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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 5.3.18
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Jason Mackey
1:19
Kunitz, especially, for the physical element he brought. If they go down, 3-1, I really think they'll start feeling the loss of Cullen and other veterans who were crucial during those times.
copall
1:20
Watched the Tampa/Boston game last night. Kunitz is still playing at a high level. Still skating, passing and forechecking (and he is doing it on the 4th line at a very reasonable price). Was it Kunitz or the Pens who felt it was time to move on?
Jason Mackey
1:20
It was the Penguins. He told me over the summer that he heard little from them, and they basically had turned the page, looking at younger options.
Pens4Life
1:20
Jason - as I and many other readers have noted - you do a fantastic job and are pretty well-liked among most of us. You've said you love what you do and are home, but if, say, a larger market wanted your services and would pay accordingly, could you ever see leaving the 'Burgh? Would hate to see you go, but you have to do what's best for you and your family.
Jason Mackey
1:21
Thank you for the kind words, but my family is all here. And after losing my dad, trust me, Pittsburgh is even more important. If The Washington Post wanted to pay me like $5 million a year, I suppose I'd do it, but short of that, you're stuck with me.
copall
1:21
I think tonight is the night the Pens get some of that secondary scoring that they have lacked this series. My money is on Shultz and/or Sheahan. Who do you think it ready to pop?
Jason Mackey
1:22
I think Kessel and Brassard are really due. Schultz has points in three straight. He's been good. I'm looking at Phil. It's time.
guest
1:22
any updates on poor Aston-Reese?  What a shame, he was so excited to be a part of the playoffs.
Jason Mackey
1:22
Just what we know from the other night. It'll be awhile.
Objective Reporting
1:23
Hi Jason, do you feel your emotional meltdown/rant on your weekly 93.7 spot yesterday may have influenced the DoPS's decision regarding Wilson?
Jason Mackey
1:24
Haha. Nice name, objective reporting. I didn't know I was objectively reporting anything when I was a guest on a radio show, and they asked my opinion. It's not 1987 anymore, either. Journalism has sorta changed a little bit.
Debbie from HR
1:24
Hi Jason, Phil Kessel won't return my emails so please let him know that, per his question, margaritas are not in fact on the PED list.  Also, please remind fans that tonight is Bring Your Cats Night at PPG Paints Arena.
Jason Mackey
1:24
Thanks, Debbie. Will get right on that.
HB
1:24
I bet we will get a lot of Murray questions but he didn’t look like his normal self is he perhaps injured aswell?
Jason Mackey
1:24
Have heard nothing of the sort.
CJ
1:24
Do we see Sprong in this series?  Mix things up.  Give him a shot.
Jason Mackey
1:25
Doesn't look like it. If there was a time to play him, it's tonight. If they lose and go down 3-1, I'm not sure that's the time for him to make his NHL playoff debut -- in Washington, the Capitals with a chance to knock out the Penguins and finally move on.
CJ
1:25
Do you feel Brassard just isn't fitting well with our system or just inconsistent line-mates making it hard to get comfortable?   In your opinion could you see him traded next season for defensive help? Thanks
Jason Mackey
1:26
I think it's a little bit of both -- the Ottawa thing and the revolving door. I also think his confidence isn't great night. He seems bothered by it all. No, I don't think they try to trade him. I think the Penguins -- especially Sullivan -- like him a lot. But I do think his problems are fairly layered.
Mercury
1:26
What assets does Simon bring to the table that elevates him above all other personnel available to Sullivan?
Jason Mackey
1:27
Loaded question there. Sullivan likes Simon's ability to read plays, his skating and his offensive instincts. My guess is you disagree, and I don't understand why Sullivan loves him as much as he does, either. But those are some of the things Sullivan talks about when discussing Simon.
Mercury
1:27
Who decided Malkin would sit game two of this series:  the medical staff, Malkin or Sullivan?  If the medical staff, then how has Kessel been permitted to continue to play?  I
Jason Mackey
1:28
It was most likely a collaborative decision, although I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a reasoned, expansive answer on it. It's the playoffs.
HCMS
1:28
What can Sullivan do about the 4th line?  It's been non-existent.  Sullivan seems to be wasting Sheahan's talent by pairing him with Dominik Simon.  Can't he give Sheahan better wingers?
Jason Mackey
1:28
I actually thought Sheahan and Sheary showed some decent chemistry during the regular season. Talked to both about it, too. Surprised Sullivan hasn't tried that again.
Guest
1:28
Why doesn't Sully trust Sprong enough to put him in a game?
Jason Mackey
1:29
I think it's the defense thing. Also I think Sully isn't a fan of guys who play the game like Sprong -- offense first, casually interested in the 200-foot game. Sprong has made strides, sure, but I think having him and Phil in the same lineup worries Sullivan.
Matt
1:29
Hi Jason, I was wondering if you were GMJR and hindsight being 20/20, would you go back and decide not to trade for Brassard to not give up Ian Cole?
Jason Mackey
1:30
Yes, I probably would not have done the Brassard trade. I liked what Sheahan brought. I really liked having Cole -- thinking, again, as a GM. I thought that would've allowed them to address the fourth line, which has been a graveyard for offense.
Self-starter
1:30
What role does a head coach play if his team consistently starts games slow, not just in the playoffs, but throughout the year?
Jason Mackey
1:31
Well, he's not actually playing the game. So he can kick and scream and diagram and game plan and whatever else you want him to do, but he's not actually on the ice.
Dave
1:31
Brassard looked like he was really hitting his groove with the tem before that injury at the end of the year. Do you think it's something that's still bothering him?
Jason Mackey
1:31
Not the injury, per se, but I think the missed time has hurt him. It's actually something I discussed with Mark Recchi yesterday. Brassard had gotten into a nice little groove, and he's trying to find that again.
Sheary who?
1:31
Why does Sullivan continue to play Sheary?
Jason Mackey
1:32
Well, he makes $3 million, for one, Sheary does. Two, the hope is that he starts to score goals. I understand that seems unrealistic at this point, but that's the hope.
C
1:32
What would you do with the lines? My guess if Hags is back put him with Malkin and drop Simon to the fourth?
Jason Mackey
1:32
This is what I'd do: 59-87-72 ... 62-71-81 ... 43-19-17 ... 12-15-34.
C
1:32
What do you think we will have line wise tonight? My guess is out Hags back with Malkin and drop Simon to the fourth line?
Jason Mackey
1:32
This is what I think will happen: 59-87-72 ... 62-71-81 ... 43-19-17 ... 12-15-34.
LeighB
1:33
What effect does Wilson's suspension have on the Pens? Do you think it gives them a little breathing room to get back to their game without the fear of intended injury?
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