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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.15.18
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Jason Mackey
2:21
They've won the past two Cups with largely the same team. If they don't win this year, I"m not chalking it up to lack of leadership. Lack of execution? Maybe. Not deep enough? Maybe, depending on the fourth line. Injuries could be a factor. Maybe Tampa or someone else is better. That could happen. But I don't look at what the Penguins have done, what they've accomplished, who's still around and think a playoff elimination, however early, could be blamed on a lack of leadership.
Stephanie
2:21
Is it better to have only 3 offensive lines, and more defensemen - 8 working pairs of defenders?  Doesn't defense win games? Thanks.
Jason Mackey
2:22
No, Stephanie, I don't agree with that. The key is to have everyone contributed. The fourth line is important because it can give Crosby, Malkin and Kessel the proper rest between shifts. It also helps when someone else chips in with a goal, and a lot of time those are the guys who do the dirty work -- block shots, kill penalties, etc. Having four defense pairs is almost too many. Not enough rotation. Guys sitting too long. There's a reason 12-6 is a thing.
guest
2:22
Did Sheary get benched yesterday or did they want to play Sheahan more?  The first line seemed to be playing fine in the first 2 periods.
Jason Mackey
2:22
It was defense-related. And to quote Sully, "It's a little bit of both."
guest
2:22
Do you thing Maatta's play is being hurt by him being now placed on the third pairing?
Jason Mackey
2:23
Not at all. If anything, I think that has helped because he often sees pretty good matchups. I wouldn't judge everything -- or anything -- based on last night. The Maatta-Ruhwedel pair has been much better.
guest
2:23
As a soccer fan I am happy to hear players use soccer to help with foot skills.  what players generally play soccer before games?
Jason Mackey
2:24
Kuhnhackl, Hornqvist, Guentzel, Rust, Malkin, Crosby, Letang, Murray (if he's not starting), believe Dumoulin ... there's probably a few I'm missing.
Aaron
2:24
Do you think a flyers penguins first round series could go to 7 games?
Jason Mackey
2:24
Yes, I do. I think it would be highly entertaining, too. But I think the Penguins would win.
Dan
2:24
Jason are the Penguins engaged in talks with any free agent college defenseman? Also the AHL players they received in the Brassard trade...where are they ?
Jason Mackey
2:25
Not going to speak on the college free agent thing. All I'll say is Dave Molinari has a story coming up about. Keep an eye out for it. ... Believe those guys are in the AHL, although to be honest, I wouldn't expect to hear a ton out of them with the big club.
Mark
2:25
Jason, how do you see the team's RFA situation playing out this summer? I don't see them having enough room for Rust, Sheahan, Oleksiak, and Jarry under the cap. Might they look to move Jarry with a contract like Hunwick or Sheary in order to make room for the other 3/other FA moves?
Jason Mackey
2:27
The cap is going to go up, No. 1. Also, RFA doesn't mean cash out on a big deal; a lot of time they're reasonable. I could see the Penguins signing someone like Oleksiak to a bridge deal, sort of like Schultz did. Sheahan and Jarry won't make all that much. They could look to move Hunwick to a team that better suits him. Even Sheary. I don't look at this like they're in any sort of serious trouble.
Mark
2:27
I'm not a Letang hater by any means, but do you think he should still be on the top PP unit? Seems like Schultz is always looking to shoot, and the PP has been pretty pass happy over the last few games. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
2:28
Yes, I do. I think they should rotate the two of them the way they do. It's the best PP in the league. I think we're quibbling here. They're absolutely different looks, with two different styles. But I'm not going to sit here and say Letang has struggled on that unit. It's hardly just him lately when it hasn't clicked.
Mark
2:28
You mentioned last week that the team was looking into Murray's mask. Do you know if they've made any changes to it after the concussion? And is it fair to say Murray is injury-prone now?
Jason Mackey
2:29
I believe they have, yes, although I can't tell you what exactly. Matt gets hurt a lot. I don't think he's injury-prone. There's a difference. Calling him injury-prone after a concussion is like saying his brain is soft or weak; that's not fair. And the Voracek hit earlier this year? Any NHL goalie would've been hurt by that. He's had a lot of really weird things happen. He needs to stay healthy for a stretch, I'll agree on that.
Pens4Life
2:29
Could you explain Corsi in lay terms? I’ve googled it and still don’t completely understand it. What does it indicate, and why is it an important stat? What is considered a good Corsi?
Jason Mackey
2:31
Good Corsi is above 50 percent five-on-five. It's the percentage of shots your team attempts with you on the ice five-on-five. If I'm on the ice for 10 shot attempts, and my team accounts for six of them, my Corsi is 60 percent. It's designing to show possession, implying that the team with the puck more is more likely to score. It's not perfect, but it's one of the few marks of possession this game has; the NHL doesn't have a clock like the NFL.
