JotCast | Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.1.18

Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 3.1.18

John L

1:07

Jason did the Pens give up too much future for Brassard? And what are your thoughts on Lindberg and Dunn? Are they significant future contributors? Thanks

Jason Mackey

1:08

OK, folks. Let's do this. Here to answer your questions. ... No, I don't think they did. You have to give to get, No. 1. And Vegas is picking up 40 percent of his salary; they actually saved money. Have never seen either play. Will reserve judgement until then, but there aren't many jobs open right now with the NHL club.

Guest

1:08

Jason, the team went all in to get Brassard so they could run four scoring lines. And yet Sullivan continues to play a fourth line with Kuhnackl and Rowney together and then barely plays them. Those two should never be on the ice at the same time. What is going on with his lineups? Why does think having two slow PK shotblockers with limited offense on the ice at the same time is a great idea? Sheary, anybody with some skill, should occupy one spot on that fourth line, or what's the point in getting Brassard. Agree?

Jason Mackey

1:10

No, I don't. Sheary needs to be with skilled players. Simple as that. He offers nothing in a fourth-line role. As for 34/37 ... I get what you're saying. I would be tempted to bring up Sprong and give him another shot, but it's useless for me to think that because I don't think that's what Sully wants to do. In fact, I know that's not what Sully wants to do. Best case: Their top three lines score enough that it doesn't matter if the fourth line is an offensive graveyard.

Guest

1:10

Phil appears to have been injured a couple games ago and played really poorly last game as he floated around the ice. If he's not going to be effective out there, why doesn't he sit a few games? Call up Simon or Sprong

Jason Mackey

1:10

Because Phil has earned the right to play through what's bugging him. It would hardly be the first game where Phil floated around the case. He's still a difference-maker.

Guest

1:10

Watching the last six weeks or so, I can't for the life of me understand why Sprong hasn't been called up again. Simon got ample opportunity of sucking for so long before he was sent back down. Sheary has not been playing any better than Sprong did and he still plays. Do you really think is about Rutherford's comment that Sprong has to work on his overall game (so does Simon and Sheary btw), or do you think it's because Sullivan and perhaps others on the team think Sprong is a jerk, for lack of an appropriate publishable word, and want to teach him a lesson or something?

Jason Mackey

1:11

Sprong could be the biggest jerk going. If he helps them win, you can deal with it. He would only do so much. He's an incomplete player. I think that's what bothers Sully more than anything. Sprong isn't good away from the puck. He's better, but still below average. They want more of a complete player before they do anything.

Guest

1:11

Worried about Murray. You can call the concussion a freak accident or whatever you will, but this guy has an inordinate amount of "freak" injuries. Is anyone inside the organization truly worried about his fragility? It's clear that the team's going nowhere if it has to play Jarry or DeSmith in the playoffs.

Jason Mackey

1:13

I'm worried, too. He's had a few concussions and a decent run of injuries where I think it's fair to wonder about all this stuff. Do I think he's injury prone? No. These aren't "brittle" injuries. But they have happened, and they need to stop happening. Most of all, because he's a good person, I want Matt's head to be OK.

Dan

1:13

Really impressed by New Jersey last night ! I really don’t think Penguin fans realized what a good GM Ray Shero is...thoughts !

Jason Mackey

1:14

I think Pens fans should realize how good Ray is, and a lot do. But maybe not enough. What he's done in Jersey has been really, really impressive. They're so fast. Feels like a potential playoff opponent, no?

copall

1:14

Once again, giving up odd man rushes has crept back into Pittsburgh's game. They are on some kind of strange cycle (Was there a full moon this past week?). Pens seem to play with a little more abandon when things are going well, get into a defensive rut, then snap out of it. I'm not too worried. How about you?

Jason Mackey

1:14

They're 17-6-1 since Jan. 1. You know how many teams would kill for those problems? They play 82 games. Relax.

copall

1:14

I like Hornqvist. He and his game are old school Black and Gold. But I was surprised the Pens signed him for 5 years at 5.3 mil per year. Aren't they going to have a hard time signing their RFA after the season? Think they will have to get rid of some salaries to sign guys like Rust. Will they depend on salary cap going up?

