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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 2.8.18
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Jason Mackey
12:47
Hi folks, Greetings from wonderful Dallas, a great NHL road city. Let's do this chat thing over a burger from my hotel. A Marriott, of course.
Erik
12:47
I love you JM, but can you please stop pumping the Matt Cullen horn?  The Penguins maximized Cullen, who at this stage of his career, is no longer useful.  He's getting crushed from a possession standpoint and his production is down significantly.  I just don't see how he could helped a true contender.
Jason Mackey
12:47
Erik,
12:48
Thanks for the kind words. I'm not pumping the Matt Cullen horn because I need a hobby, although I do. I'm pumping it -- whatever that means when it comes to horns -- because it's realistic enough to report it. I'll say this about Cullen's 2017-18 season: Minnesota isn't a great. While I've seen the same numbers you have, players fit differently with different teams. Pittsburgh is a better fit for Cullen, and he knew it before he made his decisions, which was mostly done for family reasons.
Jacob
12:49
There is a lot of talk about GMJR being not so quick to jump on a move. Do you think there will still be a move made at the deadline? Sheahan has looked pretty good playing along side Reeves. Also based on the way Cole has played of late do you maybe see him staying and someone like Hundwick on the way out?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I think they will do something. Do I think they will add a big-time 3C? Probably not. Especially after what I heard this week. They're warming to Sheahan, especially when you cross that with what it would cost to get a legitimate third-line center. May be better to re-evaluate in the offseason. Sheahan has helped his stock by improving his play with Kessel as well.
12:51
As for Cole, yes, I do see him staying. The indications I've gotten are the Penguins are less interested in trading Cole because of how well he's playing ... especially when you consider the other options they have right now.
jIM
12:51
Jason  What is the deal with Cole?     Is it style of play, personality or something else. They seem to be dying to get rid of him?
Jason Mackey
12:52
They didn't think he played particularly well early on. I disagree, but my opinion doesn't matter. There have also been issues with Cole and Sullivan. Not that it's untenable, it's not. But more with him being a UFA and not playing great (in their minds) ... plus with Cole pretty much wanting to be traded to somewhere he'd play, that's where the trade talk came from. Now he's playing and playing better than anyone else they have ... so the idea seems to be -- at least for now -- to keep him and get everything they can out of him.
copall
12:52
What do you think, was Fleury wiping away sweat or tears during his video tribute the other night?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Tears. Absolutely tears. He cried and sort of expected to cry. His wife did, too. Fleury loved it here, and Tuesday was as emotional for him as it probably was for you.
Lukas
12:53
Assuming the Penguins keep their 1st round pick. What position do you think they'll look to select first?  Other needs to address in the draft?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Good question, Lukas. Will obviously depend on the draft, but if you look at their organizational depth, they definitely don't need a goaltender. Defense is probably their weakest spot, although not to take one and ignore a very good forward. That said, if I had to pick one, I'd go defenseman.
James
12:54
Hearing some rumors about a Matt Cullen trade back to Pittsburgh. Didn’t he choose Minnesota? Do you think he would want to come back?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Gee, wonder where you heard anything about Matt Cullen and coming back? Yes, he wants to come back. He doesn't want to abandon Minnesota, but he loved it here, would do it again but also doesn't want to just run out of Minnesota. He made his decision for family reasons, very little to do with hockey. He hasn't been a great fit there, and they may choose to move him on their own accord. Cullen would not turn it down, trust me.
Steven
12:56
Any indications as to who the 4C options might be? I saw the Penguins were scouting Buffalo quite hard, any idea what they were looking at over there?
Jason Mackey
12:59
Reinhart would be a solid fit, although not necessarily as a 4C. They've done due diligence on Evander Kane, too. Not saying that's why they were scouting Buffalo, just that GMJR considers all options. Suppose Larsson, but I'm not sure he'd add much.
Lukas
12:59
Do you see any of the Penguins current young guys making a contribution similar to what Guentzel did last year in the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Absolutely. Sullivan does a great job integrating young players into the lineup, and Crosby handles them well on his line. I'd be an idiot (more than usual) to say that would be impossible. Simon and Sprong could easily break out and contribute the way Guentzel did.
Alex
1:00
Does Jordy Bellerive and his rapid emergence (72 points in 51 games) in the WHL make Sprong expendable? Does it make getting a rental center at the TD more acceptable?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Good for Bellerive, but he isn't going to change their views on Sprong, a second-round pick, or influence in any way what they do at the deadline.
Alex
1:01
Over/under on how many more days until GMJR starts wheelin’ and dealin’ ?
Jason Mackey
1:01
7
HamOnTheCob
1:01
Any chance the Pens move a goalie? If so, which one, where to, and what’s the return?
