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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 2.8.18
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Jason Mackey
1:14
Reaves' presence is a completely different discussion. Believe owners would have a say, but only over-arching when it comes to the NHL Department of Player Safety. They didn't get to weigh in on the Oshie hit, for example.
HamOnTheCob
1:14
Cole is playing great. Has he (A) cemented his spot on the Pens roster or (B) bolstered his stock for a likely trade? If he stays, which other D is likely on the move?
Jason Mackey
1:16
Cole has played great. As long as he's playing, I think there's a good bet he stays. One bad game and Sullivan yanks him, that might change things. If he stays, I'm not sure anybody would be on the move. They could trade Ruhwedel for something small, but why? With the injuries they've suffered, and with as much as Hunwick has struggled, it might not be the worst idea to keep 8. Also, the guys in WBS (Corrado, Trotman) aren't exactly knocking down the door.
copall
1:16
Are you concerned that Shultz hasn't scored much at all this year? I don't think he has scored a goal since early November.
Jason Mackey
1:17
Funny you ask, talked to Justin about this the other day. Gonna write it soon. He alluded to lacking confidence, and I don't blame him. The lack of power-play time takes an obvious hit in his points, but he hasn't produced much five-on-five, either. So, to answer your question, I'm not concerned, but I do think there's work to be done when it comes to his offense.
HB
1:17
Do you think we will see sprong soon I know his last couple games left a lot to be desired but he a scorer and maybe putting him with malkin would be good
Jason Mackey
1:18
I do think we will see Sprong again this season at some point, but it doesn't look like it'll be Friday. Looks like Sullivan is loading up his top six and putting Malkin back with Kessel. I agree with the Malkin fit; I think it's worth exploring. But for several reasons that I mentioned earlier, management doesn't seem to be in a rush to bring Sprong back.
HB
1:18
When the pens won the Stanley cup for the first time were the fans as crazy as the philly fans Sunday?
Jason Mackey
1:19
I was 7 at that time, so my view on the world was a little different. But I hope -- and can probably guess -- that they were more civil than that.
HB
1:19
With the team playin better as of late does cole still get traded he’s definitely better than hunwick olesiak
Jason Mackey
1:19
I don't think so. As I sit here today, I think they'll keep him.
1:20
He's better than the other two by a lot right now.
John
1:20
The consensus lately seems to be that because Sheahan is  playing well maybe an upgrade at 4C is the way to go. Do you think the opposite could be true? That because sheahan seems more comfortable at 4C and is capable of elevating less skilled wingers, that they may go all in for a skilled 3C? Which would give them the depth Sully craves and the ability to not hide the fourth line (Kuhnhackl, Rowney, Reaves should NEVER play together).
Jason Mackey
1:21
I believe what I wrote this week in my 20 Thoughts: that it looks at this point like they're cool with Sheahan as the 3C and will potentially add to the No. 4 spot. Agree with you on 34-37-75 as a line. Not much there. That, though, will be a moot point for a bit with their injury situation.
Pens4Life
1:21
Do you have all or some of the players’ cell phone numbers? In your article the other day you mentioned Fleury called you before he came to town. Just curious if you’re able to call or text the guys when you want, or if you always have to go through the Pens’ media relations folks if you want to talk with someone.
Jason Mackey
1:24
I have some, not all. A few emails, too. I texted and talked with Fleury because Vegas media relations was non-helpful. They would not give me access to Fleury postgame, when I was planning a trip to D.C. Sunday. If the shoe was on the other foot, I'm confident the Penguins would've accommodated the request -- from a beat guy of the major metro daily in town, a non-negative story about a player. So I went another route. I've texted and emailed with some. Would rather not name names, but you also need to respect privacy; it's certainly not a regular thing. Only when absolutely necessary.
Pens4Life
1:24
Do you and your PG colleagues read each other’s work? Do you read, say, Ed and Ray’s Steelers pieces and Brink’s Pirates reports, and conversely do they read your Penguins columns? If so, do you offer and receive constructive criticism?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Sure. I try to read everything in the PG. I'm from here, grew up reading the PG, have idolized Ed (and Gerry, Gene, Ron and Dave) for basically my entire life. There's nothing I can say that they don't already know, believe me. So I keep my mouth shut. But I read the paper every day -- in print -- and love it. Wish I could do it more but like all of us, just sometimes a little busy.
Pens4Life
1:26
Ian Cole stay through the end of the season at this point?
Jason Mackey
1:26
I think so, at this point.
Tony
1:26
Do you think Jacques Martin will get another opportunity at a head coaching job in the NHL?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Eh, the league is skewing younger with head coaching jobs. I don't know if that's even something Jacques wants at this point. At his age, my sense is that he's pretty happy where he's at. Could be worth asking him, though.
