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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 10.19.17
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HB
1:03
Sprong is playing very well in WBS so could we see an earlier call up if someone were to get injured?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Not sure, HB. The goal with Sprong has been -- all along, I should add -- for him to develop down there, score a bunch and get his confidence. If it happened in October or November, no. If it happened in December, I think it's more likely.
HB
1:04
Are you seeing a difference with Ryan Reaves on the ice when it comes to the safety of sid and geno?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Some. We've still seen the same stuff happen. We've seen Malkin fight. And I'm kind of confused why Reaves is only playing six minutes a night. Or sometimes less. ... The important part here is that they're noticing a difference.
lou
1:06
Mackey, so far the choicest Grateful Dead nug I can find to describe the Pens season is "Unbroken Chain" (the album version surprisingly). You get that at all? I feel like the riffs really sum up the emotions thus far, from opening night to now. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Sorry Lou. I hate that song. Really. I can't even think of its contents right now. Nor do I want to.
caopall
1:06
In the past few years, the Pens have been able to do some major damage by scoring dirty goals in the battle areas around the net. Yet, throughout the Crosby/Malkin/Letang era, the Pens have also shown a penchant for trying to “make the next play”, for making passes when a shot on net would do just fine. You ever get the feeling the Pens would rather score the pretty assist?
Jason Mackey
1:07
Sometimes. I think that's something Sullivan hinted at after the Florida game. He'd like for his team to have a shoot-first mentality. They're gifted players and try to make plays. It's tough to stop them from doing that, but, yeah, sometimes they go over the line in terms of trying to create.
caopall
1:07
The Pens have given up more goals than they have scored (25 GF and 29 GA). True, that game against Chicago was bit of an outlier, but still, Pittsburgh’s overall defense hasn’t been great. Major flaws in execution, or more a matter of getting the best from teams that want to beat the champs?
Jason Mackey
1:08
I think there have been some flaws in execution. Defensive coverages. Puck management. Picking up the late man. Allowing other teams transition chances. Gaps. ... They've sort of run the gamut so far, honestly.
Guest
1:08
I see that Mark Kaboly has quit DK sports. I know that you had a falling out with DK and I read all kinds of crazy, negative stuff about him online from ex-employees. Is DK sports really a toxic workplace, because i don't want to support it if it is. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
1:08
I'm not going to comment on my employment at DK here. Wish him, that site and Mark success. No ill-well toward anyone. I just think what I'm doing now is a better fit for me personally.
HB
1:09
Do you think Vegas can keep up and actually make the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Honestly, I'm beginning to think they can. Does that make me crazy?
1:10
Ha. I had no lines. My dad, stepmom and I went to Mellon Arena whenever they were filming it, as extras. They poached my dad for the scene whenever Van Damme ran down through the stands. We also got free nachos. I had no lines, however.
PENS FAN !
1:10
Jason, you revealed I think last season that you were in an action movie in the 90s with Van Damme. I think you said you had just like one line and I know you downplayed it cuz you're modest, but can you remind me what movie it was? I want to look for it on Netflix.
PGH
1:12
Have any NHL players knelt for the Anthem so far this season? Would a player do you think stand for the Canadian Anthem, but kneel for the US Anthem? I have no idea if Canada even has an anthem. I've seen their flag and I know they have there own currency, but I think a lot of the country pledges to the french flag? Is that right? Thanks for the guidance, i've never been to an NHL game.
Jason Mackey
1:13
J.T. Brown from Tampa raised his fist. Believe that's it. ... Yes, Canada has an anthem. C'mon. Awesome one, too. And no, I don't think NHL players would ever kneel for the anthem. Totally different world -- for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is race -- than the NFL or NBA.
Guest
1:13
Jason, did you see American Made starring Tom Cruise? Someone told me Malkin has a cameo in that. True?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I did not see it, but I really doubt it.
Dev
1:14
What’re your thoughts on the Reaves acquisition so far? I’m not seeing someone who fits the mold of a skilled skater and offensive producer. He just takes stupid penalties and he doesn’t do anything to deter the top players fro
Jason Mackey
1:15
I'm a little curious why they're not using him more. I thought there would be more of a benefit to having him on the team. ... I also don't know what went awry with the PK experiment involving Reaves. If he's only going to play 3-6 minutes a night, I would definitely go to someone like Archibald who may be able to offer more.
mc
1:15
Mackey, did you go to the white house to cover the Pens visit? Sorry if this has been covered, just now getting my internet back. it was off for a while due to storm here. anyway, what was the vibe? trump appears to be very divisive yet hockey is the one thing everyone in this country can rally around. THANK YOU
Jason Mackey
1:16
I did go. And the vibe was ... nothing. Some people were upset. Some weren't. (I mean the buzz surrounding them going.) ... The Penguins were very matter-of-fact about it. Trump, too. Honestly, it was executed exactly as it should have been executed.
John
1:16
According to the national media Athanasiou and Red wings are making progress on a contract.  Are the pens still interested in Sheahan or has JR moved on?
Jason Mackey
1:17
He has other targets, as I understand it, but no, he hasn't moved on from Sheahan. ... If he would become available, I'm sure the Penguins would be interested.
Steve
1:17
Jason, lots of news lately with NFL , Anthem & lower ratings...makes NHL that much more appealing . I believe NHL in general is gaining popularity and interest..Is NHL viewership up this season vs. last?
Jason Mackey
1:17
I have not seen any numbers, and honestly, I think it's too small of a sample size to determine anything significant.
Mark
1:17
Please don't take this as an attack, but do you and most Penguins media realize there are plenty of Pens fans who voted for and still support Trump? And that we didn't find their visit controversial at all, in spite of almost every article on the subject? Why pander to the crowd that complained rather than the crowd that celebrated it? That has been bothering me ever since the visit, everything written was walking on eggshells.
Jason Mackey
1:18
Absolutely. And I've heard from you guys. I've heard from people who hate Trump, too. ... I'd love to know how I pandered in this case? If you can provide an example of pandering, please, please, please share it.
dave
1:18
Would you start Niemmi tomorrow so that he can play the first of the back-to-back games?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Yes, I would. I think you need to find out what you have with him, and that involves him playing in front of a rested team, not on the second night of a back-to-back.
HB
1:19
are you surprised at the lack of slashing calls sid and geno are drawing i felt last year every rush up ice you saw a player take a swipe at them?
Jason Mackey
1:19
There's been a lack of slashing calls around the NHL? This is news to me.
dave
1:23
I don't think we can judge Reaves until they play teams like CBJ or WAS and go up against guys like Dubinsky and Wilson.
Jason Mackey
1:24
I think that's fair. I also think it's a nice luxury to have. Believe me, I would be in favor of using Reaves MORE, not LESS. I just don't understand why you play him at all if he only sees 3 minutes. That's the point I was trying to make.
HB
1:24
I mean there is a rise of slashes but sid and geno arent drawing them more so committing them.
Jason Mackey
1:24
They've drawn some. It's just scattershot right now with who is calling what on whom.
Mark
1:24
Perhaps pandering was the wrong word, but every article was so solemn, it was very noticeable. There was no sense of celebration to anything written, it was "Well, they're going, they're going to play it straight, no politics involved." Was anyone worried about "politics" when they visited a Democrat President twice? I certainly don't remember reading article after article about how the visits with Obama would be straight, no politics, in and out, etc. Very, very noticeable difference in tone.
Jason Mackey
1:25
It's funny you say that because, personally, I
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