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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 03.14.19
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Jason Mackey
12:55
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat. Lots of great questions here. Let's get started.
Cole Wight
12:55
Hey Jason! With DeSmith getting the start tonight against Buffalo, do you think Murray goes back to back against St Louis and Philadelphia?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Hi Cole, yes, I think that's what Mike Sullivan will do. Both St. Louis and Philly have played well the second half of the year. I think you wanna make sure you get a win against Philly and try to knock them out of the race. ... Honestly, I wouldn't be stunned if Sullivan went with Murray again until the Rangers game on March 25.
guest
12:57
Tom Wilson is low class, a bully and a coward.  he couldn't run from Gudbranson quick enough, wouldn't engage with Garrett Wilson, but targeted and bullied Guentzel the whole game who is about 100 pounds less than him.  He will only fight on his terms when he can get a jump on people (Oleksiak).  When all defensemen are healthy, there is no doubt Gudbranson needs to still be on the ice.
Jason Mackey
12:58
Thank you for the input. I have no problem with what Tom Wilson did the other night, honestly. That's his game. You need a guy to play that way. You don't need a guy taking runs at people, of course, but someone who plays hard and hits the other team's best and hottest players? If I'm the Caps, I want Wilson trying to knock around Guentzel. Will be interesting to see on Gudbranson. I don't disagree.
Adam Smith
12:58
Is Gudbranson playing his way into a permanent role with the Penguins? It seemed like this was a “stop the bleeding” move at first, but now I would imagine GMJR will have some tough personnel decisions in the off season.
Jason Mackey
12:59
Yeah, I think he certainly has played his way into the conversation. The cap hit makes it tough, though. If he was making $1.2 million, absolutely. But he's not. GMJR will have some tough decisions. Would imagine he moves Maatta or Gudbranson.
guest
12:59
who decides which jersies the team wears?  I think they need to wear their third jersies the whole playoffs!
Jason Mackey
1:00
It's an interesting theory. They're 10-1, I believe. Everything for the regular season is already scheduled, but I don't think there's anything prohibiting them from doing that. Would imagine probably GMJR makes the final call to the league. I don't think they're gonna do it, though.
guest
1:00
wow... McCann... awesome!!  Nothing further needs said :)
Jason Mackey
1:00
Yep, he's been terrific.
Adam Smith
1:00
Are the Penguins morphing into real contenders during this stretch, capable of beating teams like the Lightning or the Jets?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I think so, at least to the first part of your question. A lot of stuff coming together, and it starts with goaltending. But it's very possible this team is getting hot at the right time ... as I believe I've said on here a few times. ... Knocking off those two? Maybe. Tampa has not overcome a lick of adversity this season. I think it says something when you do that. Penguins are certainly right there.
Bill M.
1:01
First off, love your columns and this chat board. It’s probably rather obvious but I’d like your take on Gudbranson’s effect on Tom Wilson’s on-ice behavior during Tuesday’s game. It appeared that Wilson was a bit more subdued than in previous games against the Pens. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Thanks, Bill. Appreciate the kind words. I don't know if I saw a huge change in Wilson's antics ... although I do think he kept it mostly legal. I think he was a little bit frustrated that he had someone actively giving it back to him. That's not always the case. And I thought Gudbranson approached his role in that game exactly perfect. Didn't fixate on Wilson but definitely knew where he was.
JohnAl
1:02
Does the emergence of Petterson make Maatta likely to be traded in the summer, or do you still think Gudbranson is the most likely guy to move?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I don't know. I don't think they know, honestly. I think we need to see how it plays out with Gudbranson for the rest of the year and what happens with Maatta's shoulder. I think those two things will make the decision for GMJR.
Brady
1:03
Hey Jason - Any updates on the injury front?  Thought Letang was close and now that does not seem to be the case and will we even see Rust again this season?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Rust is apparently close. He skated this morning in Buffalo. (I'm not on the trip. Matt is.) ... Letang is a weird one. Was back with the team for two days but didn't take contact. Then he "wasn't feeling well." Didn't go to Columbus. Then back with the team, non-contact. Doesn't go to Buffalo. ... Which, in both of those cases, cool, he doesn't go on the road ... given the fact that Rust is getting close and he is on the road ... wouldn't that mean that Letang isn't close? We've also never gotten a solid timetable on Letang. Only that he would be evaluated daily. That's not a timetable. Someone could have two broken legs and still get evaluated daily. That's a long way of saying two things 1. I don't think he's close and 2. This all is a little fishy to me.
Jim
1:06
Are you worried about Letang's injury?  Normally Pens injured players don't skate by themselves then practice with the team then skate by themselves again.  It feels like Letang's injury is more serious then they are letting on.
