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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.22.18
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Jason Mackey
12:54
Hi, folks. Thanks for stopping by. Always appreciate you taking time out of your day to do this. .... And away we go.
Zack
12:55
The defense just has too many holes in it to make a serious run.  We keep hearing "correctable mistakes" but you want to be peaking at this point in the season, not making mistakes.   Columbus now has Cole and has ripped off 8 in a row.   The Pens have been about a .500 team since the trade.   You can't possibly see the Pens' D flipping a switch in April, can you?
Jason Mackey
12:56
First off, I don't think the problem is only the Penguins defensemen. The forwards are absolutely a part of this. But do I think they'll be OK in April? Yes, I do. It's never as simple as, "Do the Penguins care or not?" There's game plans, matchups, human elements such as travel and fatigue and mental readiness, and don't discount how much hockey they've played the past two years. What I'm seeing is not a cause to freak out.
Fr
12:56
Who do you think will be Crosby's linemates for the play-offs?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I don't see Rust sticking there; I think he's been only OK with Sid and much better with Brassard and Kessel. I say that to say I think it will either be Aston-Reese or Sheary. It's probably Sheary's job to lose, but ZAR played well before he got hurt. I think Sid likes playing with him, too.
Spring is Sprong
12:57
When you, Starkey, and Mueller are at the Cambria Suites for the afternoon show on 93.7 The Fan, are people able to approach you guys to say hello?
Jason Mackey
12:58
Yep. I actually saw the mother of one of my high school friends yesterday. It was neat.
Dan
12:58
Just asking....if the Penguins DON’T make the playoffs did GMJR have a protection clause with next years number one pick ?
Jason Mackey
12:59
That's a good question, Dan. I honestly don't know. I have a feeling by the time I get a chance to ask GMJR, it probably won't matter.
Pens4Life
12:59
You ever seen a more stunning goal than Sid's last night? Does that top Orr's in 1970 in your opinion?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Whoa, easy now. Sid's goal was great. Not sure we need to invoke Bobby Orr here. I would say it's top-five in Sid's career, and that's saying something. I'll still take a few of Mario's goals, though.
Pens4Life
1:00
Have you ever known a player to have a work ethic like Sid? Is he the most studious player in terms of hockey IQ ever?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Kind of tough (and unfair) for me to make a statement like that, but he's easily the most studious I've ever covered and by far the most into hockey on the Penguins. He eats, sleeps and breathes it. I think that may be one reason -- sort of thinking with the keyboard -- why he and Olli get along so well. Olli is the only other player I'd put up there with Sid.
Pens4Life
1:01
I know he’s seen a minimal amount of work but thoughts on Jooris’s play when he has been on the ice?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I've liked it. I like his speed. Decent PK guy. Knows what he is. You can't have three of him, but he's your No. 12, I'm OK with it. They still need an offensive component to that line. I think that's what they're hoping ZAR or Simon can bring whenever they get healthy -- a threat to score.
Rahn
1:02
Looks like Anthony Angello might go unsigned by the club. Any rumors on this and would the Penguins entertain trading his rights to a team the way the Flyers traded the rights to their pick from U. of Michigan to the Oilers yesterday?
Jason Mackey
1:03
No rumors, Rahn, sorry. Been pretty busy with the NHL club.
OHIO412FAN
1:03
The offense clearly the most potent in the league, goaltending is overall pretty solid, but defense is the concern for me. Has MS found the lines he wants on a consistent basis? I feel the defense is lacking in certain areas, with breakdowns, pinching too hard, porous breakouts, bad passes, etc. I believe this team has what it takes to win it all again, it’s just the defense getting down early and in the most crucial part of the games (RANGERS GAME LAST WEEK) are pivotal to this teams success. How do you see the Penguins improving the blue line?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Agree with most of what you said. I do think Sully would like to get the 1RW and 3LW situation sorted out, plus ZAR and Simon healthy, but that's about it. ... It's all concentration stuff. Better breakouts. Cleaner. Puck management. Not giving up freebies. ... It's not stuff they're incapable of -- pardon the double-negative.
Rahn
1:04
As we know, it takes more than six defensemen to get through the playoffs. Is Andrey Pedan the seventh guy?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Hunwick would be the seventh guy, but I think Pedan is probably No. 8. ... Pedan Question Counter: 1
Scott in thousand oaks
1:04
Hey Jason...again thanks for having this chat...enjoy your articles...
Jason Mackey
1:05
Thanks, Scott. On both accounts.
OHIO412FAN
1:05
With less than 10 games left, the Penguins need to be more consistent in winning down the stretch. What do they need to do to strengthen their playoff position in the standings?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Win more down the stretch. :-)
Rahn
1:05
Mike Sullivan chose a good time to call out ZAR and the team's high hopes for his return since the college free agent period is now humming as teams are eliminated. The absence of a top flight defender in the system and ability to step in next year has to be of interest to Daniel Brickley, the sought-after kid from Minnesota State. I'm guessing Bill Guerin hasn't chatted with you on it?
Jason Mackey
1:06
The Penguins, per policy, generally don't comment on the record about other team's players -- even in college. But you're right. He would absolutely be of interest to them. I think it would be a fantastic fit.
Scott in thousand oaks
1:06
Why do the Pens keep starting out games without any desire as it seems? Sully can not be happy and I am sure he reiterates this fact to the team...any idea how/why this continues to happen? It makes no sense.
Jason Mackey
1:07
They were better last night, I thought. ... Sometimes the Penguins are their own worst enemy. They know they can outscore pretty much everybody. I think that will, at times, affect their urgency. It's also hard to fake the playoffs. It just is.
71 Plus/Minus
1:07
If a coach recognizes his team isn't playing the right way during the first period, and that trend continues in successive periods, and in successive games: (a), has the team tuned out the coach, (b) is the coach not coaching the right way, (c) is it just the regular season blues, or (d) none of the above?
Jason Mackey
1:07
Gonna go with (c) on that one. The Penguins haven't tuned out Sullivan, I can tell you that.
Menachem
1:07
Hey Jason, thanks for taking my Q. Do you think Casey DeSmith or Tristan Jarry will be the backup heading into the postseason?
Jason Mackey
1:07
I think it will be Casey DeSmith. It is right now, and I think Casey is good enough to keep this going.
HB
1:07
A lot of people last week said they rather play the flyers first round but I’m nervous that even if we win half the team will get injured by their goons. I’d rather play Columbus again.
Jason Mackey
1:08
Agree with you, HB. Especially because Columbus is three hours away, has very affordable hotels and awesome bars. Great building to work in. ... Excellent situation for a beat writer.
Guest
1:08
Jason, if Mike Sullivan could turn the clock back before the trade deadline,do you think he would rather have Cole and Reaves on his bench right now?
Jason Mackey
1:09
I don't think he would rather have Cole. Reaves is tough because if he had Reaves, he probably wouldn't have Brassard. So, in that sense, no. I think Sullivan is perfectly fine with the moves the Penguins made. I think he had a big hand in making them.
HB
1:09
Penguins had the most back to back games this year did we also have the most 3 day plus breaks also? Sure felt that way.
Jason Mackey
1:09
Not sure, HB. Don't know if anyone keeps that stat. Hate 'em. Throws me off my rhythm. Would imagine you guys and gals, too.
OHIO412FAN
1:09
When will the be the earliest ZAR comes back? Injury report update?
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