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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 7.19.18
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Jason Mackey
1:21
Not really other than I'm happy for him. I understand why Vegas did it. They may have overpaid, but that's where their franchise is right now. They need to secure the face, and they have the means to do it right now. Deal might suck at the end of it, but that's a risk you have to take. I don't question for a second what they're doing, though.
Jason F
1:21
Do you get the sense that GMJR is done for the offseason, or is there still a chance for some other moves?  Hate the idea of playing Brassard on the wing, so I'd like to see them go after a left-winger, but I don't get the sense that anything out there makes sense.  Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:22
I think they'll entertain the idea of getting a LW, but I don't think it's something Rutherford feels like he has to do. I think it might take Jarry to do it, for one, and the Penguins would have to be darn sure of the return. I don't think you'll see Brass on the wing, as I said. Doesn't make enough sense to me. But if they stayed with Hagelin at 2LW, I wouldn't have a huge problem with that. Effective player. Slow starter. Prone to droughts. But responsible. Fast as anyone. Well-liked. Very good PKer.
Krugerrand
1:23
In the unlikely event that Bell sits for some regular season games, do you think the Steelers would rescind the franchise tag? Would that depend on other factors such as team record, backup performance?  (sorry, but Ed and Gerry haven't been around)
Jason Mackey
1:24
Haha. Wait, seriously, Ed and Gerry are on vacation (or whatever they're doing) so you're asking the Penguins guy a Steelers question? That's incredible. Please ask Ed a hockey question during his next chat and tell him I told you to. Gerry as well. Ha. ... Bell won't sit. Way, way too much $$$ to make.
Isitoctoberyet?
1:24
Any news on the trade front? Rumors are the only things that keep the dog days of summer moving.
Jason Mackey
1:24
No news. Most GMs are on vacation, up at their summer cottages or both. This tends to be a slow time of year when it comes to that stuff.
Matt
1:24
The penguins need a backup goalie. Suggestions on backup goalies the Pens could be eyeing up? DeSmith and Jarry did not cut it last season and i don’t think Sully really liked having to rely on them when Murray went down.
Jason Mackey
1:25
The Penguins are perfectly fine keeping DeSmith and/or Jarry. Disagree with you on Sullivan's desires. I think he likes DeSmith. Likely more than he did Jarry, which is why you saw DeSmith with the NHL club in the playoffs.
Nickleby
1:25
Jason, If Sheahan was the answer for third line center last year, the Pens wouldn't have pursued Brassard.  Now the idea of Brassard playing wing is being discussed.  Your thoughts please?
Jason Mackey
1:26
I don't love it, but I get why Rutherford is saying it. It reinforces them trying to find a fit for Brassard, something that could help his trade value. Could also make Hagelin appear expendable. Lastly, I think it's worth a shot. I just don't think it's worth it because he's never done it, and it screws up your lines too much.
Plus/Minus
1:27
Geno was the team leader in plus/minus last year. Why does he seem to draw criticism for his defensive zone coverage so often?
Jason Mackey
1:28
First off, Geno wasn't the leader. Schultz was. But I think Geno takes some heat because he's prone to lapses. Whether it's frustration or just a lack of focus, sometimes Geno just done some boneheaded stuff in his own zone. Does this mean he's a bad defensive play? No. I'd say inconsistent. He also plays a style -- same for his line, especially when it includes Phil Kessel -- that is conducive to affording other teams opportunities.
Dave
1:31
What is the current window of competitive opportunity for the Penguins, in your opinion? My guess is 3 to 4 years based on age of Sid and Malkin.
Jason Mackey
1:32
I think that's fair, although I've always hated those fictitious windows. We don't know. Neither Crosby nor Malkin has shown signs of slowing down, so why are we putting an timetable on it? However, I realize I'm being overly grumpy with it. 3-4 years is fair, maybe one more if they're lucky.
Dave
1:32
Do you have a guess as to why Johnson was scratched in the playoffs if it wasn't because of his play, as GMJR indicated?
Jason Mackey
1:33
My understanding is it was because of his leaked trade request and how much that ticked off Torts and other people in the organization. At that point, the relationship between Johnson and the organization was basically irreparable.
Sophia
1:33
Who on the the current team can you see transitioning into more of a leadership role as time goes by? Dumoulin? Maatta?
Jason Mackey
1:34
Dumoulin, for sure. Not sure on Olli. He's such a good kid. So likable. And he improved a lot. He's just not a rah-rah type. Watch him work, and he works his tail off. He's just never going to be overly vocal amount it. I'd put Murray in that category -- of the future leaders. Perhaps even Rust. If ZAR develops the way they think he will, he's got some toughness and swagger to him that guys will respect.
