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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 7.19.18
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Jason Mackey
12:26
Hi folks. Hope you're enjoying the offseason. Have a chance to chat this week, so I figured I would. Plenty of stuff to ask about. Fire away, and I'll be back at 1 p.m. to answer. Thanks.
Lane Tooth
1:00
Is it at all likely that the Penguins have not re-signed RFA G Tristan Jarry yet because they are trying to orchestrate a trade?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I do think it's possible ... but probably not likely. Weird why Jarry hasn't signed, but it could be any number of things. I do think they'll listen on Jarry, and you could see something happen if GMJR gets the right deal for a LW.
Lane Tooth
1:02
What is your favorite NHL rink to cover games at while on the road for the PPG?
Jason Mackey
1:03
Love these ... actual rinks .. Montreal has to be up here. Love MSG, although it's tough with the Rangers as bad as they are. ... Canadian rinks, in general, are awesome. ... The Saddledome especially. It's so weird and dangerous. Terrific food in Boston, Carolina, Dallas and L.A., some of my favorite media meals. Favorite cities are probably Montreal, Manhattan, San Jose, Washington, Nashville and Vancouver.
FR
1:04
Read your article on Conor Sheary.  Was he really that surprised that the Penguins traded him?  He has to be aware of his overall play these last two seasons?
Jason Mackey
1:04
He said he was. Do I believe him? No. He had to have done the math and realized how many guys the Penguins had for a limited amount of spots and crossed that with how he's played the past two years. But what else do you want him to say? "I knew I was a goner." Never happens.
Lane Tooth
1:04
How confident are you that Daniel Sprong will be a top 6 forward for most if not all of this upcoming season?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I think Daniel Sprong will play an important role. Top-six forward? Eh. Don't know about that. I think you may see Sprong with Brassard on the third line, and I'd be fine with that. With Crosby, I think there's some (fair) concern that Sid will spend entirely too much time defending, digging pucks out and, in general, as the responsible one. Might be an argument to use Hornqvist there.
john
1:05
How serious do you think Sullivan is considering Brassard as a top 6 winger? or is that something that Jim just kind of threw out there? I'm not sure moving him to the wing would improve the top 6 all that much, but I think it would weaken the bottom 6 and create some really weird lines. Their biggest strength is having Sid, Geno, Brassard  down the middle, It's unparalleled depth. Which allows them to have Sheahan, who just isn't an aggressive playmaker, properly slotted on the 4th line.  And given how Sully likes a responsible player on each line I find it hard to believe he would play Kessel or Sprong with Geno and Brassard, which would likely mean Rust in the top 6 as a RW and that would create a trickle down. Like I said REALLY weird lines.
Jason Mackey
1:07
I think Sullivan will take a look. Why not, right? But I don't think it's how this team is best constructed, and all Rutherford did was say it was an option they would consider. I'd keep Hagelin. I think he's more valuable to the Penguins than trying to screw around with another trade; he meshes well with Malkin and really fits nicely if you want to play Geno with Phil. To your point, though, yes, it does create some weird lines and remove their depth down the middle. Take a look. And unless you're blown away, just keep things status quo.
FR
1:07
How would you rate what the Penguins have done so far in the offseason with regards to the trades/signings they have made?  What, if any, Penguins on the current roster may not be on the team when the puck drops on the new season?  Does Rutherford have another trade in him?
Jason Mackey
1:08
I think Jim will look around. The guys you're looking at are Hagelin, Brassard and Jarry. They could upgrade their LW spot, and Hagelin is on an expiring contract and likely to go elsewhere, for more money than the Penguins can pay him. If the Penguins can lock up some term there, great. If not, no biggie.
vinny
1:08
Any new rumors about Pens trading Phil Kessel.  Hope Not!
Jason Mackey
1:08
Vinny, you're a couple months late, pal. ... Nothing. All quiet on the Phil Phront.
Krugerrand
1:09
Barry Trotz wins the Stanley Cup.  He resigns 11-days later.  Then, 3-days later signs with another team in the division.  Have you ever seen anything like that in Major League sports?
Jason Mackey
1:09
It was definitely strange. I don't think I have. And then, to top it all off, the Islanders, Trotz' new employer, watch John Tavares leave for Toronto. Craziness.
Harold
1:09
Hi, Jason, looks like Tristan Jarry is the last unsigned RFA.  Any updates on his new contract?  Also, with all of the goalie movement in the offseason, it looks like most of the teams with needs have already addressed them.  Do you still think it's a possibility he will be traded?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Hey Harold. I think it's possible. It would make sense on a lot of levels. Jarry is a starter, not a backup, and needs deployed as such. Would imagine other teams value his services. But, you're right, there aren't many more open jobs. I also think the Penguins want pretty decent return here. If they keep him and Murray gets hurt again, then GMJR looks smart. If GMJR lets Jarry go because he feels he has to and Murray gets hurt, he knows he'll get roasted by you guys and us.