Kim
1:26
What do you think Matt Hunwick's future with the Penguins will be?
Jason Mackey
1:27
I honestly don't know, Kim. Wish I had something better for you, but it's sort of TBD. He hasn't played well enough to crack the top-six; he's not tradable; and they have him for two more years after this one. I'd imagine somebody will get hurt again at some point -- Penguins defensemen always do -- but what that leads to ... who knows?
Pens4Life
1:27
Do you think another Sprong call up is imminent?
Jason Mackey
1:28
Not imminent. That's a strong word. And they would have done it for today's practice. But I do think he'll get another shot.
HB
1:28
My idea for the allstar game that I forget to mention last week keep the 3on3 and fan vote the captains but then have the captains draft there team make for new combinations that we want to see
Jason Mackey
1:28
You lost me at "keep."
John
1:28
Do you think that the Vegas win convinced Sully that when the injuries hit Guentzel has to play with Sid and Phil with Geno? That in those situations spreading the talent out just dilutes all 4 lines? I.E kuhanhackl top 6 RW. And that they should roll two dominate lines
Jason Mackey
1:31
I don't know if the Vegas win did specifically, but I think Sullivan is just handling his team the way most coaches do. Yes, he would like balance. But if there are injuries, then he's aware he's going to fare better by playing his best players together.
Mike in Kennedy
1:32
It would be bold and risky. It would be like the Recchi for Tocchet trade. What would you think about GMJR trading the hard-to-coach Kessel now while his value is at a maximum (though not sure how his contract would affect his value)? Possibly acquire a talented young center for 3rd line and insurance against a Crosby or Malkin injury.  Can you think of a Cup-contending team in desperate need of scoring that might be a trade match involving Kessel?
Jason Mackey
1:33
They've won 11 of 15, could challenge for the division lead, and Kessel is one point shy of leading the league in points. I really don't think that's in the cards. ... Offseason could be a different story, but you would need to be 100-percent convinced Sprong is ready. I'm not there yet. No even close. No need for the Trade Phil talk right now.
Befuddled
1:33
Jason, I know sullivan pushed all the right buttons, and won 2 cups, etc.  But in the world of what have you done for me now..   Why would you insert Khun into a top 6 role when you have Daniel Sprong  languishing in WBS,  Simon started great and has since cooled some and didn't even see a shift in the 3rd period against NJ.  This feels like off ice issue.  Ian Cole,  he ticked off Sullivan and was benched in favor of Hunwick, Ian Cole is not a top tier D, but the guy is way better then Hunwick.    DeSmith,  he got shelled against NJ, he made 2 mistakes only got 1 goal in support and still put up over a 92% save percent game. Arguably our best goalie as all 3 play right now,  yet he is sent down.   Not understanding Sullivan's decisions right now.  I can go on. Kessel-Malkin are arguably the best duo in hockey right now, I get the balanced attack thing,  but the
Jason Mackey
1:35
I'm going to let Mike Sullivan lose a playoff series first before I start typing away, asserting that he's an idiot. ... What if Sprong needed more time? ... So Sullivan and Cole have have had run-ins; do you think that's the first time in the history of pro sports that has happened? ... He rode the hot hand with DeSmith, he turned into a pumpkin, now Jarry is here.
John
1:35
Ok last comment. I don't understand the Sprong defensive fears from the staff/front office. I thought on the puck he was easily one of their better players. Using his speed and size to hound the puck carrier in all 3 zones. He does need to improve positional discipline away from the puck. But guys like Reaves, Sheary, and others make Sprong look like Pavel Datsyuk defensively. Sheary has always been brutal defensively, but gets leeway (as he should because of what he brings in other aspects). I think Sprong deserves the same latitude.
Jason Mackey
1:36
You make some good points, John. I think Sheary gets that latitude because he's helped win two Cups and has scored consistently for pretty long stretches. Sprong has done neither of those things. It's different. It just is.
guest
1:36
Hi Jason,  you beat the team to Dallas, what are your plans for the day :)
Jason Mackey
1:36
Gonna finish this, maybe take a nap, go for a run, get some BBQ tonight, see some of the city and try to watch the Stars game. Any suggestions?
Jason C
1:36
Hello Jason hope you are well Sir and as always thank you for having this 1 o’clock Chat! So is there any names you are hearing about of interest for the Pens Trade wise? Is there anyone you think to keep an eye on from your prospective?
Jason Mackey
1:37
If anything, rumblings about guys they're interested in has cooled; they might just roll with Sheahan as the third-line center. Matt Cullen is one to watch.
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