JotCast | Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 5.17.18

Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 5.17.18

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Jason Mackey

1:22

I think Victor Hedman from Tampa.

Guest

1:22

Is a new Head Coach the answer for the Pens?

Jason Mackey

1:22

No.

wedding

1:22

My cousin told me, and I don't know how he'd have heard this, but that you are kind of a Royal Family Junkie and are really into this Harry-Meghan wedding. You gonna get up early to watch it on TV?

Jason Mackey

1:23

Absolutely not. Your cousin might want to check his/her facts. Could. Not. Care. Less.

Big jer

1:23

Hi, Jason...you do a great analysis! Should the Penguins include Jarry in a trade of Matt Hunwick to incentivize some team to take Hunwick's contract? Maybe they could pick up one or two bigger younger defenseman?

Jason Mackey

1:24

Thanks, Jer. I would consider it. I like Casey DeSmith, and I like Tristan Jarry, too. But if Matt Murray is your guy, sooner or later I think you need to commit to that; if Jarry isn't going to get regular starts, I don't think that's the best way of using him. Teams will want Jarry. If you can use it to get out from under Hunwick, absolutely.

Joey

1:24

Obviously the team was disappointed with the ending of the season. But do you think they were content with how it ended because they knew it had to end at some point? Hopefully that’s makes sense

Jason Mackey

1:24

I don't think they're complaining about a long summer. They wanted to win, obviously, but having an extra month won't be the worst thing.

1:24

Thanks for doing a chat today jason are you in Vegas for both games or just game 3

Jason Mackey

1:24

Both games. My pleasure. Happy to. Company's paying for me to be here. It's the least I could do.

1:24

I know you have been traveling but any college free agents that the pens might sign?

Jason Mackey

1:25

Yeah, the traveling part ... haven't had time to dig too much into that. Sorry.

Christian

1:25

Do the Pens trade Jarry this offseason?

Jason Mackey

1:25

I think it's time, yes.

Joe

1:25

Which player is more likely to be traded this summer Letang or Phil?

Jason Mackey

1:26

Phil. Rutherford was never going to trade Letang. I don't even know why that's a story. He can't because of deep, deep medical issues. Plus, dude makes $7.25 with that medical history and is coming off a wildly inconsistent season. What NHL GM is giving up to get that?

1:26

How much influence will Sullivan have on off season moves that Rutherford makes? In other words, who would win out if Sullivan wants to keep a player, and Rutherford wants to deal them?

Jason Mackey

1:27

Ultimately it's Rutherford's call, but it's always collaborative with those two. Sullivan has quite a bit of say in personnel moves, because Rutherford wants Sullivan to have what he needs to win. But if they are truly split down the middle, I suppose it would be GMJR's final call.

Rahn

1:28

Does Connor Hall, third round pick in 2016, need to be signed by June 1?

Jason Mackey

1:28

I don't believe so, but I'm not 100 percent sure.

Guest

1:28

Why is the PG sending you to follow the Knights? They aren't our team.

Jason Mackey

1:29

There are a lot of people out here covering the series who aren't restricted to one specific team. Plus, Fleury, Neal, Reaves, etc. Plenty of Penguins ties. Trust me, we wouldn't spend the money if yinz weren't reading.

Rahn

1:29

Seems Niclas Almari might be a late-season defensive option for the team next year after he acclimates to the AHL. I recall the team being high on him in Dave Molinari's prospects piece last December and his ATO with Wilkes Barre earned good reviews.

Jason Mackey

1:30

Could be. Although it's plenty early to project late-season addition's to next year's club.

Jim

1:30

Will this chat be the last one for awhile? Or will you have other chats during the summertime?

Jason Mackey

1:30

Probably will be the last one until draft time.

Rahn

1:30

Might not have made headlines but the Penguins' ability to retain their European scouting director Patrik Allvin through promotion was big after Randy Sexton left with Jason Botterill for the Sabres. He's been able to locate late-round guys who have real shots in the system, no?

Jason Mackey

1:31

Have a shot, yes. But whether they pan out will determine whether this will be an impactful move. I think they will. I think Allvin is an asset. I'm just saying it's not a sure thing. Yet.

Jim

1:31

What are your thoughts on Conor Sheary? He is undersized and gets pushed around and has no value. Why should Sullivan keep a roster spot open for him?

Jason Mackey

1:32

What are there are other options? They can't cut him. Trade interest has been minimal. They signed him, so they need to find a role for him. But you're right: The defense lacks, not much special teams, and he doesn't add much in a bottom-six role. If he's not scoring, we've got problems here.

Jim

1:32

I understand Mike Sullivan took this team to two Stanley Cups and won them, but his line-up choices for the play-offs were real head-scratchers at times. Continually trotting out Conor Sheary and Dominik Simon and playing Carter Rowney on the 4th line seriously handicapped the team. I would've rather seen some of our black aces take the ice than players who were out of place and unproductive during the play-offs.

Jason Mackey

1:33

Sullivan's adherence to Dominik Simon was weird. I don't fault him for playing Sheary. He has experience in the postseason, and he did have a few decent games. I don't understand the Sprong thing. He's the only Black Ace I would've played over an NHL guy. I thought he deserved at least a look.

Jeff

1:33

Do you get the feeling that either Kessel or Letang will get moved this offseason? I tend to lean more towards Kessel than Letang but I get the feeling that one of them will be moved.

Jason Mackey

1:34

Much of it depends on return. Hard no on Letang. Isn't happening. Kessel could ... if they get what they feel is premium value. He's coming off one of the best seasons of his career, and you would be selling stock at its highest point. That said, they like Kessel. Fans love Kessel. Teammates, same. Those things alone make doing something tough.

Jim

1:34

Great article on Chris Kunitz. He said there were no attempts by the Penguins over the summer to contact him about returning. Who makes that decision to move on from a player? Jim Rutherford? Mike Sullivan? A combination of both? His value to this team was underestimated by the powers that be.

Jason Mackey

1:35

Combination of both. The Penguins thought they had Matt Cullen, and then he surprised the heck out of them by going to Minnesota. Pittsburgh remained lukewarm on Kunitz because they didn't want to have two guys that age on a team with young wingers.

Jeff

1:35

Do you think Riley Shehan will be back next season?

Jason Mackey

1:35

I do, yes. I think he could even get more than the one-year RFA tender.

Chris

1:35

Do you honestly think they'll consider moving brass to wing next year with how stocker we already are? Wouldn't trading him make more sense?

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