JotCast | Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 2.22.18

Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 2.22.18

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Kevin

2:14

How...HOW...is Malkin not in the 100 best NHL players of all-time? Or get selected for all-star game?

Jason Mackey

2:15

All-Star Game I can sort of understand based on his start and the screwy format and the fact that they probably want Sid because of Face of the League factors. But the NHL 100 ... I got nothing. Nobody does. It looks worse and worse by the day.

Kevin

2:15

Could Aston-Reese be this year's Rust and Guentzel?

Jason Mackey

2:15

Absolutely. So could Simon or Sprong. The Penguins have quite a system that allows for this.

Janet

2:15

Do you exercise? What kinds of exercise are you into?

Jason Mackey

2:16

I do, although not as much as I'd like. I've been lacking in motivation lately. Usually running with some lifting sprinkled in. I don't play tennis or anything like that. Sometimes some golf, not much. Used to play softball.

Jason

2:16

I think it would be wise to get the most they can with a trade if it is someone they can keep here for years,a winger or a center.Guess that means going bigger or a trade we do not see coming,What do you think?

Jason Mackey

2:17

If they can, sure. But someone who is good, cheap and offers years of club control usually doesn't come cheap. How much are you willing to give to get?

John

2:18

"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." Do you think that is because he was given the opportunity to bounce back? Sprong was benched outright against the Ducks (a game in which everyone was poor), never got back in the lineup and was immediately sent down. That seems like more than your average message sending (reduced ice time, healthy scratch for a game etc.) Simon played under 7 min against CBJ, when sully basically benched the entire 4th line, now he's back with Sid in practice. For whatever reason there appears to be a different standard for Sprong than than the rest of his teammates.

Jason Mackey

2:19

I wouldn't disagree with that. Said earlier in the chat, I'm not sure Sprong is a Sullivan favorite. He's an odd -- but talented -- player. You score 30 goals, you can be weird. Until you do, it's tough.

2:19

Might the Sheary signing be a cautionary tale for GMJR when he has to negotiate contracts with Guentzel and Rust? That maybe he should let them test the market before setting a value?

Jason Mackey

2:19

I don't think so. Good GMs look at things individually. Plus, Sheary could still be fine. You don't admit failure now. But what he does or doesn't do has zero impact on Guentzel and Rust.

Erdely

2:20

If we don't add a veteran G as a backup, do we end up carrying 3 goalies in the postseason? Does the WBS playoff run mean much?

Jason Mackey

2:20

They won't add a veteran G, I don't think. They're perfectly fine with Tristan Jarry, as they should be. Any time GMJR is asked, he'll say something like, "He may be young and inexperienced, but so was Matt in 2015-16." It's a great point.

J.R.

2:21

How much is to much for Patric Hornqvist? Can the Pens realistically afford him with all their big contracts?

Jason Mackey

2:21

First part, I'd be OK with four years, $24 million per. Anything more, and I'd worry about the back end getting ugly. That said, I think he'll get more elsewhere. They can fit him. The key will be whether or not he wants to cash out.

K/CT

2:22

I saw the Pens lines at practice today. While I am very glad to see Hörnqvist back, I have to say I love the hagelin-malkin-rust line. Any chance they stay together?

Jason Mackey

2:22

They could get back together for another game, but Friday it looks like Hornqvist will be in that spot.

August West

2:22

Props to the women's Olympic team. Great job! I'm really missing the NHL players not being in the Olympics. What's the Penguins mgmt stance on the Olympics? Pro or no?

Jason Mackey

2:23

They would be fine with it. I think management always gets nervous, especially with as many participants as the Penguins would have. But they also know the players deserve the right to play. Unfortunately the NHL doesn't seem to agree.

SarahG

2:23

It was a pretty big deal to some people when they heard Sid has a girlfriend after the story from bye week fan encounter came out. It's amazing how they keep their relationship private with the age of technology these days.

Jason Mackey

2:23

It is, but good for him. He's very much in the public eye. He deserves part of his life not to be.

K.S.

2:24

Any chance the Pens trade 72 at the deadline? Would clear up some cap space and allow for the 3C?

Jason Mackey

2:24

About as much as Rutherford coming out of retirement to serve as backup goalie.

JamesinNYC

2:25

Is there an underperforming C at the same cost as Hunwick? Then it is trading problem for problem....like Perron a couple years ago.

Jason Mackey

2:27

Interesting point you make, James. Some people could view Cullen as that, to be honest. Does Desharnais count? Has certainly had better years.

Louis Ragghianti

2:27

What is the asking price for Grabner. How can it be a lot if teams know he is a rental. I also agree that the asking price for Brassard is much to high. I agree that Hornquist is a very, very big reason that we won the last two Cups. Great two way player, does so many things that are not easy to come by. But I also agree that signing him to a ridiculous amount of money for 4 or 5 years at 31 is not a great idea and this is the type of thing that Ray Shero used to do. I think that in this day and age with the cap you need to keep developing and moving young players in and out of the lineup. I also do not believe trading for a player like Mark Letestu would be the right move. One of the things that can hurt you in the playoffs as we all know their may be a lot of games that the stars are shut down. And when this happened before the Mike Sullivan years the Pens would loose. I believe that havi

Jason Mackey

2:28

Anything else, Louis? Kidding. ... Ask involves a first. Could be that and only that. The Penguins, for their purposes, would probably have to give up a first or Sprong. ... Agree on Brassard. ... That's why I said more than four years worried me about Hornqvist. ... Letestu does add offense but gets it on the power play. Wouldn't get the same opportunities.

Louis Ragghianti

2:29

To add to that Having one dimensional players can hurt you in the playoffs like Rowney, Letestu

Soaks

2:29

Any chance Horny gets traded at the deadline - does he have any NTC in his contract?

Jason Mackey

2:29

Not sure, but it doesn't matter. They're not trading him.

Frank

2:29

Is it so that only a portion of the salary of a traded player counts agaist the cap of his new team?

Jason Mackey

2:30

Yes. Whatever the prorated portion is. But they still have to fit under the cap. Principal remains the same.

James

2:30

Do you get the sense that Letang is upset about being put down to the second power play unit? No matter how Sullivan spins it, it seems like a demotion and I have to think Letang sees it the same way.

Jason Mackey

2:31

Yeah, I don't think Kris is terribly happy about it. I think he takes a lot of pride in being out there with the top unit and doesn't want to take a backseat to anybody. ... As long as it doesn't become a problem, where he becomes a grump, I think it could be healthy.

guest

2:31

If they trade for a 4C, how do you see the 4th line looking? Does Rowney stay and move to wing, keep the current wings, or who gets pushed out?

Jason Mackey

2:32

I think Rowney moves to wing. I actually think he makes a decent wing. Could be 4C, Rowney and Reaves for bigger opponents, then maybe a scoring element such as Simon or Rust for quicker/not as much teams.

Shayse

2:32

What's your personal favorite friendship on this team?

Jason Mackey

2:32

Like between two players? Oh, the Malkin and Kessel stuff is tremendous.

guest

2:32

so how much did the press have to bribe Kessell for that interview last week :) He is priceless!

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