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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 9.27.18
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Jason Mackey
1:27
I don't hate the combination, and right now it's basically the only jump available. You can't play Sprong ahead of Hornqvist or Kessel, IMO. Simon-Brassard-Rust has been a pleasant surprise. Sprong doesn't play the left side.
Guest
1:27
I doubt he’d ever show it but how annoyed is Sid w his lack of stable winger? (Guentz has been amazing but the other side is slightly lacking. I do love Horny but doesn’t seem like what sid would want in a winger)
Jason Mackey
1:28
I don't think he's annoyed at all. I think there are times when Sid would rather have Simon or Rust there, but he's not vehemently against Hornqvist or anything ... at least to the point that he's annoyed. I think Sid wants to win, and right now having Hornqvist there is the best way of doing that.
PD
1:28
You have been saying that ZAR will likely be headed to WBS because he has a 2-way contract
Jason Mackey
1:28
Yes, I have. Your point?
Puck That
1:28
If Pens keeping 14 forwards they are down to that now with Dea gone.  If the send Ricolah down they’re carry 6 Defensemen...I don’t think they’re carrying 3 goalies...think ZAR is here to stay, no?
Jason Mackey
1:30
I think it's too early to determine any of that. We don't know the extent of Sprong's injury. They won't keep three goalies, I can tell you that. I would probably keep Grant and Ruhwedel as my extras and have ZAR and Riikola make sure they play, build their confidence some.
Concernedcatlady
1:32
Do you think Yeho is taking care of his cat or is he just leaving it in his guest bedroom?
Jason Mackey
1:32
Who is Yeho? Is this a Josh Yohe typo? I didn't know he was taking care of a cat.
AlJohn
1:32
Schultz and Johnson don’t work well together because they’re both offensively-minded defensemen. Johnson is not a defensive stalwart, and using him as such is why he struggled (to be kind) in Columbus. Why do you keep pushing him as a Cole-type defender?
Jason Mackey
1:34
You might want to inform Jack Johnson that he's an offensive-minded defender. ... Hey, nobody is saying he's a shutdown guy. All he has to do is play safe. He can do that. Whether it's with Schultz or Maatta. I've used the Cole comparison because he was playing with Schultz, and Johnson and Cole both do well delivering hits, blocking shots and playing on the PK. Not like I was comparing Santa Claus to Barry Sanders. Easy.
JohnnyJohnny
1:34
No question, but I want to applaud your latest work telling some truths about Dominik Simon’s performance in the playoffs. Good work looking into that!
Jason Mackey
1:35
Sure. I never ignored them, to be honest. I still think his playoff performance was a mixed bag. You can cite his 2.0 P/60 all you want, but you can't tell me he was their fourth-best forward.
Dan
1:35
How can the pens not be the lead dog in town right now? Steelers are not going anywhere, it will always be the Pirates right where they are and the Pens are always in the hunt for the title. Seems to me they should definitely be the lead dog.
Jason Mackey
1:36
I'll describe it from where I sit ... I have no idea about AT&T SportsNet, the Trib, Athletic, DK, KDKA ... you get the idea. When the Steelers are playing, they lead our site. When they're not, it's Penguins. That's my point. Later this season, the Penguins will take over. But right now, for whatever reason, the NHL team doesn't have everyone's undivided attention. Yes, Pirates are No. 3, but AT&T SportsNet does have a contract to do Pirates games. You can't expect them to shirk that because you want to watch preseason hockey.
J.C.
1:36
What are your observations concerning the backup goalie situation. My perspective is that Tristan has played better this preseason. But given waiver and playing time need, it appears Pens management will send him down again to WBS. What’s your perception about how this is playing out among the team?
Jason Mackey
1:38
I'm mostly right with you, J.C. Sorta like I said earlier with Daniel Sprong, Tristan Jarry needed to set the world on fire in the preseason. He needed to make the decision a no-doubter for Penguins coaches. He hasn't. No shame in that, but I think the decision will be to stay with what was working, and that's Casey DeSmith. That said, if DeSmith struggles, it won't be long before we see Tristan back here.
