cup this season?

Jason Mackey

1:55

They do. And they should. The dude is not far at all removed from winning back-to-back Cups. Yes, the circumstances were a little different, but he didn't suddenly forget how to play the position. There have been extenuating circumstances.

Seattle Slew

1:55

When is an acceptable time to begin worrying about what talent the Pens will have to expose to Seattle? Trying to get a head start on the anxiety

Jason Mackey

1:55

Oh, God, no. Give me a week off from Sprong questions, please, before we freak out over 2021. Please, I beg you.

Mike

1:55

Also, do you think brassard gets traded by the deadline?

Jason Mackey

1:56

It depends on how he plays. If he turns it around, of course not. They want him to work. But if he doesn't, yeah, I think he's probably the most likely to go.

guest

1:56

Is Schultz's contract up at the end of this year or does he have one more after this one? With seeing how they are struggling with him out, do you think they will push to re-sign him?

Jason Mackey

1:56

It's up after next season. Little early to do something else, especially with him hurt, but, yeah, I would have to imagine this has made them think about how much they would miss him.

Mike

1:56

How long does Sully keep Phil on line 3rd line? His production has dropped. Thanks for your work! Love it

Jason Mackey

1:57

Thanks, Mike. He's trying to be patient with Phil and Brassard and let them try to build something, even if the production has been down. I give Sully credit for that. It's not easy. You're right. They're not very good right now, but Sullivan is trying to exercise some patience with it, which can be hard for him.

1:58

Not to beat a dead horse - much - but back to the D-man question. The Pens have 8 right now, and that will jump to 9 once Shultz comes back in a couple of months. Letang, Dumoulin, and Schultz you would think are mortal locks to be in the lineup when healthy. They're probably not going to sit Maatta or Johnson with regularity, given their respective cap hits. They just signed Oleksiak to an extension, so you wouldn't expect him to be odd man out more than occasionally. I believe that Ruhwedel is waiver-eligible, so he cannot be sent down without likely losing him. Isn't the handwriting pretty much on the wall: either someone is leaving, or Riikola and Petterson are going to be in WBS sooner than later?

Jason Mackey

1:58

Yeah, they're going to have to do something. There are also ... you know, the I word. Rutherford is just gonna wait-and-see. Nothing needs done right now, but it will eventually.

Adam Smith

1:59

Did you see Guentzel’s comments on the Nylander contract? Assuming he commands 6.5-7 million a year, do you think that mean the Pens will be forced to part with a core player to fit him in? Thanks.

Jason Mackey

2:01

I did not see that Guentzel commented on the Nylander contract. I see that he said everybody noticed, which isn't really a comment. I'm not going to guess what Guentzel might make, but I do think the Penguins have the space and flexibility to handle it without getting rid of "core" players. They have a decent amount coming off the books this summer with Brassard, Sheahan, plus probably a D and more than I'm probably forgetting.

Guest

2:01

What becomes of the defense situation in February when Schultz is healthy? 9 healthy defensemen on the roster just seems wild. Surely someone gets moved by deadline?

Jason Mackey

2:01

Yeah, that's a reasonable way of looking at it.

guest

2:01

Do you think it is irresponsible if HCMS stands pat with a PP that has given upso many shorthhanded goals?

Jason Mackey

2:02

I don't think so. They gave up three last year with the same personnel. So, they're capable. They've also been the NHL's best PP in a couple decades. To me, that screams coaching more than anything.

Guest

2:02

How long until we see Nikita Palvy in the NHL?

Jason Mackey

2:02

Probably 2-3 years, I would think, from what it sounds like it.

Adam Smith

2:02

What do you think the likelihood is of the Pens shaking up their defense? Will we see players move out and others brought in or will they wait it out until Schultz gets back?

Jason Mackey

2:02

I think they're going to see what happens, if people stay healthy and productive, etc. They could also always send Riikola to Wilkes-Barre.

Andrew

2:02

I don’t think Derek Grant scoring a leaky goal against Winnipeg should buy him all the time in the world. For all the flack Sprong gets about scoring 9 pts in 42 games, it took Garrett Wilson 40 games to get ONE. Yet these guys are in the lineup game after game. If you want a grinding checking fourth line, fine. But, why not bring up speedier, younger, cheaper, and more hungry players to fill that role?

Jason Mackey

2:03

I agree with you, Andrew. Have said here a hundred times I'd be all for them giving Blueger or Di Pauli a shot, and I wish they would've given Sprong a larger role. But I don't coach the team.

Sprong’s Hairline

2:03

I am of the opinion that we don’t see any large moves the rest of the season, perhaps a depth guy near the deadline. Given there is some smoke around a potential Maatta move (albeit not much), would it not be more interesting in the summer? We will have a hole at 3C, teams have more cap/roster flexibility and we will have more knowledge of Pettersson/Riikola’s ability to take Maatta’s ice time.

Jason Mackey

2:04

I think that's totally fair. I think there's also the possibility that the Penguins simply want Maatta to keep playing for them, even though 90 percent of the fan base seems to want to trade him every other week.

Sidd

2:04

Your prediction on tonight's game?

Jason Mackey

2:04

I think they win easily. Saying 4-1.

Guest

2:04

Answer this from a fan perspective and not a writer: who in the league would you love to see in a penguins jersey?

Jason Mackey

2:04

Vince Trocheck at third-line center over Brassard.

Andrew from Long Island

2:04

Do you ever do meet and greets before games and interact with fans? My family is a big follower of your work and would love to say hi one day...

Jason Mackey

2:05

Sometimes. I don't do them because I don't think I'm that important or interesting. It's certainly not out of arrogance. I'll be at Cambria Suites today on the Fan from 5-6 if you're up that way.

Mike

2:05

Your thoughts on Phil playing on 3rd line. Seems to me he is not the same

Jason Mackey

2:05

Give it time. Sullivan is trying to let them grow something.

mike

2:05

Quick complaint about Sullivan. When he got here, he seemed opened to playing the young guys i.e. Rust, Sheary, Kuhnhackl more than Bylsma did. Why did he seem to move away from that philosophy?

Jason Mackey

2:05

Good question. I don't know. I wonder that, too. ... It's a hockey coach thing, though. Because those were his guys, and he saw them.

Mike

2:05

Why does ohio412fan get all the love? Im in ohio too if that matters!

Jason Mackey

2:05

I'm answering your questions, no?

Connecting…