Jason Mackey
1:02
GMJR told me no. Doesn't want to talk goalies with anybody. I'll go ahead and believe Jim. He's a straight-shooter, and I have no reason to think he's lying ... although if I was him, I would.
Guest
1:03
Sprong played ok when he was called up....more than fine defensively, and he has a wicked shot. I really don't understand why he hasn't been called up again after all the injuries.  Do you?
Jason Mackey
1:04
On one hand, consistency. He didn't have enough of it. Also, I think they think he can be an elite player, and they're not giving to live with mediocrity from him. Third, I'm suspicious of how this coaching staff (read: Sullivan) feels about him. He's not a typical Sully guy. A little brash. Plays a game that doesn't necessarily fit what Sully likes to do. I'm more confident I'm right with Nos. 1 & 2, but I wouldn't rule out No. 3.
saneman
1:04
is there a chance Pens could just consider Cole THEIR rental and not trade him since he offers a type of play that adds a different dimension to their D corps and makes it more versatile?  Is Hunwick tradable or do they something more daring by trading a Dumoulin  type player to get a good forward in return and free up cap space(akin to those early 90s trades where you traded quality to get quality)?
Jason Mackey
1:05
There's a very good chance Cole stays. Got that one before. ... As for Hunwick, no. He's a 32-year-old defenseman in the first year of a three-year deal that pays him $2.25 million per season, and he hasn't been good at all here. Not exactly marketable.
Quality 3C
1:06
I understand I may be among the most popular to be named players in Pittsburgh.   A couple of imposters have been brought on board.  And some players who have seen better times (Letestu/Cullen) and are past their prime have been discussed.  But I've been hearing my name in  rumors since July 1.  I'm beginning to think I'll be playing elsewhere.   Jason, why should I believe GMJR is really going to successfully trade for me after all this time?
Jason Mackey
1:06
You've proven elusive, Quality 3C. And you've occupied my chats for far too long. It may be time to say goodbye. I hope.
Guest
1:07
Did you notice a marked improvement in play (faster) against LV once Kuhn and Rowney were out? I did.  It seems obvious that the slower grinders should be replaced by faster kids from WBS.  The team clearly should not be playing all four of Kuhn, Rowney, Reaves and ZAR at the same time.  Sullivan keeps saying they want to play fast, a speed game, yet his actions belie that by playing too many plodders.  Agree?
Jason Mackey
1:08
No. Reaves scored a goal, for one. And his line with Sheahan and Aston-Reese was actually pretty decent. You're taking 50 minutes of play against a Western Conference team and applying it to the Penguins' entire season. I'm OK with having a fourth line that's a little heavier and not as fleet of foot, but your top three lines have to score. Notice when the Penguins have been getting more of that lately that they've been winning? Funny how that works.
Guest
1:08
Jason, you seemed pretty convinced our only move by the trade deadline will be Matt Cullen.  Is it really that bad out there for 3Cs and LWs?
Jason Mackey
1:10
There's more to it than that, but prices are high. One, they like Sheahan. They've been warming on him. Two, they don't have great assets to trade. Sheary was hurt. Hagelin has actually been pretty good. Who else do you deal to make room money-wise? They're weighing the assets they could keep by committing to Sheahan versus what they'd have to give up to get someone. Can understand why they would think the upgrade might not be worth it.
Mike Johnston
1:10
Jason, As a student of coaching, I'm beginning to conclude that NHL coaches are like symphony conductors:  it's really about the players.  Why for 3 months, these Pens looked just like they did when I coached there.  And MS had no solution whatsoever.  He made the same comments "get to our game", "play north south" "be hard to play against" , but to no avail.  Then comes January, and the Pens begin their push.  Am I wrong?  Look at the Jersey game last Saturday.  MS was helpless again.
Jason Mackey
1:11
I think there's some truth to what you're saying, Mike. Hello, by the way. You're a good man. Given what this team has accomplished, I think what we're seeing is the futile task of trying to get them to care in October, November and December. Looks like we're out of that period, thankfully.
HB
1:11
If Phil kessel 2x time Stanley cup champion wins the scoring title do you think they will give him the hart trophy?
Jason Mackey
1:13
It's an interesting question. He's been their most consistent player. If MacKinnon comes back and make a run, I think I'd have to think long and hard about that; he's that valuable to the Avs. But Kucherov is on a loaded team. Also, Malkin. What if Malkin keeps this up? Could change the calculus a bit.
guest
1:13
Do the owners have any say in how player discipline is handled for the league?  There needs to be changes and it seems maybe owners need to get involved to protect their players.  How does Oshi get a small fine for what he did to Letang?  And Reaves was on the ice for that so player deterrence does not work.   Suspensions is only thing that will work.
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