4 million per year
1:34
Which defensive pairings, defensively, do you think the Pens' opponents genuinely have concern/fear with?
Jason Mackey
1:35
I'm not sure what you're asking. Which pairings do opponents want to avoid? Probably the top one when Letang is playing well, but I think that's what most teams would say about any other team in the league.
Fake News
1:35
What are your thoughts on reporters/beat writers using nicknames for the players like Haggy, Rusty, or Horny in their reports/articles?  I recall a recent article that addressed this very topic.
Jason Mackey
1:36
Someone wrote an article on that? I don't care. It's none of my business what Dejan or Josh or Bombulie do. I like and get along with all of them. I try to use names when addressing players, but sometimes I slip up, too. It's just so prevalent about hockey. But I don't care what other outlets do. Doesn't affect my ability to do my job.
Guest
1:36
Do you think JR will make another trade before training camp, for either Skinner or Pacioretty?
Jason Mackey
1:37
Ultimately no. But I do think he will keep an eye on the trade market and check on things that interest him. That's pretty much par for course when it comes to how GMJR does business.
Geoff
1:37
Do the Penguins lack a true sniper for Sid / Geno? I can't help but think of James Neal scoring 40. Heck even Blake Comeau was on a 20 goal pace with Geno because he could one time Geno's passes. Kessel can distribute and create on his own, but isn't great at finding a soft spot and sniping a one timer. Are we maximizing 87 and 71's playmaking potential?
Jason Mackey
1:38
They're both coming off (Sid in 2016-17) some of the best offensive year of their career, so I would say they're fine. And if the Penguins use Guentzel and Kessel as Crosby and Malkin's wingmen, man, I really don't think that's something to complain about. You don't need a true "sniper" with those guys, either. Malkin needs to shoot more, not constantly be giving the puck up to a so-called sniper. Crosby is at his best around the net and playing off of another player ... not passing to a so-called sniper and getting out of the way.
Guest
1:38
If you were Coach Sullivan, what would your lineup look like? All the way down to the D.
Jason Mackey
1:39
Guentzel-Crosby-Hornqvist ... Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel ... ZAR-Brassard-Sprong ... Sheahan-Cullen-Rust. ... Dumoulin-Letang ... Johnson-Schultz ... Maatta-Oleksiak ... Murray-DeSmith.
Guest
1:39
What hope do we have that Sullivan will actually play Sprong and put him in his best position to succeed? I have no idea why the coaches see Simon as a better player than Sprong? He played a lot more last year and didn’t do anything particularly well. Sprong May fail but he has a lot more upside and should be given as long a leash as Simon if not more. And yet Sullivan hates him it seems...
Jason Mackey
1:40
As I understand the Simon thing, it wasn't all Sullivan. Sid wanted him in there, too. But I do have faith Sullivan will play Sprong because that's what his boss wants, and his boss has made no bones about it. GMJR wants Sprong in, and you have to use him in a top-nine role to maximize return. I think the biggest thing will be determining with which center he best fits.
Craig
1:40
Are the Pens out of tradable assets? I am defining 'tradable' in the sense that they have a logjam at a certain position or player makes too much money and still has trade value.
Jason Mackey
1:41
I don't think so. I think Hagelin could be seen as a trade-able asset; they could replace him internally -- it would involve using Simon -- and other teams should want what Hagelin can do. Jarry would be an attractive piece to a team with goaltending need. I could see someone wanting Brassard as well.
Dave
1:42
Hypothetical question: which non-HOF former Pen would you place onto this team?  Kovalev, Larry Murphy, Lemieux's caddy, etc.?
Jason Mackey
1:43
Murphy is in the Hall of Fame, FYI. ... This may sound silly, but I wish they had someone like Phil Bourque. Being dead serious. Good player but just a hell of a lot of fun. I think this team needs to be looser than it is, and Bourque would help with that.
kent
1:43
don't u think that Brassard at 3C is more valuable than a top 6 LW?
Jason Mackey
1:43
I do, yes.
I think Brassard will be much different this year, for the record.
Old Duder
1:43
Recently read an SI article about PGA Tour Pro Justin Thomas.  The article mentioned he has a lot of friends in other professional sports which includes "several Pittsburgh Penguins".  Was wondering if you knew which players that might be.  Either way I think that's pretty cool.
Jason Mackey
1:43
Interesting. I didn't know that. I'll have to ask around, but -- no surprise here -- many of the Penguins are big-time into golf. Not shocking that they know a player or two.
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