Nate
1:11
Is it fair to say that GMJR was exposed some once he lost Botterill? Every move he's made since then has been either a disaster (Reaves, Niemi, Hunwick) or very, very questionable (Brassard, Johnson, Cullen). I think JR is a HOFer and appreciate what he's done but these past two offseasons are making me think the shine might be off.
Jason Mackey
1:13
Well, GMJR without Botterill picked up Sheahan and Oleksiak for pennies. Those moves worked out OK. I'm with you that his summer last year wasn't great, but the Hunwick and Niemi signings are different than Reaves. He wanted Reaves used a certain way, and it didn't happen. If anything, you could question whether Sullivan wanted Reaves, because he didn't really play him like a guy he wanted on his roster. But GMJR wanted someone to come in, play fourth line minutes and fight some. Reaves did that. It would be absurd to expect goals out of the guy. Anyway ... Brassard, Johnson and Cullen either haven't started or are in the process of being evaluated. How can you call Johnson a bad move when he hasn't even played a game with the Penguins? Cullen 2.0 as well. I'd say take 'er easy and see, but GMJR is a smart GM, whether Botterill is here or not.
Kenny
1:13
This offseason has been an unmitigated disaster. Brassard has always played center but now they're talking about using him as a top 6 winger, the Johnson contract is going to be an anchor for half a decade, and Cullen is better suited to be an assistant coach rather than a 4th line center. I'm glad they won these last two Cups because it sure seems like they're doing nothing but shooting themselves in the foot. Am I wrong?
Jason Mackey
1:15
Kenny, easy with the optimism. Try to tamp down those expectations a little. ... Breathe, man. Brassard was really hurt. Johnson could be much better in a different environment, and they're not asking Cullen to score 35 goals. Plus, he takes better care of himself than most of his teammates. All he needs to do is score 10 goals, kill some penalties, provide some leadership and help a few kids. It's not a huge job description. A lot of people seem overly negative about the Penguins moves, but I don't see it that way.
WallYer
1:15
I know mock trades are hard to evaluate, but let me know what you think. PIT-CGY-TBL/WPG. PIT gets Killorn/Perreault. CGY gets Jarry and Paquette/Dano. TBL/WPG gets Hagelin, Bennett and Cond. 2020 3rd (PIT). If Pens make final in 2019 or 2020, it's a 2021 2nd. We get a better LW, TBL/WPG get cap space for next season and CGY get their young future goalie.
Jason Mackey
1:16
My head hurts trying to figure out what the heck you just did there. How much time did you spend constructing that ball of wax?
HB
1:16
Will the penguins have the cap space to sign Guenztal next year and what kind of money do you think he will get, Hornqvist money?
Jason Mackey
1:16
Yes, they will. They're making sure of that. And, assuming he produces as many (including the team and Jake) expect, yes, Hornqvist money and then some.
john
1:16
What are your thoughts on locking this defense core up for so long at so much money? Aside from Johnson I like them as a whole and they all provide value. But there is no flexibility there and not much room for significant growth. It seems strange to commit so much term and money to a group that might rank between 10-15 in the league. I'm not sure it's the best group to win now or in the future.
Jason Mackey
1:18
First off, I wouldn't rank them 10-15 in the league. Although I guess if you're basing it off last year that's fair. But I think Letang can be a lot better. Dumoulin is becoming a star. Schultz had a down year. Maatta showed growth. Bottom line, I think this group can be top five or, at worst, top 10, and I would have no problem with the stability there. The problem is they underperformed in several ways last year, offensively and defensively.
HB
1:18
A question about the prospects camp would bellerive been invited if he wasnt hurt?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Yes, he would have been.
Monday Morning QB
1:18
Objectively, who is more valuable to the pens, Hags or Brass?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Hagelin, although I'd say Brassard has the possibility of becoming more valuable if he can find his stride.
HB
1:18
Another question about Bellerive if the penguins didnt sign him last year would he been able to enter the draft again at this past draft?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Believe so, although I'm not 100-percent positive.
KH
1:19
Does ZAR crack the lineup this season
Jason Mackey
1:20
Yes, I think he does. The more I think about it, the more I'm intrigued to see him at 3LW. Lets Sheahan play 4LW if you want Cullen at 4C. I think ZAR can handle it offensively, and it might help Sprong a little as well. Problem would be Brassard. He's generally done better with faster guys, and that's not the strength when you talk about ZAR and Sprong.
Guest
1:20
Ruhwedel seems to be the odd man out now with the extension of Oleksiak and signing of Johnson. Does he get traded or kept around as the 7th d-man?
Jason Mackey
1:20
He'll stick around as the No. 7. That's what he is anyway, a very good seventh defenseman.
Krugerrand
1:20
Do you have any thoughts on Fleury's 3-year, $21 million extension?
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