Jason Mackey
1:09
I agree with you, Jim. See my previous answer. Again, he was with the team for two days but didn't take contact. Was sick on a Thursday. Club was off Friday. When he wasn't with the team Saturday, I asked Sullivan if that represented a setback. Mike said no; Letang was sick. He and Olli did individual stuff Monday, Letang was back with the team in a non-contact capacity Tuesday. Travel day Wednesday, not with the club today. Anyway ... I suppose that he's staying home because he can get more done, but I would argue, again, that means he's not close.
Dan Mucy
1:09
Hi Jason!  Glad to talk again!   OK...welcome back playoff-Matt Murray!   I think this may sound weird off the top, but did the injuries to Letang and Dumo sort of help stabilize the identity of our defense?    Maybe a simpler style of D isn't that bad after all?   Johnson has been terrific, and so have the other guys.    Also, I think JR has his "mojo" back.   We talked last week about the Florida dynamic duo....but how about Gudbranson?   Much MUCH better than I dreamed!    Great work, my friend, keep it up!    Dan
Jason Mackey
1:11
Thanks, Dan. ... They honestly might have. And they got the Penguins thinking about playing a simpler style that they needed to play ... but, for whatever reason, wouldn't. They gave guys like Johnson and Gudbranson a chance to play a little more, which helped. And I think the Penguins as a whole have just seemed to have a greater sense of urgency since those injuries. On GMJR: He's not going to be perfect; he's made mistakes. But he's not nearly as bad as someone Penguins fans wanted to make him out to be. Glad it seems like that opinion has shifted.
Guest
1:11
How significant has Jim Rutherford’s contribution personnel decisions and acquisitions in the success of the penguins.
Jason Mackey
1:12
Very significant, honestly. He's the GM. He takes input, sure. And Mike Sullivan has been hugely responsible. But I think with some of the moves that have occurred this year -- McCann, Bjugstad, sending out Brassard, Gudbranson -- GMJR has exerted a little more control than he had previously.
Bobb
1:12
Looking ahead, the team looks to be facing a bit of a cap crunch this summer.  With the cap projected to be $83 million they have around $4 million left to sign Pettersson, ZAR, Riikola, Blueger, and another depth forward or two.

Basically, it looks like they have to shed a decently sized contract (ex: Maatta, Honrqvist, Gudbranson, Bjugstad.).  What do you see them doing in the offseason?   Is Maatta the odd man out since they have so many D signed?  Is he the odd man out this postseason since Pettersson has been really good and the team doesn't want to bench Johnson, who has played ok recently?
Jason Mackey
1:14
I wouldn't call that a cap crunch. That's just normal business. Yes, Jim will have to move a defenseman this summer. I think it's too early to tell who that will be. But none of those guys you mentioned are going to break the bank. Believe they're all RFAs. ... I don't know if I would look for them to sign another forward or two. I think GMJR will also listen on Phil, as he did last year, and it might make sense to do something. In which case, that could change the calculus.
Peter Kadar
1:14
Jim Rutherford
Jason Mackey
1:14
Jim Rutherford.
Go Pens
1:14
I'v seen this movie before about Letang.
Jason Mackey
1:14
I don't know if I'm there quite yet. But he should be taking contact soon, I would think.
Mike
1:14
Is this 2017 all over again for Letang?  A day to day neck injury that turns into neck surgery?
Jason Mackey
1:15
Again, I think it's fair to wonder those things. But I still think we're in an acceptable range here, before things get too crazy. ... If we're still playing this game in a week to 10 days, then I think we might have a problem.
cindy
1:15
Has Kris Letang's status changed, or is he still day to day? Isn't it concerning that he still isn't skating with the team?
Jason Mackey
1:16
He was with the team Tuesday. Non-contact. He didn't take the last road trip, either. It could be because he can get more done at home than he can on the road with limited ice time.
Biggus
1:16
I loved the dig HCMS got in on that slug Brassard.  Brassard reminds me of that Pirates player who went into Operation Shutdown.  What excuses is Brassard making now that he is skating on Colorado's top line and still not producing? (nice payday he's going to get haha)
Jason Mackey
1:17
Ha. I don't know if that was intentional. It could have just been Sullivan really liking how much those guys enjoy their roles ... because they do. But you're right. Just too many excuses. I like Brassard, too, but man, the guy  had a reason for everything not working. Sooner or later you just have to make it work. Jared McCann has sure found a way.
Larry in KY
1:17
Do you think Oleksiak would still be a Penguin if he had won that fight with the Capitals Tom Wilson?
Jason Mackey
1:18
No, I don't think that had anything to do with it. His contract did. He was an attractive commodity to other teams: club contract, low number, solid player. He was their most transferrable asset. That's why he was traded more than anything.
Brian
1:18
So glad for the win Tuesday night but did it seem their were a great deal of odd man scoring chances against the Penguins during game. Also the defense looked somewhat slow. I will chalk that up to not having Letang,
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