Jason Mackey

1:15

Some. But they'll be OK. They might sign Rust to a long-term extension, but they don't have to. The design of the system enables cost control. Plus, the way I see it, Hornqvist wasn't optional. That's a very fair contract, much less than he would've made on July 1. If you can do it, shoot, you figure out the rest later, in my opinion.

Guest

1:15

Is "Go To Heaven" the worst Grateful Dead album and does it have the worst album cover art? Thanks, Jason!

Jason Mackey

1:15

I don't listen to the "albums." Only the shows.

Guest

1:16

Why doesn't Cincinnati have an NHL team?

Jason Mackey

1:16

Nothing so good and so fun should allowed to be so close to Vontaze Burfict.

stats

1:16

When you need stats for an article, what source do you use? A database the PG subscribes to or a regular site online for free?

Jason Mackey

1:17

A few things. Naturalstattrick.com. Hockey-reference.com. NHL.com. Corsica.hockey. ... Those are my top four.

Andrea

1:17

Hi Jason, do you think the management see Andrey Pedan as a Hunwick alternative this season? It seems he his having a very good season in WBS.

Jason Mackey

1:17

Not ideally, no. If Hunwick is hurt, they probably use Chad Ruhwedel. They like Pedan, trust me, but they like Ruhwedel more given he played at least a few playoff games last year. Could move Oleksiak to the left side, I'd imagine.

DeadHead

1:18

Jason, I'm betting you are in Boston and I'm betting that you downloaded The Dead Boston show from 4-2-73 to get you in the Boston state of mind, my friend. If not, what Dead show from Boston are you tuning into???

Jason Mackey

1:19

Actually, none. Shame on me. Was listening to some other stuff -- Clarks, Petty, Isbell and Kenny Wayne Shepherd -- and was away from the Dead. Sorry.

1233

1:19

Help settle a bet, who is better RIGHT NOW - Kucherov or Ovechkin?

Jason Mackey

1:19

Kucherov.

PENS 1

1:19

Is Taylor Hall quietly becoming the future face of the NHL? Also, what historic NHL player who you never got to see play in person would you most like to see play in person if you had a time machine and could go back in time and see him play in person? Thank you!

Jason Mackey

1:19

I think that's a little much. I think he's a good player, but two-third of the league's fanbases -- maybe more -- couldn't pick him out of a lineup. Gordie Howe. Easy.

1:19

What is Phil Kessel's playing weight? Is he too heavy for today's game? The NHL is a fast man's game now!

Jason Mackey

1:20

Phil Kessel is one of the fastest players on the team, but nice try.

USA

1:20

Manon Rheaume - Can you share some thoughts on this groundbreaking athlete and will there ever FINALLY be a female player in a regular SEASON NHL game? When I see the WOmen's Olympic ladies game, I know that at least one or two of those players could break the glass (ice) ceiling and compete with the big boys of the NHL. Thoughts?

Jason Mackey

1:21

I think the USA women's hockey team is amazing. Really special. I'm sure they could compete. Can't say I know a ton about Rheaume, though, other than I had one of her cards back in the day.

Timbo

1:21

If Jerry Garcia were alive today, do you think you'd reach out to him and let him know that a Dead Head (you) had made his way into the corporate mainstream and managed to hold down a job working for the man at a corporate newspaper? Some might think you a sellout, but I think it is amazing that in the course of 50 years Dead Heads have gone from being freaky untouchables to mainstream, straight shooting members of society like you. Who would have guessed back in the 70s that Dead Members would have retirement plans and credit cards!!!!! Well done, Jason. You provide hope for the rest of us. And good reporting!

Jason Mackey

1:22

Thanks, Timbo. Appreciate that. Wouldn't reach out to Jerry. Not in that sense, anyway. And I feel like if Jerry were available, he'd be cool with newspapers and writing and the important role it all plays nowadays. What I know of Jerry is that making judgements on others wasn't really his thing.

three peet

1:22

Do the Penguins have the legs to go for another deep playoff run and DARE I SAY another Stanley Cup title?

Jason Mackey

1:22

Yes, I don't think legs are an issue at all right now.

NHL OVERALL

1:22

What team - if you had to guess- will rep the West in the Cup Finals?

Jason Mackey

1:22

I'm going Vegas, baby!