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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 8.30.18
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Jason Mackey
12:56
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday Penguins chat. Taking any and all questions here ...
Guest
12:58
What happens if the Jack Johnson project doesn’t work out the first couple seasons?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Then they're really screwed. Ha. No, in all seriousness, if the Johnson deal doesn't work, Rutherford will probably try to unload the player somewhere. On the surface, that sounds really difficult, but the guy did get out from under Rob Scuderi (getting Trevor Daley for him, no less) and Matt Hunwick. From a team standpoint, if Johnson flops, that means Chad Ruhwedel plays, and the Penguins will probably have to add a defenseman at the trade deadline.
Well, OK, maybe not the trade deadline per se. But they would have to add someone.
Guest
1:00
Is Jim Rutherford as funny and witty in real life as he comes off as in interviews?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Every bit. Honestly, he's one of the genuinely funniest people I've ever talked to. He's also a great interview in the sense that he cares about communicating with fans, wants to stir the pot with his comments and gets the whole media churn. But as far as his sense of humor, it's 100 percent that way with us. Ditto for his candor. Very honest guy.
Joe
1:02
Chances that Simon starts the season on Sid’s RW as Sid would like, thereby making Sprong an early scratch?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Not very good, Joe. I'm not saying Sprong is going to be on Sid's wing -- I'd go Hornqvist -- but it very likely won't be Simon. That didn't work last season, and I think enough people know it. They want Simon to shorten his shift length. It's a terrible time to do that while on Sid's right wing. Look for Simon to start in the bottom-six -- if there -- and be forced to work his way up the lineup.
Double G
1:06
Good Afternoon Mr. Mackey! First time here! My question is other than Daniel Sprong, what other Baby Penguins do you see making the team and making a possible impact? Thank You and Go Pens!
Jason Mackey
1:07
Good afternoon, Double G! ... I will give you a few names I'm watching, but honestly, unless there are a slew of injuries -- never rule it out with this club -- probably nobody; there simply aren't that many jobs available. I'd watch Blueger, Johnson, Dea and Di Pauli. They could do something. But as long as everybody is healthy, they'll stay in WBS.
HB
1:08
In your interview with johnson where he apologized for dissing Columbus I still dont get why Columbus got mad, the team that was invented a year ago has a better "winning culture" then them its just a fact.
Jason Mackey
1:09
I think Columbus is very sensitive to that sort of stuff. I get what Jack was trying to say. I don't think he did a very good job of articulating it. And cross that with sort of an inferiority complex that exists, then they blow up. Seriously, Columbus is an awesome city and an awesome hockey market. It just feels like it continually needs to prove itself and stand up for itself -- sort of legit -- because the Jackets haven't really won anything. Once they do, it'll be different.
WBS
1:09
Given what seems to be a set roster with little cap room, how much opportunity, if any, do WBS players invited to camp really have?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Not much at all. But like I said in my previous answer, there probably will be injuries. Usually is. So while they're not working for immediate playing time, they want to put themselves in the best position possible should something happen.
Guest
1:10
Who are you favorite players to interview?
Jason Mackey
1:12
Current team: Murray and Cullen. ... Recent ex-Penguins: Reaves, Cole, Kuhnhackl. ... Rutherford is incredible. And hilarious. ... Letang can also be tremendous when he wants to be. Really smart guy and engaging.
Summer fun
1:13
How was Conner Sheary's wedding reception?
Jason Mackey
1:13
I didn't go, sadly. Heard the cookie table was dynamite, though.
Dante
1:13
The penguins should just change their name to the Centers. Someone's getting moved. Who's the most likely.
Jason Mackey
1:14
I honestly don't think they're trading a center, Dante. I do think GMJR is guarding against Matt Cullen stinking. And I guess if there's a tradeable commodity, and Cullen turns out good, I think Grant might be the most likely to go. Hard to say for sure, though, having never seen him play.
Guest
1:14
Is it true Sid is friends with Simon? Is that why he wants him on his wing? Who else on the team is he close with? Seems like to went to a lot of weddings this summer.
Jason Mackey
1:15
I don't think Sid and Simon are any closer than other Penguins teammates. ... It's my understanding that Sid wanted to play with Simon because of the style of game he plays. At his best, Simon can play with speed, make himself available, dig pucks out of corners and finish. At his worst ... well, you saw it. Sullivan allowed it to continue, as Sid pushed for the line to work.
John
1:15
How do you think the pens will line up on D to start the season? IMO they have a clear top 4 of 3,4,8,58. When they break up that group and put 3 or 4 on the bottom pair, I worry they spread themselves too thin and it doesn't seem to improve the 3rd pair all that much. It forces 3 or 4 to do too much heavy lifting. Would they be better off going with Oleksiak/Johnson and just sheltering them while using the top 4 for match ups.
