JotCast | Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 6.14.18

Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 6.14.18

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Jason Mackey

2:02

I think they're going to try and move him. I don't know how successful that will be.

Jason Domitrovic

2:02

Seriously, we are talking about Bobby Orr and Jerry Garcia? Keep this on and about the current Pittsburgh Penguins. That's why we read your articles and welcome your opinion. Thanks.

Jason Mackey

2:03

Hi, Jason. It's my chat. If people want to ask some fun questions every now and again, they're allowed. I don't believe in censoring what people can ask ... so long as it's in good taste. I answer every single question anyway; there's plenty of talk about the current Pens.

2:03

Received my PG subscription renewal bill in the mail the other day. Am I a dinosaur in that I still enjoy reading a newspaper?

Jason Mackey

2:04

I hope so. That makes me a dinosaur. I'm 34, and I love reading the paper every morning. I try to cover the team for a website, since we're competing with the Athletic and DK and those outlets do a great job, but I enjoy reading the paper as much as anyone. No shame in that. We appreciate your business.

MalkinFan

2:04

I'm just curious how bad do you think his knee injury (my guess for lower body injury) has been? I know he has already surgery and problem with it... Hopefully he will be back at 100%, he is a beast when 100% healthy!

Jason Mackey

2:04

Yeah, I don't think it's a major thing, honestly. Among things to worry about with the Penguins, Geno isn't in the same zip code.

Powerless

2:04

During a power play, why don't the defenders play man-to-man defense and let the goalie take on the opponent's worst shooter, if/when he shoots? How OVI is left open by so many teams seems foolish

Jason Mackey

2:05

I'm guessing because even the power play's worst shooter is pretty darn good when left all alone. It usually is the best five offensive players on a given team, after all.

Poulliot

2:05

How would you assess Derrick Poulliot's time with the Canucks last season? Hard to imagine a twenty point defender couldn't find his way onto the Pens' roster.

Jason Mackey

2:06

I was happy for Derrick. I think he's a tremendous player, but I just think it wasn't going to work here. He's playing for Travis Green, his junior coach. That helps. It also helps that he's not playing in Mike Sullivan's system, which can be tough on defensemen. He needed a change of scenery. There's talent there. Just needed a fresh approach. Not surprised at all.

RPK

2:06

With all of the Kessel trade talk, where will the missing offense come from if he is traded? Sprong is still a very unproven entity.

Jason Mackey

2:07

He is. But they do have Crosby, Malkin, Brassard, Letang, Hornqvist, etc. Plenty of sources for offense. I also wouldn't be expecting a Kessel trade. It could happen, if they get a terrific offer, but my sense is that nobody has really been busting down GMJR's door with those.

What's in a Name?

2:07

Who has the best Pittsburgh Sports media nickname, aside from Super Genious of course?

Jason Mackey

2:08

Chris Adamski from the Trib is known as Buzzsaw. I think that's pretty sweet. I honestly can't think of any others. ... Oh, Sam Werner has one, but you'll have to ask him on Twitter (@SWernerPG) what that is.

Beijing 2022

2:08

Do you think if the NHL players go, Malkin and Crosby have still a shot at it for the Olympic 2022?

Jason Mackey

2:09

Yeah, I do. I've seen no signs from them that they're incapable of playing for either Russia or Canada. Maybe that changes. Four years in a long time. But I think these guys will be fine into their mid-30s.

elmer5508

2:09

Fleury wants to remain with Vegas. Think he will ever come back to Pittsburgh?

Jason Mackey

2:09

I don't think so. I think he's extremely happy where he is now, and I think the Penguins are extremely happy with Matt Murray.

Guest

2:09

Any chance you or the PG is looking for an editor? I wouldn't charge much… Keep catching errors in your articles ;).

Jason Mackey

2:10

You can always email me at jmackey@post-gazette.com. I'm not perfect. We are looking for an editor, though. Not specifically to edit my copy. Lucky for that person. Sorry about the multitude of mistakes. Didn't realize it was that bad.

Smirk

2:11

From afar, it seems guys who may not take life too seriously run HCMS the wrong way,

Jason Mackey

2:12

I think there's a certain type of Sullivan player. That player can be light-hearted, sure, he just has to know how to work. Most of them do. The reason Ian Cole isn't here anymore isn't because he didn't take his job seriously. They wanted a third-line center, and Cole was an asset. No, I don't think Sullivan loves players who give media a ton to work with, but he also wants to win hockey games, if that makes sense.

Guest

2:12

Any thoughts on the Sens situation? I find it odd that an organization would let a situation like that go on (if reports of infighting and Org awareness are true) involving the Face of the Franchise player.

Jason Mackey

2:12

I honestly haven't read too much about it and, thus, should probably not comment.

2:12

Were there any good pranks pulled this season aside from the Reaves Phil prank? Seems like pranks have died down a bit.

Jason Mackey

2:12

They have. Losing Reaves and Fleury hurt a lot in that department.

2:12

What do you think of forcing the Pens key players to take games off as the season winds down to preserve their energy and health? Seeding makes no difference as we all know.

Jason Mackey

2:13

I think it's hard given their stars' desire to play and hockey's culture; you just don't see teams conduct themselves the way they do in the NBA. I wouldn't be against it, but I don't think it's something the Penguins will ever seriously entertain.

2:13

Where and with whom do you think is best for Bryan Rust's offensive production? He was surprisingly quiet in the playoffs and I feel he gets jerked around all the different lines bec of his "versatility" and it in turn hurts him. He's a guy that's usually noticeably dangerous and he clearly wasn't, They need to find him a spot and leave him there.

Jason Mackey

2:14

I agree with you. I would honestly like to see them keep him with Brassard or use him to add some offense to the fourth line. I'm not sure I see Rust as a consistent top-six player, but man, can he make your bottom-six better.

RandomHockeyGuy

2:14

Would acquiring Domi, signing Grabner and Moore, and moving Sheary, Hagelin, and Hunwick improve this team heading into next season. That would likely put Aston-Reese and Rust as 4th liners, improving the 4th line instantly.

Jason Mackey

2:15

I don't see them signing Grabner or Moore; they have plenty of right wings and centers. I think they can play Rust and ZAR on a very good fourth line without making those deals.

Kerry

2:15

Which PK approach do you favor? The teams that sit in a box and allow passing around the perimeter or the ones that charge the puck carrier (think Jay Beagle)? I always feel the latter gives the Pens more trouble, even with their skilled quick passing, and dont understand why so many teams sit back and don't play the aggressive way. (btw, any stats on this kind of stuff?)

Jason Mackey

2:15

Not that I'm aware of, Kerry. But I'm with you on the more aggressive approach ... and the Penguins have done a lot of this. Jay Beagle is very good at what he does. There's a reason he's going to get paid quite well for a fourth-line center come July 1.

Guest

2:16

I know you don't want to talk politics, but if politics fundamentally alters the NHL this season, isn't that a worthy topic for this chat? Thanks, Jason!

Jason Mackey

2:16

It's not going to fundamentally alter the NHL this season.

789

2:16

Did you at least enjoy the KISS show?

Jason Mackey

2:16

I did, absolutely.

RPK

2:16

I still don't see where ZAR is a physical player. What will change in his game?