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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 10.4.17
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Burgh man
5:00
Any news on a 4th line center?
Jason Mackey
5:02
Assuming you mean third-line, as Carter Rowney will center the fourth line. No news. Jim Rutherford is still trying to be patient. I think the organization wants to see a little of what it has in Greg McKegg as well. If he pans out, who knows. But I wouldn't rule out a trade before 2017 is out.
Doctor D
5:02
Hey, Jason. Rutherford said his 3C choices were narrowed down to three candidates, but in the opinions of you and all other Pgh sports media, it's Sheahan or bust. Are there three or one? And if three, who are the others? Bozak? Lowry? Marchessault (a guy can dream)?
Jason Mackey
5:03
Ha. I'm not sure what to make of the Sheahan stuff. It was Sheahan when Detroit GM Ken Holland went to Toronto to meet with Andreas Athanasiou, and that was deal was expected to come together. It hasn't. And it seems like Detroit is reluctant to deal Sheahan now because Athanasiou is leaning toward not playing in the NHL. Bozak is another name I've heard. Have not heard Lowry or Marchessault.
Sid
5:03
Jason, you know how superstitious I am.... I hope you didn't jinx our chance at a third cup by picking us to win it all again this year ....
Jason Mackey
5:03
I think I picked you guys to win it all last year, too, Sid. Easy.
guest
5:04
do you ever get the sense from talking with players who have been on other teams that the Pens locker room is in any way unique or more inclusive than others?  It seems the locker room atmosphere is one of the many things that makes the Pens such a great team.
Jason Mackey
5:04
Yes, I think there's something to that. I think they've created a really good culture and one that brings with his high expectations. That said, much credit for that went to guys like Fleury and Kunitz. I think we'll have to see how this group pans out. It's also very real the treatment Penguins players get -- ridiculously good compared to most other teams.
guest
5:05
Rudwedal must be heartbroken to not get his name on the cup.  who makes the decision on what names to include or exclude that are not automatics?
Jason Mackey
5:05
It's a good question. Can't imagine he's happy, but he has to understand Streit's age and what they're trying to do there.
OHIO412FAN
5:05
Jason, what do the Pens have do to in order to three-peat? With th regular season rolling on in, what particular things could this team improve on compared to last regular season?
Jason Mackey
5:06
Well, they can kill penalties better. Get out of their own end quicker/more efficiently for longer stretches. For as much offense as they produced, they were only so-so possessing the puck. They need depth scoring ... which they had but has some question marks. Most of all, though, with any team, they have to stay healthy.
OHIO412FAN
5:06
Has their been anything new on acquiring a third line Center?
Jason Mackey
5:07
No, sorry. I'm guessing I'm going to get this one a lot. But nothing new. Jim's staying active, talking to teams. Some of that will depend on how McKegg and the third line plays.
Heather
5:07
Out the gate ... what are three things the Penguins should focus on to get this season off to a good start?
Jason Mackey
5:08
Winning? Sorry. I couldn't resist. Good goaltending, for one. They'll score. I'm not worried about that. Killing penalties is something I think warrants some attention, just because they lost some key cogs with that unit in Bonino, Cullen and Hainsey.
Sid
5:08
How many more cups can you foresee me winning before my career is over?
Jason Mackey
5:08
72.
D
5:08
I think Wilson/Rowney/Reaves will be a bruising 4th line, but it’s hard to see a lot of offensive production from them. Do you think they will be a liability for this team?
Jason Mackey
5:09
It depends. I agree with you that I think they will be very physical. They probably won't score a ton. Will that matter? I think that depends on what the Penguins get out of their third line ... and assuming the top-six is productive.
Jaromir Jagr
5:10
I finally got on a team!
Jason Mackey
5:10
And I'm going to Calgary. Could not be happier, Jags.
Connor McDavid
5:10
Wouldn't a great SCF be Pens/Oilers? Do you think it's a possibility?
Jason Mackey
5:11
Absolutely. On both accounts. That would be great for everyone involved. Well, except for Pittsburgh reporters trying to fly to Edmonton, but we'll live.
Kevin
5:11
Does the trade of Pouliot mean the 3C search is over till closer to the deadline? Seems only 1 external candidate was available right now & the main return in that trade just got shipped off. Makes me nervous seeing that we won 2 cups based on 4 strong lines.
Jason Mackey
5:12
No, I wouldn't link the two. I think the Pouliot move is just them being certain about getting something for him and not dealing with seven D on one-way contracts. The third-line center deal wasn't there, so no reason to screw up your defense because of it. I think Rutherford is still going to monitor this closely, and I wouldn't be surprised he does something sooner rather than later.
Lukas
5:12
Is a new Sheahan deal in the works?
Jason Mackey
5:13
Not that I'm aware of. I get the sense the Red Wings may be reluctant to move him because of what's going on with Andreas Athanasiou.
Jerry
5:13
Excellent article on Letang, Crosby and Malkin this morning.
Jason Mackey
5:13
Thank you, Jerry. And thank you for hanging out here.
Dp
5:13
Which player that was not on the roster last year could you see having the biggest impact, and what kind of production do you see them having?
Jason Mackey
5:14
Good question, DP. The impact won't be as noticeable as, say, Jake Guentzel or someone like that, but I've liked what I've seen so far from Matt Hunwick. A lot. Can play a quiet game. Fits what the Penguins are trying to do. Low-maintenance personality-wise. He's fit in so well we've almost forgotten he's here. I like him and Cole on the third pair.
Lukas
5:15
Any truth to Jimmy Murphy's comments about the Penguins and Avs talking Duchene again?
Jason Mackey
5:15
I know not of what you speak, Lukas. Last I heard, the Penguins didn't have the pieces to give Colorado what it was asking for -- which is quite a bit.
Kevin
5:15
I'm so happy hockey is back! Is pgh seen as 1 of the premier hockey cities of the nhl? It seemed unthinkable just a few years ago but the pens are giving the Steelers a run for their money here. Especially with all the drama in the NFL. Just wondering what the outside perception of our fan base is.
Jason Mackey
5:17
Hey Kevin. Me too! Yes, I think that's fair. I think there's always going to be a perception of Detroit, Minnesota, Buffalo, etc., as hardcore hockey markets, and that's legit. But Pittsburgh is definitely creeping into that conversation, if it hasn't already. If there's one thing that I think Pittsburgh separates Pittsburgh, it's league-wide interest. Penguins fans are REALLY into the Penguins, and that's awesome. In some of those other cities, I think it's fair to say there's probably more interest in teams other than the local ones. Maybe it's just because yinz are so passionate about your own teams, I don't know.
JP
5:17
How long do you think McKegg stays as our 3 line center? I will not criticize him because i simply haven't seen him play enough to do so, but it is hard to believe that if sheahan is obtainable they wouldn't acquire him, right?
Jason Mackey
5:18
Probably until Rutherford finds the right deal. Ha. I like Greg McKegg. I do. But I worry if there's going to be enough offense there to create enough depth scoring and to make sure that Hagelin and Hornqvist -- or whoever those third-line wingers are -- remain productive. I could be wrong, but it does concern me.
Shoob
5:18
You think there was a chance the Preds could've been the home opener for the Pens? Would've been salt in the wound if so with the banner raising ceremony.
Jason Mackey
5:19
I'm not even going to pretend to understand the NHL's motives as they pertain to home-openers and schedule. I'm guessing the Predators are over it by now, though. I'd hope.
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