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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 2.22.18
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Jason Mackey
1:13
Alright folks. Sorry I'm a little late. Had to write the Kessel stuff -- you probably saw on Twitter he talked about his sister, Amanda -- before I could get going on this. So, let's roll.
Chris
1:13
Hey jason do you think JR waits until monday to get his deals done or sooner ?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I think he probably waits, Chris. That's what I've been hearing -- that this stuff could come down to the bitter end, especially with Cullen.
John
1:14
Travis Yost of TSN reported last night (on twitter) that TB is “aggressively pursuing Karlson”. Do you think TB would be able to pull it off before the deadline?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I don't, John. I don't see Karlsson happening in-season. Too complicated. I don't doubt Tampa will try. Just strikes me more as a draft-day sort of thing.
Feeds
1:14
In the past week, the Pens have been linked with Brassard (TSN), Letestu (Jim Matheson), Plekanec (TSN) and Grabner (Yourself). Which one do you see the Pens getting? In your opinion, does it make sense to add a winger like Grabner, or should the Pens just stick to acquiring a centre. Also, can you see Hunwick being moved? Thanks and sorry for the long question. Keep up the good work.
Jason Mackey
1:16
Nice work adding legitimacy, not making me talk about someone's random reporting on a fan rumor website. So ... I don't think they'll get any of the lot, to be honest with you. Grabner is gonna happen soon, maybe too soon for the Penguins, and I'm not sure the price is where they need it to be. Sort of the same with Brassard. I doubt Montreal will take back the $$$ the Penguins would need on Plekanec. Letestu maybe, but if they can get Cullen, I'm more in that camp than Letestu; Cullen does the on-ice stuff and adds a little bit of room stuff to boot.
AustriaPens29
1:16
Who´s most likely a Penguin after the deadline? Pageau, Brassard or Grabner.
Jason Mackey
1:17
None of the above. But if I have to pick one, I'd say Grabner. Followed by Pageau and Brassard.
Matt
1:17
I’ve been hearing that Rutherford is between brassard and plekanec for our center situation. Plekanec will be cheaper for sure, but when Rutherford says he’s going “all in”, do you feel like he will give up the necessary assets to land brassard? Also, do you think we have enough left to get a deal done for Grabner after an addition like plekanec/brassard?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Where did you hear that he was deciding between those two guys? You may be breaking news there. ... To answer your questions, Matt: No, I don't. I don't think they have the assets necessary to get Brassard in the first place, let alone Grabner after. Think about this in basic form: The ask on Brassard is a first-round pick, a top-level prospect and another piece (would have to be Sheary or Hunwick based on $$$). Say they do it. You're out a first, Sprong and either way. With Sheary, Ottawa has to take back $2 million to get rid of a really good player in Brassard. Why do it? The Penguins hamstring themselves for Hornqvist negotiations. Let's try Hunwick. You think Ottawa is going to take $2.75 million back for a defenseman who has been a healthy scratch a lot and has struggled ... and who's 32 with two more years on his existing contract? Even if those work, and it somehow happens, they don't have another asset to give up for Grabner -- ask is likely a first -- even if they would want to.
Coming off a 16-4-1 run, they would've mortgaged multiple high-round picks and their top prospect ... for what? That's why I don't think it's likely this happens.
Jeff
1:24
Curious about "rumors" that circulate in the NHL and the people that use them as sources. I've seen a few people that are known in the NHL community that are accused of just throwing headlines out there to see if something sticks, or whatever terms people like to use.
Jason Mackey
1:25
What are you curious about? This stuff happens. Not here, but it happens. Can assure you that if I ever report something like this, it involves someone with direct involvement -- GM, agent, player himself. I don't get random rumor sites or whatever. Even less so, I don't understand reading them. It's fantasyland.
Jeff
1:25
Continuation of previous post: Since you're more involved with the hockey community than us fans, do you think this is really the case? Is it just that they may have faulty sources, or a mix of the two?
Jason Mackey
1:25
Maybe a little bit of both. I think sometimes it can also be people looking to generate discussion, couching things a certain way or simply getting bad information. Or click bait. There are a lot of ways to explain it.
PM
1:25
Please rank, one through eight, the Pens' defensemen as it pertains to the style Sullivan likes to play.  Aside from Kristoffer Letang, which of those do you think most NHL GMs would covet most?  Thanks Jason
Jason Mackey
1:27
I'm not sure what you're asking me. You started out with ranking them according to Sully's style and finished with most coveted. Those are different. First part: 58-4-8-3-28-6-22-2. Second: 8, 4 and 3 ... who aren't available ... maybe 28, who's also not likely to get traded.
