You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 1.4.18
powered byJotCast
Jason Mackey
12:51
Hi folks. Greetings from the North Shore. Let's do this, then I'm going to get on my way to snowy Brooklyn. (Well, sort of. But that direction.)
Guest
12:52
Jason, why is no one blaming our goal tending for the position we are in. They just aren' t making the saves as last year,would like to hear your take.
Jason Mackey
12:55
My thoughts would be that, no, they aren't making as many saves. Looking at their 5v5 SV%. It was .927 last year. It's .903 this season. That's a significant drop. ... Do I think that's gonna hold? No, I don't. Murray is a lot better than he's shown, and it's somewhat skewed by some early-season blowouts. But I think there are many more issues than just goaltending that have led to a frustrating first 41 games.
Guest
12:56
Jason, do the Pens really have the disposable assets to trade for a more offensive 3C and move Sheahan to 4C? With all the defensemen injured, they can't really afford to move Cole now.  JR doesn't want to move an unprotected (lottery) first round pick. Sprong has looked good so far and is cheap. No other GM wants to take on Hagelin's salary. Is there really a move out there that JR can make that would improve the team?
Jason Mackey
12:57
You're bringing up a very good point. I'm starting to have my doubts. (Because, if there was, wouldn't Jim have done it by now?) You could counter by dangling Conor Sheary, but I'm not sure if teams are stumbling all over themselves to get a guy who -- let's be honest -- is a bit undersized, has three goals in 21 games or something similar and has gone through some significant slumps recently. The easiest fix might be for Guentzel to work out in that 3C spot.
1:00
For anyone who hasn't seen it, this is the reference: "8. Quote of the Week, from an anonymous GM: “God, I hope no one helps Pittsburgh get better.” I think he’s tired of seeing them win." ... My thoughts: This is hardly surprising given who we're dealing with. But do I blame them? Not really. They're humans. Who wants to see the same team or person win everything all the time?
Guest
1:00
What do you make of the "anonymous GM" comment in Friedman's 31 Thoughts saying that he hopes other teams won't go out of their way to help the Pens by trading them players?
Do you think Sullivan with all his line shuffling has been part of the problem this year? Do you think there are any changes Sullivan can and should make to the way the Pens play that would help the team pick up more wins? For example, since they appear to be much slower now than many other teams, perhaps they should play a trap in the neutral zone and/or a more conservative defensive system?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Mike Sullivan has been the furthest thing from a problem for this team. Could he have a little more patience with his lines? Probably. But he's trying to affect change. Hard to crush a guy for that or to spin that into being the issue. And no, absolutely not on your second point. Please, God, no trap, no being more conservative. You think Crosby, Malkin, Kessel and Letang want to play a more conservative game? Mike Johnston tried it. How did that work out?
Joe
1:02
Sid looks slow out there, without his usual burst. Has anyone discussed his playing weight with him? It looked to me like he bulked up a little over the off season likely to withstand the punishment of he season, but it may be affecting his speed. Do you think he should take off some weight, as Ovie did, to improve himself performance?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I see Sid every day, in person. If he gained weight, it's nominal, hardly an issue in his performance. I thought Crosby was terrific against Philly. I'll agree, he's had his head-scratchers, but hardly alone in that regard. And it's sure not because he's fat or too muscular or whatever you're suggesting.
OHIO412FAN
1:03
Jason, could we finally be seeing this team coming out of it’s dark phase? It seems to me that the roster atonement and alterations are working slowly and surely in place with getting Letang and Murray back, as well as calling up Simon and Sprong. What do you think this team needs to do to get hot?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Couple things. And I think you're right. One, to get some bounces the way they did against Philly. Were that as good as 5-1? Probably not. But they got some puck luck. They've had nothing even close this season. Two, they need better goaltending. They got it against Philly. Three, they need scoring from more places. Whether it's the fourth line or Sprong, someone or something needs to consistently help Crosby, Malkin and the big boys.
OHIO412FAN
1:05
Looking back on that dreadful 2017 part of season, what really went wrong with this team? Any close up analysis or scoop on the inconsistency and frustration? What do you think went wrong? Like lack of scoring, PK, PP, etc?
Jason Mackey
1:07
Ha. No scoop here. Generally don't save the scoops to bury in my chat. But I think what you saw was a combination of subpar performance from notable players (Letang, Murray and, to a lesser degree, Crosby) combined with a brutal schedule, a little bit of hangover and some incredibly bad luck.
On the ice, they struggled with several parts of their game (PK, rush chances, puck management) in not small ways, to the point where they became even more pronounced because of the other stuff.
OHIO412FAN
1:07
This team is known for being closers and finishing strong. After talking with other fellow Yinzers, they say they are not worried since they know the Pens always find a way. What’s your take?
