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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 12.7.17
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dave
1:34
Nothing good seems to happen when Letang is on the ice.  Why didn't they scratch him instead of Cole?  Are there some internal politics involved?
Jason Mackey
1:36
By internal politics do you mean the fact that he makes $7.25 million, and that's a lot of money to sit in the press box? Or maybe the fact that he's tied for the NHL lead in assists by a D man? Look, Letang has had his struggles, but they're not going to healthy scratch him, for crying out loud. Sometimes you just have to swing your way out of a slump. And Letang is one of the few NHL D men capable of hitting homers en route to doing that.
Logan
1:36
Is a Lindberg/Eakin for Cole trade realistic at all?
Jason Mackey
1:36
Yeah, I think it's realistic. Vegas was one of the initial teams to express interest. They have some assets down the middle, although as I understood it, those guys aren't on the market yet. But if GMJR waits, it's entirely possible that deal would work. Cole would be a huge asset to Vegas.
Steven
1:36
Do you expect Dominik Simon to stay with the team after his contract expires this summer or do you see him bouncing back to Europe? He's not got a defensive game befitting a bottom 6 role and there's not really a space in the top 6 for him. He'd make a good trade piece as he's not a terrible prospect.
Jason Mackey
1:38
I definitely think Simon stays here. Or at least the Penguins will do their part to keep him here. I can't tell you where Simon's heart's at, whether he misses home or anything like that. But the Penguins like him a lot. They believe they can work on the defensive aspect, although I don't think it's as bad as you're making it out to be. He was actually quite good in that facet early on, if I do recall.
Jacques Martin
1:38
Good afternoon Jason.  Did I endorse the recent decision to bench Cole in our coaches' meeting or was that a unilateral move?
Jason Mackey
1:38
I don't know, Jacques.
HB
1:38
Do you actually think they are going to have another expansion team in Seattle? Second poor Quebec but I think a second expansion draft will hurt us more than the first.
Jason Mackey
1:38
Yeah, poor Quebec. That's for sure. But, yes, I do think the NHL will move into Seattle. Too much money not to. Will be a cool trip, but I definitely feel for the people of Quebec. Perhaps another franchise moves, though.
Lukas
1:38
Think the Penguins have interest in Sam Bennett?
Jason Mackey
1:39
Bennett or Reinhart? Have my doubts on Bennett. Have heard rumblings that Buffalo sniffed around Cole, and Reinhart would make sense.
Jerry
1:39
Might Sullivan be too loyal to those he coached at WBS at the expense of seeing a Sprong, for example, work out his game at the NHL level?  The emphasis on Sprong's lack of readiness (as well as ZAR) sounds a lot like a Neal Huntington excuse.
Jason Mackey
1:40
I think that's fair, Jerry. But Sprong also hasn't produced a ton five-on-five. He's taken advantage on the power play, which is a role he won't get here. So if they want to see him score more five-on-five while also working on his defensive play, I can understand that.
Guest
1:40
Here's a hard hitting question! Guentzel still appears to have drawn the short straw with the stall next to Crosby… Is this because he's still the most rookie of players or because he actually liked sitting there (even if it meant waiting until the scrums ended to change)?
Jason Mackey
1:41
You know, I was actually thinking about that the other day. He does still sit next to Sid. But I think he's still the youngest and has the least NHL seniority. That's aside from the goalies, who get bigger, special stalls.
J. Mayer
1:41
How in the world did I become cool? Boggles the mind....
Jason Mackey
1:41
Ha. I had my doubts, too, John, but you've won me over.
dave
1:41
...I was just pointing out that there seems to be a double standard - Letang gets to "play through" his struggles, but Cole has to sit.
Jason Mackey
1:41
Cole wasn't sitting for anything associated with his play, trust me.
LN
1:42
Do you think there is any chance any Pens, I am thinking of Malkin in particular, choose to go the Olympics anyhow?  I am thinking there could be pressure on the home front to compete.
Jason Mackey
1:42
Well, Malkin's sure going to have a tough time doing that, I can say that much. But, no, I don't think that will happen.
guest
1:42
seems like the visit to the Hockey hall of fame was a good wake up call for the Pens.  They seem to be playing better since that visit
Jason Mackey
1:43
That's fair. A couple people, including GMJR, spoke about that potentially being a good thing, a get-right kind of trip.
Jacob
1:45
I'm hearing rumors and reading sources online saying Cole will be traded this weekend...truth?
Jason Mackey
1:45
Again, link the report, and we'll talk.
Lukas
1:45
Do you Cole could land Reinhart or would there need to be some additions from the Penguin's side? Maybe an even swap if Cole agreed to a contract extension prior to the trade?
Jason Mackey
1:46
I think there would be some additions on the Penguins' side. If it happens, they would be the centerpieces of a package, I'd imagine.
Steven
1:46
Any idea what NCAA/CHL prospects are making the jump in the offseason?
Jason Mackey
1:46
I don't know, Steven, sorry. Been too wrapped up in the NHL Penguins.
Harold
1:46
Went to Saturday's WB Pens game and neither ZAR no Sprong looked especially impressive.  I now understand why management feels they need more time on the farm.  The best player, by far, was Archibald, bringing speed and physicality.  When will the Pens tire of waiting for Hagelin to produce and give Archibald a chance?
Jason Mackey
1:47
Thanks for sharing that, Harold. You make a fine point. I think the Penguins have hope that Hagelin will turn it around. I also think it would help his trade value for them to keep playing him and hopes he puts up numbers. The latter is probably a better answer to your question.
guest
1:47
what an unlucky game against New York.  They seemed to be the better team overall but had bad puck luck.  Some of winning is luck, do you think the Pens have finally run out of it?  Watching that game made me feel like it has caught up to them.
Jason Mackey
1:47
I'm not willing to say the Penguins have run out of luck because of a one-goal loss to the Rangers in December.
1:54
The one I'd want? Vince Trocheck. But there's no way it would happen. He's the perfect player on that line. Fast. Tenacious. Can do a little bit of everything. Skilled. Reasonable contract. But again, it won't happen. I think Reinhart might make some sense; Buffalo needs D, and Botterill knows what Cole can bring. Don't love Bozak because of it being a rental.
Ewok To Remember
1:54
Assuming Hags and Rust stay on the third line, what potential trade target do you think best suites their game?  Names like Reinhart, Bjugstad (cant see this one happening), bozac, vegas depth etc..have been floating around.  I'd love a young guy with club control, but do you think that necessarily translates to line chemistry/success?
TK
1:54
Do you think Ruhwedel will get some PP time?  He seems to have a pretty powerful slapshot.
Jason Mackey
1:54
Dumoulin and Maatta were on the PP2 yesterday at practice. Seems like they are the preferred options at this point.
Al Bundy
1:54
Pens schedule seemed brutal in October and first part of November. Does the NHL try to make schedules more difficult for playoff teams, or just the luck of the draw?
Jason Mackey
1:55
I think they try to make it a little harder to create competitive balance.
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