Pens4Life
2:31
I’ve seen some in the comments section already coming down hard on Brassard. In your opinion, is it just a case of him and Phil needing more time to gel?
Jason Mackey
2:32
Jell. And absolutely. Phil's not easy to play with. We've been over this. Very demanding and specific. Outside of the third period, I thought that line was actually pretty decent last night, the best it's been since Brassard became a Penguin.
Pens4Life
2:32
Jason, you are so appreciated by so many of your readers (as is indicated in numerous comments to your stories) because you take time to answer our questions and acknowledge us. Does that ever put a strain on you or cause you to lose sleep? You pump out so many stories, and to spend the time you do addressing us seems like it would be added stress! Too bad some of your colleagues don’t take the same approach.
Jason Mackey
2:34
Ha. Are my sleep habits normal? Probably not. But I try to exercise and eat (somewhat) healthy, although I'm still kind of a meathead when it comes to that stuff. I love it, though. If nobody reads you or interacts with you ... what the heck am I doing this for? Yes, it puts a crimp in your personal time. I'm actually missing time with my wife and son right now after three consecutive road trips, but they get it. It's a family thing. They support this. We're going to a late lunch when I'm done. But I'm proud of the community we've built here, hope you keep reading and appreciate all the kind words, believe me.
Pens4Life
2:34
Regarding MM’s concussion, how does that happen? One would assume one job of their masks is to adequately absorb those impacts, so is it possible there was a flaw in his? Did it hit him just right in a certain spot and was a complete freak thing? I’ve been wondering about this since it happened.
Jason Mackey
2:35
It hit him high and to the side. It's strange why there wasn't enough padding, but there wasn't. I can't tell you why that is. Makes no sense to me, either. I know the mask is constructed to deflect pucks off and to the side, but I believe this one caught him flush, his head absorbing the bulk of the impact.
Pens4Life
2:35
Is ZAR definitely out the rest of the regular season? Do you have any insight into exactly what his injury is? (I know. That’s like trying to extract classified CIA material.)
Jason Mackey
2:36
Believe it's a shoulder. Technically, no. They haven't shut him down. But he's a rookie who has missed a pretty decent chunk of time. Do I think it's likely he comes back and plays a meaningful role? No, I don't. It could happen. Just not likely.
Pens4Life
2:36
Long question here, sorry  Because you are pretty close to a lot of the players, how do you balance your obligations as a journalist while remaining on good terms with them, especially if you have to hold someone’s feet to the fire? I was a reporter and anchor for 16 years and now teach it, and I remember telling public personalities “sometimes you might not like a story I air, but I will NEVER be unfair.” I know you always say hockey players are easy going in general, but if say, hypothetically, a player got in trouble for something illegal and were arrested…does your obligation to your readers hinge in any way on the affability you share with said player? Do you feel like you could toe that line and put personal feelings aside and maintain your responsibility as an objective reporter?
Jason Mackey
2:39
Absolutely. You have to. I wouldn't be in this gig if I wasn't capable of that. I think that's something readers don't necessarily understand. We get all the time: "Oh, you get to talk to the players?" Yes, we do. But it's not the same for us as it would be for you. We see each other EVERY DAY. The fan in you gets beaten out of you early. You focus on doing your job. You appreciate the players who help you do that (Murray, Cole, Sid, guys like that) and come to terms that some of them don't help or aren't interested in helping -- which I don't blame them for. But also we ask questions. We do so professionally, respectfully and without malice. I think sometimes you guys want us to scream at them like fans. We don't. We don't. I find that nobody gets mad if you ask something in sort of a monotone, not showy, not making it about you and supporting whatever you're asking or writing with numbers. They know it's coming. It's not like when things are going bad they expect sunshine and rainbows out of us.
Pens4Life
2:39
Do you think Malkin deserves the Hart?
Jason Mackey
2:39
If his current run holds and the Penguins win the division, yes.
Daniel Sprong
2:39
Will I get called up for the playoff push?  The pens only have one callup left and if they don't use it on me I'm stuck in WBS until they are out of the playoffs and our playoffs start a week after the big club's.
Jason Mackey
2:39
Don't think so, Dan. I'd get comfortable. Maybe next year.
Bob
2:39
Hon Jason. Love your work and especially enjoy listening to your radio interviews! That said, is there any update on Zac Aston Reese? Either Sheary seemingly in the dog house, he seems like a guy who could step back onto Crosby’s line with Guentzel.
Jason Mackey
2:40
He hasn't resumed skating. Sheary will stick in that spot. And even if he doesn't, ZAR isn't a solution at this point.
Pens4Life
2:40
Better wrist shot - Ovie or Phil?
Jason Mackey
2:40
Tough to not say Ovie with 600 goals, right?
FR
2:40
Would there ever be a chance that you could get a player (Rust, Hagelin, etc) or possibly Rutherford to moderate a chat alongside you?  Rutherford has been on 93.7 The Fan in the past.  Let's get someone to be a special guest for your chat.
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