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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.7.17
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Mike in Kennedy
1:17
How should GMJR navigate the pursuit of more Cups now while at the same time striving to prevent a future Sabres-like era of losing when the aging stars depart or "hit the wall" around the same time?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Same way he's been, Mike. The Penguins have done a solid job at re-stocking their system through innovative ways, mainly college free agents, guys like Di Pauli, Aston-Reese and Prow. They also have an asset in Jarry that will require some strategic management -- how to maximum the return there. But the Penguins, to keep winning, need to have a higher batting average with developing players, and they've shown the ability to do that under Rutherford.
OHIO412FAN
1:18
At this point in the season, where do you see the Penguins needing improvement most? Trade deadline ideas?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Same as it was: third-line center. Third line has to score more than it's been. I still think they could use another defenseman as well.
Logan
1:18
Potential trade targets?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Players on other teams.
Random
1:19
Heard pens will trade Sprong for young, cost controlled center, truth?
Jason Mackey
1:19
Folks: If you're going to bring "I heard" or "I saw" ... please link where you heard or saw. I'm not going to comment on garbage reports, and if we're going to entertain stuff that hasn't happen, in this sense, I'd like to be attributing it to someone. Thanks.
Daniel Sprong
1:19
Am I the first callup? If not, who is?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I think you are, Dan.
Jimmy Rutherford
1:20
Who am I looking to move(expect Cole) for depth up-front.
Jason Mackey
1:20
Hagelin would be a good move, if you can get someone to pick up that salary. I might even take back money. I'd hold onto Jarry. Sheahan should be available, if anyone wants him. Other than that, picks and prospects.
Jimmy
1:20
Do you Think we see Murray playing in Vegas? Looks like Fleury will be.
Jason Mackey
1:21
Yeah, it does look like that, Jimmy. ... I could see that happening. I wouldn't rule it out.
Logan
1:21
Is it true that Cole's agent was your source for the trade rumors and that he was the one who requested a trade when Cole was scratched?
Jason Mackey
1:21
I'm not going to publicly identify my source here ... or anywhere, really, when those people requested anonymity to discuss what they did.
Phil L
1:21
Me & My Uncle, or Mexicali Blues?
Jason Mackey
1:21
Mexicali Blues.
PM
1:22
Hey Jason. Is their a reason McKegg was sent down? Just to give him playing time down there? Sprong or someone else going to get called up? Trade incoming? Thanks a lot 😁
Jason Mackey
1:22
More just to give him playing time and get an extra defenseman up here. What's weird, though, is that Archibald should be their 13th forward, and he's not here. Although, to be fair here, McKegg cleared; he's not yet been sent down. They can, if they want, keep him.
Bonie
1:23
Hi from France Jason! As I should be the only French to weekly follow your chat, I anticipate you will have highlight my question. More seriously, when I look at the leader stats right now, and check the scores every morning when I wake up (yeaaaah the games are played at 1am in my french timing...) it seems like the NHL should have succeeded to improve the product (more PPs, more goals, highlight-reel goals seem to be scored in bunches this year,...). First, do you agree with this statement? If so, have you anticipated this during the summer? And second, is it a result of the NHL measures (officiating, rules,...) or is it due to a particularly skilled new generation with players like McDavid, Laine, Matthews, ... entering the danse while Crosby, Malkin, Kane, Stamkos, Ovechkin,... are still productive stars? I assume it is a little bit of both reasons but I’d like to know the main one for you. Anyway, I would like to thank you for this space, I can’t miss one of them...
Jason Mackey
1:25
Thanks, Bonie, for participating all the way from France. North Versailles is a long, long way. ... Anyway (kidding with that last one, by the way) ... to your points, I don't really see any rhyme or reason game-wise for the uptick in scoring -- meaning power plays, etc. I think you are onto something with the number of young stars in the game. Also, it's just sort of a stylistic thing, but because of what the Penguins have been able to do the past two seasons, a lot of teams are playing fast, uptempo games. That tends to bump the goal numbers up.