Jason Mackey
1:08
I think they'll make the playoffs. I think they'll turn it around. Will they threepeat? I'm a little scared to go there. It's been a lot of hockey, and Tampa looks really good. But I do think they'll be much better over the final 41 games.
HB
1:08
I thought Sheahan looked really good with the fourth line wingers so that trade for another 3rd line center could really help the scoring.
Jason Mackey
1:09
It could. I like Sheahan a lot as a 4C. Maybe Guentzel's the answer, who knows? But, yeah, I would try and keep Sheahan in the No. 4 spot and try to get more offense -- however you can -- on the third line.
HB
1:09
This might be a dumb question but is there any concern with the medical staff seems we lead the league every year with games lost to injured?
Jason Mackey
1:10
Nope. They've addressed it some, but I wouldn't say "concern." They're confident with how they do things and view a lot of this stuff as unpreventable. Can't say I disagree, honestly.
HB
1:10
Especially after rowney went down I notice the pens used Crosby a lot with his wingers and guentzal and sprong you think we see more of the double shifting even with 4 healthy centers?
Jason Mackey
1:11
I would avoid double-shifting guys at all costs. With all the hockey this team has played over the past two-plus years, I don't think it's the best way of doing business, if you can avoid it.
HB
1:11
Bad time for this question after the 4th lines great game but I felt in the pass two years Sullivan would run all 4 lines consistently even if they were losing, is that right or I’m I over romanticizing the past two years?
Jason Mackey
1:12
No, that's fair. But that's because past fourth lines have been more of a threat to score.
ProcolHarum
1:12
I think Ryan Reaves' off ice contributions to the team are of more value than his on ice work. I also don't feel that's a good reason to keep playing him. What do you think?
Jason Mackey
1:12
Whiter Shade of Pale, huh? ... I'm not sure what you're suggesting, but if it's to sit Ryan Reaves and have him be some sort of cheerleader, that's not going to happen. Feel free to clarify.
DrColg8
1:13
Am I the only one being driven mad by Malkin's pterodactyl with a full belly skating and him being a turnover machine?  He's got goals, sure but his game stinks.  Also, playing zero forechecking style allows opponents too much time to cream players like Jake.  When will they watch tapes of how they won last year and start making it hard to play the Pittsburgh Penguins?? We gotta hit so we can score.  Thanks Jas
Jason Mackey
1:13
This is the first time you've noticed Malkin is prone to the odd stupid turnover and doesn't forecheck a ton?
guest
1:13
There seem to be so many issues this year, at what point do they say the team just does not have it this year and that the off season signings or lack of signings (Kunitz, Daley) were not good and have hurt this team beyond repair?
Jason Mackey
1:14
It has to get a lot worse than this, trust me. I think they feel they found something against Philly, but you bring up a good point. At some point, if things don't improve, they do have to realize when to cut bait. That's not now, though.
Bill
1:14
Do you think the Penguins will actually make it *two* wins in a row tonight?   Dare to dream!
Jason Mackey
1:14
One my favorite lines in Juno: "Whoa, dream big!" (And don't you dare make fun of me for liking that movie.)
Dave
1:16
While Murray has been anointed as the number one goalie, he also appears to be the second coming of Beau Bennett (read the team has to hold its collective breath every time he laces up his skates for fear he might pull something or tweak something and go down for an extended period). At what point does management have to look at his ability to be able to only play a small percentage of what a number one goalie is expected to play? And yes, I know he is young and he has 2 cups and this is his first year as a number 1, blah blah, blah...but come on now he really needs to prove he is a legitimate number 1.
Jason Mackey
1:17
Sounds like you need to take a deep breathe, Dave. ... I don't think Murray needs to prove he's a No. 1 goaltender; I think he needs to prove he can stay healthy. Nobody in their right mind should question his ability when he's in there. I know he hasn't played great, but the kid has never ended an NHL season with anything other than a Stanley Cup. That's pretty good. ... I also don't know what they could do to address some of the stuff he's incurred. There aren't many goalies who could withstand that Voracek play and be fine.
Matt
1:17
I know we signed Hunwick this past summer, but is it possible he is on the trade block now? Considering he was a scratch the other night and presumably would have been tonight had dumo not been injured.
Jason Mackey
1:18
Yeah, I think if the Penguins got something they liked, they could move him. He can't play the right side, simple as that. With Dumo and Olli, there's only one job open there, and that probably means you have to scratch Cole. If both are healthy, right now, I'm taking Cole 100 times out of 100.
Joe
1:18
Does it make sense for JR to trade away future assets  when he doesn't even know if this team will make the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:19
No, it doesn't. But there's no guarantee that says they won't. They have a chance to win now. Simple as that. Rutherford isn't in the business of punting on seasons, nor do the Penguins want him to be.
Load More Messages
Connecting…