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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 8.24.17
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Rick
1:00
Jason, thanks as always for interacting with us fans.  Now after all the roster dust has settled and Cullen in MN, do you think JR regrets not signing Nick as 3C at the price Nashville paid?   Hindsight is always 20-20 but would team like a "do-over" on letting him go?   Or do you think that price is still too high for a 3C getting great matchups thanks to 87 and 71?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Hey Rick. My pleasure. I say this often, but it bears repeating: I absolutely love these things. It's mutual. ... Anyway, I don't think GMJR regrets the Bonino "miss" at all. I use quotes because on no planet was Rutherford comfortable going four years for that $$$. Maybe 1-2. But Rutherford told me -- and others -- at the time that he was wary of saddling the Penguins with bad contracts 3-4 years down the line. Made more sense to let Bonino walk.
Rahn
1:02
Is Will Butcher visiting the Penguins?
Jason Mackey
1:02
He is not. I reported a couple days ago that, barring something huge, they're not among the favorites to land him.
Rahn
1:02
We know about the prospects that are on the tips of most people's tongues: Sprong, Aston-Reese, Jarry, Adam Johnson and maybe Prow. Name a guy that scouts/personnel on the team are eager to see progress this year. My pick: Freddie Tiffels.
Jason Mackey
1:04
Good choice, Rahn. I won't argue. Have seen TIffels skate some this week in Cranberry. Looks very good. You might think I'm insane for this and maybe I am, but I'm starting to be convinced that maybe Derrick Pouliot figures it out this season as well.
Pat
1:04
Saw GMJR say he's considering giving Horny an extension? Surely that means we'd have to trade Kessel after next season if that's the case? Would be little to no cap space for the free agents.
Jason Mackey
1:08
I think it makes plenty of business sense to look at dealing Kessel after this season, provided he scores in a way that aligns more with what he's done throughout his career. I get they're 2 for 2 in Stanley Cups with Kessel here, but individually, he had his lowest goal output since, I believe, 2007-08. Why not wait another year, let Sprong and Aston-Reese knock down the door, then look to do something? And you're right: Money would get a little funky if they held onto Kessel for a number of years, but I really doubt they will. As for Hornqvist, he's a separate entity. The Penguins love what he brings, sure, but Hornqvist's agent could and probably should advise him to seek one last big payday via free agency. He'll have one heckuva resume built up by then, I know that.
Steven
1:08
Hi friend, as is the commonly asked question, any update on the timeline/targets for 3C?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Hi friend. No. Ha. I know that's the question everyone wants answered, and I totally understand why. Things are, to quote Mike Sullivan, status quo. Rutherford is shopping, waiting for a couple dominoes to fall around the league. Until they do, he's completely comfortable slow-playing thing, similar to what he did with Kessel. Truthfully, too, August is a very, very quiet period league-wide; many of his fellow GMs are on vacation.
#66
1:09
Can I come out of retirement to play PP and a few minutes on 4th line C?   Problems solved!
Jason Mackey
1:09
Mario, let's be honest here: I think you would have a slightly greater role than that.
Joe
1:10
Jason, on the list that came out where a writer was speculating as to five centers the Pens are looking at, Nick Bjugsted was at the top.  Do you agree that the Pens are interested in him?  If so, a roster player will have to go to take on his $4.1 mil salary.  Do you think JR is willing to shed a roster player to get a 3C he likes.  You guys seem to think he doesnt want to trade someone off the roster.
Jason Mackey
1:12
Do I think they would be interested? Yes. Do I think it's realistic? No. Florida would be nuts to deal Bjugstad, in my opinion, and I don't care what the return would be. And heck, if they're dealing Bjugstad -- and pretty much setting fire to their season -- I think personally I would rather have Vince Trocheck. But again, I don't see Florida doing this. Is Rutherford willing to do? For the right player. I think he would prefer not to. And I think they can get away with only losing, say, Tom Kuhnhackl. But if there's a young guy with speed and offense with a friendly cap hit, etc., etc., I think Rutherford would be willing to talk. Maatta or Sheary would likely be the tradeable pieces.
Joe
1:12
Chances the Pens go into the season with Rowney as their 3C?
Jason Mackey
1:13
Not good, in my opinion. I think he's their 4C, but I think GMJR will do a deal -- at least one -- to get a legit 3C. If Rowney's your 3C, who's your 4C? That's scary, and there's a lack of depth immediately. You get a 3C, Rowney's your 4C, then you can see what you have with Blueger/Dea/Simon/etc.