Noah
1:27
Hey Jason, who do you think the Penguins are most likely to get and/or need to get by the trade deadline, if anyone at all. There’s lots of players I’d like to see them get, but realistically which would be the best option considering how the teams been playing lately? Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:28
Hey Noah. I still think Cullen (or another reasonable 4C) is the best bet. I don't think they will or it's worth it to get Brassard. They don't need him. I think they make a small tweak on the fourth line. Desharnais. Letestu. Derek Ryan. Those guys make the most sense.
HB
1:28
Where do you fall on the trade sprong scale? You know me I’m a big fan of sprong and would hate to see him go but if it nets us another Stanley cup I can’t complain.
Jason Mackey
1:28
I would listen. I wouldn't be shopping him, but I would listen. If it's for Grabner, I'd do it.
HB
1:29
Another sprong question why has Simon been able to stay up after he cooled down but sprong still sits in the AHL?
Jason Mackey
1:30
Because the bad games have been kept to a minimum, for one. Notice when Simon has struggled, it generally has been followed up with something much better. Sprong went off like a firecracker up here. Two, I think the coaching staff likes Simon's game better.
PTB
1:30
Not that you would ever abandon your family, but If you were to run off to develop and star in a circus act, which Pittsburgh athlete(s) would you request foster parent your son in your absence?  "Dad" Cullen is not an option.   Bonus question:  What might your circus act be?
Jason Mackey
1:31
I hate circuses. Little bit of Mackey Trivia there. My son will never, ever go. Despite them. Have no idea on the other stuff. Probably Crosby, though. Can I say Rutherford?
RandomHockeyGuy
1:31
As we near the deadline, what's your impression of what the Penguins do?  Lots of chatter that Rutherford is looking to go big, but history tells me the players rumored to X team are rarely the players actually moved to X team.
Jason Mackey
1:31
I don't think they'll go big. I think we're looking at Jim's reputation, mixing it with a little wishful thinking and coming up with that. The best move for this team is probably a small tweak. I think GMJR will keep his ear to the ground, don't get me wrong, but I don't think it'll be something big.
May See Gray
1:34
I've heard some stories of players 'recruiting' other players at the All-Star game ie. Auston Matthews luring Doughty to Toronto.  I know it was in jest but was there any of that on the Penguins side?  Do you know of any players that the stars would love to have on their team?  Sidney and Brock Boeser seemed to hit it off at the accuracy competition...
Jason Mackey
1:35
Ha. Sid can recruit and recruit and recruit. Vancouver isn't letting Boeser go. I'm pretty sure the Penguins winning the past two Stanley Cups is enough recruitment for an y player. They don't need to pitch themselves.
HB
1:35
Does ZAR development help with the hornqvist contract talks or Now if we lose hornqvist it’s not as big as a blow?
Jason Mackey
1:37
I don't think it matters all that much, to be honest. ZAR has done well, but eight games isn't going to diminish what Hornqvist has done for this team or what he means. I still think Hornqvist wants to go to market and get all he can, and I think he will.
HB
1:37
I know it’s a busy time of year but what has pascal dupuis been up to?
Jason Mackey
1:37
He's in Montreal, I know that. I'll dig into it.
HB
1:37
Is it out of the ordinary that Rutherford has waited this long to pull the trigger on a trade?
Jason Mackey
1:38
Somewhat. Jim generally does something in December or January. But he did make the Oleksiak and Sheahan trades. I don't think it's weird based on what he has to deal with; he just doesn't have a bunch of shoppable assets at the moment.
Rooibos
1:38
Saw your pairings at the practice today 02/22/18.  I don't understand why Sullivan is so enamored with Connor Sheary.  How is he on the 2nd PP?  If Hornqvist  plays tomorrow night, who do you think sits?  Sheary possibly?
Jason Mackey
1:39
Reaves. Might be different against, say, WSH/PHI/CBJ, but Reaves sat last game against the Hurricanes. They're just not physical. Love affair with Sheary? He's on the fourth line.
copall
1:40
For years the Pens strategy seemed to be, “never retreat back into your own end with the puck”. If the quick stretch pass into the neutral zone doesn’t pan out, fine, do whatever to keep the puck going north, always north. Lately, when faced with stiff pressure in the neutral zone, Pittsburgh seems to be a little quicker to pass the puck back into their own end, reset, and try again as a group to come up ice. Is it just me or have you also noticed this chance in approach?
Jason Mackey
1:40
I haven't noticed this as a big change in strategy, sorry.
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