Guest
1:26
What was the very best conversation you've ever had with a Penguins player that you can share? I know Crosby usually has some crazy/phenomenal hockey tidbits he somehow remembers when no one else does or the story about him telling someone how a plane wasn't likely to crash because of (all these mechanical things no person in their right mind actually knows).
Jason Mackey
1:27
Good question here. Best conversation I've had with a Penguins player ... I'm going to go with Tom Kuhnhackl and Wegman's. One of my favorite places. One of his, too. We discussed the intricacies of their subs, and it was glorious.
Willie
1:27
Right now, by percentage of points earned, the Penguins are in sixth place in the Metro. They'd have to finish at least fifth to grab a wild card spot. Which teams ahead of them in the division do you see them passing by game 82?
Jason Mackey
1:28
Let me answered that this way, Willie: By the time things shake out, I see only the Capitals and Blue Jackets as being capable of finishing above the Penguins. The others? The water finds its level; it'll even out.
RandomHockeyGuy
1:28
Any new names floating around as possible 3C targets?  Think Rutherford looks more at a rental or older vet like a Bozak?  I'd like to see more of a Sam Reinhart, Devin Shore, Bjugstad type....younger guy that maybe hasn't developed as much as original team hoped.  Hate to have to do this whole 3C search again in a year or two.
Jason Mackey
1:29
You're warm. They want a younger guy under club control for a little. The longer we go with this, the less I think Bozak is an option. Have also heard the Vegas guys, so maybe Erik Haula? Bjugstad would be terrific. Vince Trocheck, too. But I have a tough time seeing Florida trade either one.
Alex
1:29
By the trade deadline, which teams are buyers? Which are sellers?
Jason Mackey
1:29
Of all 31? Little much, Alex. How about the division. I think everyone will look to buy outside of maybe Philly.
DO
1:29
If it hasn't been asked yet… what's your take on the Cole situation? It seemed completely obvious he was a trade piece and now he's playing again. Is JR trying to keep his value up by doing a fake out ("see, he really is worth this much!") or a deal fell through?
Jason Mackey
1:30
I wonder if a deal didn't fall through. Also, in the NHL, it's not weird for a GM to healthy scratch a guy to get everyone else's attention. "Hey, why's _____ not playing?" As I said earlier, the Schultz injury changes things. It's also possible that Jim didn't like the potential return.
ZAR
1:30
All this talk about Sprong but nothing about me? Must not be looking that good in WB, agree?
Jason Mackey
1:31
I think you're fine, Zach. As I understand it, you had some wisdom teeth issue at the beginning of the season that you had to get fixed.
Brian
1:31
I understand that solid d-men are at a premium in the NHL but I am skeptical that Ian Cole will net a good enough return to be worth trading especially because of the depleted depth on the Pens blue line. Do you think his value is adequate enough to net the Pens a good 3C that will make losing him worth it?
Jason Mackey
1:32
Hey Brian. I do think Ian Cole would be valuable enough to net what they need. To a team like, say, Buffalo -- just arbitrarily picking one here -- he has value because of his experience, one. But also because of his work ethic, likability and style. Those are important things on a building team.
Willie
1:32
Several rankings of the league's farm systems have the Penguins' at or near the bottom of the list. Does the organization believe / recognize there's that significant a dearth of young talent?
Jason Mackey
1:33
I wouldn't put a ton of stock in what you're looking at, Willie. Those rankings didn't blow up the Penguins a couple years ago, did they? Then you have a bunch of young kids come up and contribute to back-to-back Cups. The organization doesn't think there's a dearth of young talent, believe me. But you better believe they're always going to be searching for more.
Logan
1:33
Why is there only 12 fowards on the NHL roster?
Jason Mackey
1:34
I don't know what you're talking about. NHL media site has 14 listed. So does the external site.
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