Joe
1:14
Do you think JR has gotten himself between a rock and a hard place with the Pens center depth?  There is not many prospects in the pipeline and he's been unable or unwilling to pull the trigger on a trade likely because everyone knows he needs a center and want overpayment from him.  Did he play his hand wrong? Just seems to me he didnt have a good plan going in to replace Bonino
Jason Mackey
1:16
I don't. And if you want to call what GMJR has in front of him a rock and a hard place, then I think 30 other GMs would love to be between a rock and a hard place. I can't say too much here, but what I know I'm safe saying is this: Trust me, Rutherford absolutely has/had a plan. Was it to wait until September? Probably not. But sometimes that's what the market dictates. I think it would be a bigger crime to overpay now simply to say that he got someone. He's looking for the right fit, in a lot of areas. That doesn't always happen quickly.
Dan
1:16
Jason do you feel the Pens will make a "splash" in their effort for a number 3 center and realistically what would the cost be..i.e. Masts Sheary Number 1 all of the above or is it a fix type of player ?
Jason Mackey
1:17
I don't know if I'm cool with "splash" and No. 3 center in the same sentence, but do I think GMJR will get someone you've heard of? Yes. I don't believe he'll part with Maatta or Sheary, knowing what I know now. Of course, things can change, so I would never say never. But I don't think it's necessary at this point to get someone who fits.
Dan
1:17
Brian Dumoulin and Daniel Sprong to Boston for Sids buddy Brad Marchand...thoughts ?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Did you just pull three names out of a hat, or are you day drinking? Both are cool. Not judging. But those are my thoughts on that trade suggestion.
Guest
1:18
I've seen a lot of comments from reporters saying some players heights are listed "generously" or, once, flat out saying "maybe he's that tall when wearing skates". This seems to be related to players of shorter heights (obviously), like Sheary; is the same said of Sid or is he, in your best guestimate, actually 5'11"? Are the players over 6'0
Jason Mackey
1:20
I know what you mean. Although with Sheary being listed at 5-8, I think that's fair. Sid 5-11? I'm not a human tape measure, but I think that's fair, too. I remember Marty St. Louis being listed at something like 5-10 or similar and thinking, 'No way.' Even Guentzel. I have a tough time believing he's 5-11, 180 pounds.
copall
1:20
Think the Pens will offer a professional try out to any of the veteran players out there currently unsigned?
Jason Mackey
1:20
No, I don't. They're the two-time Stanley Cup champs. They don't need to go shopping at those stores, in my opinion.
Jimmy R
1:20
ZAR seems highly regarded yet I did not have much competition in signing him?  What gives?
Jason Mackey
1:21
Part of it, I think, was how Zach knew he fit into the Penguins' system, in addition to their history with American-born college players. I remember talking to ZAR in a Philly hotel room -- by phone, of course -- after the deal was announced, and, man, I still think about how excited he sounded.
Schall
1:21
DK said you backstabbed Molinari in a chat. What is he talking about?
Jason Mackey
1:31
Knew this would come up. One, Dejan is wrong. As I tweeted, I don't make hiring or staffing decisions at the Post-Gazette. My bosses do, and I do what I'm told to the best of my ability. That's not a crime or "stabbing someone in the back." I also could never imagine my bosses feeling the need to comment on what DKPittsburghSports.com or the Tribune-Review do with their hiring and staffing decisions. I have the utmost respect for Dave. He's in the Hall of Fame. I grew up reading him. He's long been one of my idols and one of the primary reasons I got into this business. That he's doing more Penn State isn't at all my decision or my doing, and I respect Dave and the folks who make such decisions at the Post-Gazette too much to get into it here. I do hope that after Penn State finishes Dave will again have a voice on Penguins, but again, that's not going to be my decision to make.
Eugene M
1:31
When I return to the motherland each summer, why does Vlad let me escape yet again?  Just curious.....
Jason Mackey
1:32
Eugene? That's a good one.
Mario
1:32
Who are the most likely candidates to get packaged in a trade for a 3rd center?  Wilson, Kuhnhackl, Archibald, Rust, Maata, Cole?  Which teams have the worst salary cap issues and might be willing to trade away a contract?
Jason Mackey
1:34
I don't think the Penguins would be willing to give up Rust in this sort of trade, although obviously I could be wrong. It also wouldn't provide them with much cap relief. ... The Leafs need a top-four D. It wouldn't net any cap relief, but I could potentially see Maatta-Bozak there. Or the Red Wings need cap relief. I wonder if the Penguins could pry Riley Sheahan from them?
King of the North
1:35
Who's tougher , Ryan Reaves or the Hound?
Jason Mackey
1:35
Reaves.
Birdie
1:35
Do you know how VGK can be seen in yo Ohio can't get answer from vegas an want to watch Fleury. Would appreciate any info thx
Jason Mackey
1:35
Hey BIrdie. If you buy the NHL package for your computer, that should include Vegas games.
Diego
1:35
Any news of Lukas Bengtsson, is he healthy to start the season?
Jason Mackey
1:35
Good question. I believe so, but I can't confirm 100 percent.
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