Dan
1:38
So the Pens aren't the lead dog? Why? Pirates perennially going nowhere, Steelers mediocre at best, Pens always in the hunt. Sounds like a good recipe for being the lead dog.
Jason Mackey
1:38
Got this one earlier, Dan. Point was that the Steelers are going to be No. 1 here as long as they're playing. That is all.
Wherearethey
1:38
What Penguins Alt jersey would you like to see the most?
Jason Mackey
1:39
I love the diagonal PITTSBURGH one. I always use Snoop's Gin and Juice video as the example.
LN
1:39
I am surprised they have not tried Sprong with Rust and Brassard.  He is not a fourth liner.
Jason Mackey
1:39
They don't want to bust up Simon-Brassard-Rust. That line has been their best in the preseason.
LN
1:39
How discouraged is someone like Bruegger to know that if he was on another team he would be in the NHL and not WB?   I would think that would discourage young players from wanting to sign here.
Jason Mackey
1:40
Well, first part first ... I don't think Blueger is discouraged, but that's a credit to him. He would have reason to be. He's ready, but he's like seven or eight on the depth chart. Would be easy to get a little frustrated. That said, he has little leverage, the same as most young players. It might discourage, say, college free agents or something like that, but the way the Penguins are built, they're only filling in cracks with those guys anyway.
Yinzer73
1:40
Would you join Mark Madden in a tag team to take on James Harrison and Mike Mitchell’s banter?
Jason Mackey
1:41
Absolutely not. That's Mark's thing, and good for him. But you'll notice that's not exactly how I conduct myself on social media. Not a criticism of Mark. I just couldn't keep that up.
TheBigDawg
1:41
I’m gonna keep it real chief, Jacques Martin doesn’t get enough love for helping the D.
Jason Mackey
1:41
Thank you for keeping it real.
Ghost of Hunwick
1:41
Thoughts on a disappointing pre season from Jack Johnson? When can we expect the Curious George soundtrack in full at PPG
Jason Mackey
1:42
Jack Johnson really had that disappointing of a preseason? I'm not ready to agree with that. Nor am I ready to hear musical Jack Johnson at PPG Paints Arena. Might feel the urge to walk around barefoot, and it's too cold for that.
Moe
1:44
It seems everyone is down on Daniel Sprong for every excuse imaginable from last year to this pre-season.  Geesh!  The season hasn't even started yet. I think it's all just a load of low hanging fruit.  I'll wait to see his game in real play.  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
1:46
I do feel bad for Sprong in a way. It seems like EVERY PART of his game is getting scrutinized; surely he isn't the first young kid to do some dumb stuff. That said, this isn't Arizona or Detroit. There's a higher expectation. And if he's not meeting it, that's on him. Have to earn your time.
dave
1:46
Why does Crosby like playing with Simon?  Simon doesn't seem to have much offensive ability.
Jason Mackey
1:47
I think he likes his speed, ability and willingness to work in the corners, how he makes himself available and Simon's passing ability. I see it, but Simon needs to take shorter shifts and be smarter with the puck. He's been pretty good with Brassard and Rust, though, I'll give him that.
J.C.
1:47
Which goalie is going to WBS? Tristan or Casey? My preseason perception is Tristan has performed slightly better, but not much better. Obviously waiver status makes Casey the pick to stay. What’s your perception about how this is playing with the team players and coaching staff?
Jason Mackey
1:48
I think Casey will stay. Tristan had to knock some socks off in the preseason, and I'm not sure he's done that. He's been good, sure, but not great. I think they're just fine keeping status quo with Casey. That said, I don't think the leash is very long. Tristan could be back.
AlJohn
1:48
On September 24 you wrote an article that said “a responsible, stay-at-home defender who can add a splash of offense here and there, in addition to blocking shots, killing penalties and finishing his checks. It’s one of the reasons pairing him with Justin Schultz makes sense.”
Jason Mackey
1:48
Yes. How does that translate into "offensive minded defensemen"?
DarthReptar666
1:48
I’m concerned about the lack of a true enforcer this year. Reaves was perfect in his role of deterrence before being traded to a starring role for Vegas. Would someone like Pat McGrath take that role this season?
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