You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 5.10.18
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jeremy
1:58
When readers ask a version of "Why didn't this Penguin or that one play better?" I think the answer is that they couldn't. Washington played a very tight, disciplined series (a few dumb penalties aside) and they forced errors that the Pens weren't able to force Washington into. I don't know if it's possible for people like Crosby or Letang or Hagelin or Geno or Phil or Murray to care any more than they do about living up to their own expectations and ours. They played as hard as they could and came up short after an astounding run of effort, skill and luck. I  look at this organization as an incredible example of commitment and the possibility for improvement, a genuine example of humanity at its best, within the limits of their discipline. I'd like to have a few days of my life where I was as good at my job as these people are at theirs. Events like Flower's homecoming make me hopeful about the human race. These people are amazing.
Jason Mackey
1:59
Thanks for your input, Jeremy, but let's let everyone have their opinions and ask questions how they see fit.
Hank
1:59
The Reaves nugget was in Josh Yohe's wrap up piece yesterday.
Jason Mackey
2:00
Gotcha. Thanks. To reiterate, I believe it was GMJR's idea, endorsed by everyone else.
TK
2:00
How many more years are left on Letang's contract?
Jason Mackey
2:00
Four.
dave
2:00
Sullivan and GMJR seemed to have different opinions on how badly Kessel was injured.  What do you make of that?
Jason Mackey
2:01
I think the difference is this: Jim didn't want him playing late in the season. Sullivan wanted him to play through what was bugging him. They don't contradict each other. Both annoyed at Phil for different reasons.
AR
2:01
I like Justin Shultz, but man, he had so many opportunities to score a big goal for us and was stopped time and again. Unlike last year when he scored so many huge goals
Jason Mackey
2:01
I'm not going to blame this on Justin Schultz. I thought he was pretty solid this postseason. He's a defenseman. If you're counting on him to score big goals, you're already screwed.
Smith
2:01
I get your point of Hagelin walking for nothing next offseason, but should that matter that much to a team with Cup aspirations? They should be focusing year to year, in my opinion. The long view can wait a few years.
Jason Mackey
2:02
Very fair. It depends on the return. That's why I wrote about his second half the other day. If you get someone willing to pay a decent amount, you do it. If not, definitely don't force it.
Avi
2:02
I apologize if I got your Tom Wilson answer from last year incorrect. Hopefully, you arent offended :)
Jason Mackey
2:02
Never offended.
Chris V
2:02
Rust, Sheahan, Oleksiak, and Kuhnhackl are all due new contracts this offseason. Which of these guys do you see GMJR paying and which do you see him moving on from this offseason?
Jason Mackey
2:02
He'll tender all of them RFA deals. I think they'll probably do something long-term with Rust, maybe Sheahan.
Popa
2:02
Crazy stat: in 19 playoff games vs. Caps over 3 years, Penguins have scored more than 3 goals once. Maybe the "Pens own Holtby" narrative is officially dead, and never should have been started?
Jason Mackey
2:03
Yeah, I never understand why everyone got so attached to that. The numbers support it some, but it's not like he's been Sergei Bobrovsky against them.
Just wondering
2:03
Jason, you do an incredible job covering the Pens. My question is way couldn’t’t this team stop the odd man rushes all season..  It hampered them the entire season and in the playoffs.  Why wasn’t this issue fixed long ago.
Jason Mackey
2:04
Thanks for the kind words. Good question: I feel like if I had the answer to that, I'd bottle it and sell it to Sully. It's like asking why can't the Pirates just hit .400 all the time. The other team gets paid, too.
Rob
2:04
I think if they had two healthy top lines they would have beaten the Caps.I agree with you in that I don't think the Pens would have beat Tampa. I think they really need to find a steady winger opposite Guentzel if it is not Hornqvist.
Jason Mackey
2:05
Absolutely agree, Rob. I think it could be Sprong. Hornqvist is a decent fit, too. But they didn't get enough from their depth guys.
dave
2:05
If Kessel didn't have the consecutive games streak going, do you think they would have sat him out at some point?
Jason Mackey
2:05
Oh, absolutely.
Guest
2:05
Jason, just joining and don’t know if this was asked, but is there a problem between Sullivan and Kessel and do you really think they would trade a 90-Point winger?
Jason Mackey
2:06
No, I don't think there was a problem between Phil and anyone. But yes, I do think they would consider it, for the right offer given his age, contract situation and the fact that they want Daniel Sprong to play a key role on this team.
PensSpeed
2:06
Hello Jason, love your articles!
All other teams have caught up with Pens about speed... what can Pens do to get back on track to get faster on their D-Core, like Letang is not as fast as before, which why I'v found he has been caught up high often? And what's your thoughts about Avalanche?
Jason Mackey
2:07
Loved the move the Avalanche made this year. MacKinnon is awesome, but he needs some help. ... Their speed isn't that far off. They need to handle the puck better and get out of their own zone quicker. That would do wonders. I do think that issue is easily correctable.
me
2:07
I understand that Letang had a hard time coming back from the neck surgery, but many of his mistakes were mental, not physical.
Jason Mackey
2:07
Yes. But he was thinking entirely too much about entirely too much, in my opinion.
me
2:07
Penthouse residents - Simon.
Jason Mackey
2:07
Rowney and Ruhwedel have spent time.
ToddHH
2:07
We hear about Sprongs lack of 200 foot game and thats the reason he isnt in the lineup.  But then we watch Sheary and well, u know.  Is it fair for fans and likely Daniel to wonder what gives?
Jason Mackey
2:08
Absolutely. Could he be any worse than some of what we saw? I think that's a fair question.
guest
2:08
I want to route for Vegas to win but the downfall to that will be a year of hearing from people that we would have won if we kept Fleury and I would not want Murray to have to deal with hearing that constantly.
Jason Mackey
2:08
The Penguins made a smart business decision. That way of looking at it is revisionist history. Every other NHL team would've done the same thing.
me
2:08
Do you think it was unprofessional of Kessel to not do interviews after game 6 or during clean-out day?
Jason Mackey
2:09
Yes, I think he owed that to the fans. Has nothing to do with me personally. I still found plenty of stories. But all of you guys wondered what was up. You bought tickets and gear, invested your time. You deserve to have that question answered.
PensSpeed
2:09
Hello Jason, love your articles!
All other teams have figure out the advantage of Penguins of the last 2 seasons, they have caught up with the Pens speed. How could they become a faster team next year, by adding a speedier D-core? Letang has a lost a edge with his speed, and he won't get faster...
What's your thoughts about the future Colorado, they didn't win vs Preds, but the Avs are an entertaining in your face hockey style, it remembers me the young 2009 pens.
Jason Mackey
2:10
Got this earlier. I think they're closer than you think, honestly. Don't rule out Letang coming back gangbusters next year.
Connecting…