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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.22.18
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Jason Mackey
1:10
They don't tell us stuff like that. If he rejoins practice Saturday, I suppose the earliest would be Sunday. I think that might be a tad early. And tough to say until he gets back to the team portion in some capacity. Sullivan seemed to think he'd be back by the end of the regular season, though.
OHIO412FAN
1:10
With Crosby’s stellar performance last night, are we starting to see the progress of consistent paring of lines with Sid?
Jason Mackey
1:11
I think we're seeing something with Guentzel. I think the other spot is still TBD. But Crosby needs more production from his wingers. His play has actually been fine; I think that's a big misconception about him right now. Needs some people to finish plays for him and lessen the amount of dirty work he has to do.
Drop The Puck
1:11
What would it have taken to trade for a Josh Jooris quality defenseman before the deadline?  Defense seems like a vulnerable area if there's an injury.
Jason Mackey
1:12
I agree with you. I'm not sure why a deal wasn't made, to be honest. The Penguins made the Brassard deal the way they did because they wanted to leave enough money for something else. Then they didn't do it. I was as surprised as you. Maybe prices were crazy? Although I can't imagine the asking price for Kevin Connauton was all that high.
Drop The Puck
1:12
How many games do you think the Pens will need to win out of the last eight to win the division?
Jason Mackey
1:15
At least six, maybe seven. Look at WSH's sked the rest of the way: at DET, at MTL, at NYR, vs. NYR, vs. CAR, at PIT, at STL, vs. NSH, vs. NJD. Nine games, five against cupcakes. Game in hand, plus a two-point lead. Gotta be at least six wins for the Pens.
Guest
1:15
Which player drives the nicest car?
Jason Mackey
1:16
Not sure what they drive, to be honest. They keep that sort of stuff from us.
Guest
1:16
Which player do you talk to and think you could be really good friends?
Jason Mackey
1:17
The word "friends" makes the reporter in me feel weird, but of the guys I talk to the most and have the best professional relationship with ... Murray is No. 1. Cole, obviously. Cullen, too. Olli, Sid, Rust, Kuhnhackl, Dumoulin ... those are a few others.
Lukas
1:17
Have the Penguins been in talks with any college FAs? I thought they might take a look at Brady Ferguson since he's from RMU and attended their developmental camp.
Jason Mackey
1:17
They are and they have. Dave did a piece on that not long ago. Here's the link: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2018/03/15/zach-aston-rees...
French penguin
1:17
Hi Jason!
Jason Mackey
1:17
Hello there.
AJ
1:18
Any insights on the huge disparity between home and road play? It seems a lot starker than usual.
Jason Mackey
BennyD
1:18
it seems like it has been a challenge throughout his career to find wingers for Sid, including with Team Canada (see: Kunitz on the Olympic team).  Geno on the other hand seems like he can play with virtually anyone and be effective.  It feels like an underrated part of his game...
Jason Mackey
1:19
That's fair. Geno is playing so well right now I think you and I could play with him. ... However, it wasn't long ago that Sid was the guy who brought along Sheary, Rust, Guentzel, Simon, Sprong, ZAR, all the kids. I think it's easy to lose sight of that whenever Sid isn't putting up the points we're accustomed to seeing.
Ryan James
1:19
what's the most favorable first round matchup for the penguins at this point?
Jason Mackey
1:19
I think Columbus one and Flyers, too. Would not want to play the Devils.
Sidney Cup 87
1:19
In ur opinion, what exactly is the reason  Matt Hunwick hasn't worked out here???  System/no confidence/bad fit??      I thought at first it was a great signing and figured his style would mesh good here bc he played important minutes in Toronto the last 2 yrs and was really good there?? And do u think he gets another shot by end of year (before playoffs)?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I think they thought he'd be better on the right side than he's been. I also think they probably thought he was a better skater than he's shown. Maybe it's his body, maybe he just doesn't feel comfortable. He says he's picked up everything well, but it's not easy with how quick Sullivan wants to go, go, go. It's one of the reasons Pouliot struggle. But Hunwick isn't dumb. Not quite sure. I do agree the fit has been horrible.
Ryan James
1:21
With the horrible home/road split this year, how important is home ice for the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:21
Hugely. You'd like to think the disparate numbers would go out the window in the postseason, but there's no guarantee. And I'm not buying the small-sample-size bit, either.
Rich
1:22
Do the Penguins believe DeSmith is a better goalie then Jarry? Why do you think Jarry was the one they send down?
Jason Mackey
1:22
To answer the first part: yes. That's why DeSmith is up and Jarry is down. ... I think they want Jarry to develop and mature more. The latter is the big one. A lot about focus and consistency with him. He has the talent.
French penguin
1:22
hi Jason, do you think HCMS will try to put ZAR back on Sid’s wing with Guentzel? It will allow Bryan Rust to play on the 3rd line and Sheary to be employed in a more appropriate 4th line role with Sheahan and Kunhackl or Simon.
Jason Mackey
1:24
I do think Sullivan will try, but not for the reasons you mentioned. I think ZAR will get a shot because he was good there. If he can produce, the job will be his. ... You're right on Rust. He was really good with Brassard and Kessel. As for Sheary, the fourth line is not a good fit for him. Too small. Doesn't has one iota of physicality to his game. But priority No. 1 is getting a productive winger to play with Crosby for the postseason. Worry about everything else later.
Guest
1:24
What is your typical day on the job when the penguins are playing at home? How does it differ when on the road?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Oh, boy. ... Get to the skate an hour early ... 10:30 at home, 11:30 on the road ... so 9:30 or 10:30 ... use that time for notes, prepare my plan for the dressing room, what stories I want to get that day, the next day and that week ... skates, any visiting stuff ... write whatever is necessary. Usually pack a lunch and eat at the rink. ... Home around 2 or so. Nap for an hour. ... See the family a little .... Shower and head back for dinner, more prep work, game, postgame, home around midnight for a 7 p.m. game. Crack a beer. That's the nuts and bolts anyway. There's more with social media and video, etc. But that's the basic plan.
BennyD
1:26
A journalistic time machine can take you back to any time... where would you go/who would you talk with???  Cronkite during Vietnam?  Woodward and Bernstein and Watergate?  fall of the Berlin Wall?  the Hindenberg?  other???
Jason Mackey
1:26
Never thought of that, to be honest. Probably Watergate, of the options you mentioned.
BennyD
1:26
should we be concerned with the late season defensive lapses or just wait until the playoffs start before getting too worked up?
Jason Mackey
1:26
I'd wait until the playoffs, but that's not going to stop anyone from doing it anyway.
French penguin
1:27
Another line combo question : I think I’ve seen Kessel play with Sid at the end of Montréal’s game. What do you think about this? I think Brassard can handle himself a good enough line with Rusty to enable Kessel to go up next to Sid. I know we have a bad feeling about them together dating back to Kessel’s first weeks with the Pens but when I see his ability to find players in little spaces, I can’t help but think it can be a very good association finally...
Jason Mackey
1:27
It's work a shot, that's the way I look at it. But I do think it's best to have the three of them -- meaning Crosby, Malkin and Kessel -- separate. On rare occurrences, though, sure.
Alex Ross
1:27
Hey Jason,
Jason Mackey
1:27
Hi Alex.
Ryan James
1:27
Would a Penguins vs. Lightning series be the equivalent now of the Penguins vs. Blackhawks series hockey fans have wanted for the last ten years but never gotten?
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