Jason Mackey
1:17
It's my understanding that part of the pitch to Jack was top-four minutes. They're not going to break up the Dumoulin-Letang pair, so it likely puts him with Schultz. I don't think they're overly married to Maatta-Schultz, and I think they probably view Maatta -- what he's shown so far, anyway -- as a tweener. Oleksiak has also been better on the right. If Jack clicks with Schultz, Maatta and Oleksiak is absolutely a plus third pair.
Hey folks ... my apologies on the order of questions here ... I'm going back through the queue and there are ones popping up that weren't there before; so, the order of me answering things might be a little skewed today. I promise I will get to everything. My apologies.
Chris
1:18
Do you foresee them starting the season with Brassard at center (like he should be, IMO) or are they still toying with him being on the wing?
Jason Mackey
1:19
Hey Chris, I think they'll give it a look, but I'd be surprised if that idea ever gets off the ground. He's never done it, for one. No. 2, the dude needs some continuity. I think one of the biggest issues last year with Brassard was Sullivan being too eager to change his wingers. Were it me, I would put him at center, keep him there and give him some consistent linemates.
Ellen
1:19
Hi Jason, thanks for keeping up the great work in the off-season - are you getting antsy for hockey season to start? Best of luck in the new house. Last week you had a question about head hits - is there anything you can think of that we as fans can do to put pressure on the NHL to take head hits more seriously?
Jason Mackey
1:20
Hi Ellen, thank you for your kind words and for participating in the chat. ... I'm extremely antsy for it to start. Not only because I love hockey -- I do -- but I just like the ins and outs of the season. Have talked about this with a couple hockey people. There's just a nice rhythm to it. You get used to it. Honestly, anymore I'm more comfortable within the rhythm of the hockey season than I am outside of it.
G
1:20
When the Leafs hired Hayley Wickenheiser last week, Kyle Dubas had this to say. “Research shows that the more diverse your organization, the better your decision making, the better your operation in general." Do you get any sense the Penguins would like to diversify their hockey operations staff? If not, think their insularity could become a hindrance? Right now, "white guy who hasn't played for the team" is about as diverse as that staff gets.
Jason Mackey
1:23
Ha, G. Good question. I think you bring up an interesting point, and I think it's an interesting balancing act for teams. As competitive people, the Penguins naturally think they have the right people to do the job. And, judging by 2016 and 2017, there's some validity to that. But I also know every key figure in the organization -- Ron Burkle, Mario Lemieux, Travis Williams, David Morehouse, Jim Rutherford and Mike Sullivan, to name a few -- values diversity. So, what to do? Well, if there's a vacancy or they choose to go in a different direction, I have no doubt they'll hire the best person for the job. And not because a rule says so; teams would hire telephone poles and shoe boxes to do jobs if it meant they could win. ... I just think it's hard to kick someone out of a job who's pulling the rope like everyone else simply because there's a similarity smart candidate out there. Make sense?
Moe
1:24
Great article earlier in the summer about Dad aka Matt Cullen.  Were you able to travel to Minnesota?  Or was it a phone interview?
Jason Mackey
1:24
Hey Moe, thank you very much. Steph Chambers and I went to Minnesota. Credit to the PG for footing the bill and for Steph for getting some awesome photos. I would urge you to check out her photos and video in addition to reading my story. Really nice packages came out of that trip.
Say what?
1:25
Reading the reaction to the Jack Johnson trade, one gets the sense that many think this guy is not even NHL material.  Did we watch the same Pens defense last year, particularly in the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:26
I find the reaction to the deal overly negative. I get being skeptical, but many have taken it much further than that. The bar established by this group last year ... let's just say wasn't overly high. Shoot, they allowed the most GAPG since 2005-06. Goaltending played a part, but the defense needed a change.
Steven
1:26
How does the team feel about DiPauli? He looks good in the AHL with his away from the puck play, but there’s not a whole lot of consistency to his game. Given Adam Johnson’s development as a bottom 6er, alongside getting PK time and having better puck skills, would you say Johnson has supplanted DiPauli as a prospect?
Jason Mackey
1:27
I think the team would like to see more from DiPauli for one. And they're really high on Johnson, I can tell you that. The problem with both is the lack of available jobs, which should change after this season, when Hagelin is expected to leave. That leaves this year for DiPauli to prove he can 1. Stay healthy 2. Score a little and 3. Do it all in a checking-line role. They like him, sure, but they're not completely convinced.
Phil
1:27
Looks even tougher for any WBS guys to make this roster with the signing of Hayes and Grant. Thoughts on those players?
Jason Mackey
1:28
On Hayes and Grant? I like the moves a lot, personally. Really intrigued by Hayes. Very different from their other guys. Pretty good pedigree, too. ... But as far as the WBS guys, I think they all have a lot of proving to do. Nobody in the group -- Johnson, DiPauli, Blueger or Dea -- has forced management to make a decision the way someone like Guentzel, Rust or Murray has.
Monday Morning QB
1:28
With Fleury gone, who has taken up the mantle of "#1 Prankster"?
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