JotCast | Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.1.18

Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.1.18

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Guest

1:33

Does the NHL have a Combine like the NFL?

Jason Mackey

1:33

It does. It's usually in Buffalo.

hockey

1:33

Mackey, has being a father impacted your reporting style? I know several prominent journalists who said that they radically changed their prose and approach to stories after becoming fathers. Thoughts?

Jason Mackey

1:34

I don't think so. Maybe it's made me more compassionate, but I tried to be that before. I think it makes you work more efficiently than maybe you did before.

Guest

1:34

When, if ever, will Pedan get a look? If for no other reason to see what he can bring to the defense.

Jason Mackey

1:34

They'd probably have to have two guys get hurt. There's just not a job for him right now.

Guest

1:34

JR is putting an incredible amount of faith in a pretty mediocre defense, is he hoping to win playoff games 6-5?

Jason Mackey

1:35

I think GMJR was limited in what he could do. Would Jordie Benn really have made a huge difference? I get some of the concerns over Hunwick, but we're talking about a third pair here, people. The lines they're defending aren't exactly the best of the best. Plus, the sample size of Hunwick-Oleksiak still has been relatively small.

RandomHockeyGuy

1:35

Very interested to see Carter Rowney's usage tonight. He played only 4 minutes against NJ, very little PK time, and took zero face-offs. If that type of usage continues, I would much rather see Rust moved to 4th line, as Rust and Kuhnhackl had some good chemistry with Dad 2 years ago. Call up Sprong and stick him with Sid. The kid is a point per game player in the AHL, and has been much better at setting up players since his return to the AHL. It's not like he's down there with 40 games played and 10 points.

Jason Mackey

1:36

Agreed. I'm curious how the fourth line pans out. It needs to give the Penguins something. Even if it's hitting and energy. What they did Tuesday won't work. They need to generate more. ... If it doesn't, I think you easily could see Sprong up and Rust on the fourth line to try and help it.

1:36

The Pens received a 3rd rd draft pick from Ottawa in the Brassard deal which, of course, included Cole. The Sens flipped Cole for a 3rd from CBJ. Why not simply allow Ott to keep their (better) 3rd rounder and retain Cole for the playoff run? The Pens had $2.02M (prorated, per CapFriendly) in salary cap available at the deadline. The difference in Cole's salary and available cap space was $80K, which it would seem the Pens would've been able to maneuver around. Having Cole in the lineup would've given them a better chance of winning again than does Hunwick.

Jason Mackey

1:37

Because you're looking at this in hindsight. What if Ottawa got a second for Cole? Then it's a completely different ballgame.

Jeff

1:37

Where do you see Aston-Reese in the lineup after he heals up, realistically? He had some good games before the trade deadline, but I imagine he rotates with Kuhnhackl or Rowney on the 4th.

Jason Mackey

1:37

I don't think he'll be back by the end of the regular season. And if he is, I have a tough time seeing him work his way back into the top 12.

Ralph

1:37

Why does Sully keep playing Kuhnhackl and Rowney? We need 4 scoring lines, Call Simon and Sprong up so we can have 4 lines that can score.

Jason Mackey

1:38

Seems to be a lot of fan angst over this. I get it. Sully likes those two. But the fourth line needs to score. If they don't tonight, or at least don't generate, I think it's reasonable for Sully to make a move.

Guest

1:38

Any reason why DeSmith is presumably getting the nod ahead of Jarry when they both lost their last games played? Does Sully prefer the way DeSmith plays or is he just going with who he thinks has the best chance at keeping goals out at this point? I just feel like their might be some tension between Jarry and some of the management based on how he's been treated his season.

Jason Mackey

1:39

No tension with Jarry, trust me. I think they think -- and agree -- that DeSmith has played better of late. Simple as that. He was decent against Jersey Tuesday. Sure wasn't the reason they lost.

1:39

Hey, Jason! University journalism instructor here, and I have a lot of students who want to be hockey reporters/callers. Any advice you'd be able to give 'em? Most unexpected awesome thing about reporting on the Penguins? Or maybe something that's a lot harder/not what you expected?

Jason Mackey

1:40

It's very hard. It's supposed to be hard. That's what I would tell your kids: Don't expect to have much of a personal life for a while, don't expect to make a lot of money, the players become much less cool when you do this. ... But hopefully you love writing and telling stories and believe in the greater good of journalism. (Obviously sports is a little different.)

Ewok to Remember

1:40

With Reaves gone, is the club expecting Oleksiak to play the hard hitting, "star protector" role the rest of the season?

Jason Mackey

1:40

A little bit, but not a ton. They just want him to play his game. Facts are facts, though, and he's probably the only fighter they have. If something goes down, he has to step up.

Ewok to Remember

1:40

Any update on ZAR's injury?

Jason Mackey

1:40

He's out longer-term with an upper-body injury. That's what we know.

Paul

1:41

With ZAR out who do you see being recalled once the Murr is ready to go? Simon? Sprong?

Jason Mackey

1:41

I think it's independent of Murray, and I think it's Sprong's turn.

Chuck_in_D.C.

1:41

Hoping to get question in early... Has anyone ever thought of a Sumo wrestler (600+ lbs.) as a goalie? These athletes are quick and would take up a lot of the net.

Jason Mackey

1:41

It's an interesting premise, Chuck, but there's much more to goaltending than taking up space.

Stewsey

1:42

Thoughts on trying Sprong with Brassard?

Jason Mackey

1:42

I think we should wait one game before freaking out over Brassard-Kessel. Give it some time.

Ewok to Remember

1:42

How many Sheary performances like Tuesday's will it take for Sullivan to scratch him in order to tryout one of the young guys on the third line?

Jason Mackey

1:42

I think we're flirting with it. Sullivan has tried to spark him. Hasn't happened. If he's going to get those minutes, he has to do something with them. Simple as that. I think we're close to healthy scratch territory.

Paul

1:42

I know we typically like 8-D, with Cole gone i would like to see Pedan get a shot. Any insight who would be the most likely call-up?

Jason Mackey

1:43

The third Pedan question. When did he become the savior here? ... It's probably Pedan, but I'm not sure he'd bring with him a 2-0 goal, just FYI.

Mark

1:43

The recent winning streak got Pens in “fire-wagon mode”—which was unforgivingly doused by NJ. We know they can play the patient game—how does Sullivan get them back to it?

Jason Mackey

1:44

Have to reinforce puck management. Has been lacking the past couple. Take care of it, make Boston play 200 feet. Devils looked fast Tuesday because the Penguins allowed it. Not only that, they helped it.

Ewok to Remember

1:44

Can you give a quick explanation of the whole Jarry to ahl for ahl eligibility thing?

Jason Mackey

1:44

You have to be on the AHL roster by a certain date, on a certain date, to be eligible for the playoffs.

Basil

1:44

Hi. 1st line: Brass-Sid-Sheary. Y/N?

Jason Mackey

1:44

No.