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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 9.28.17
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Jason Mackey
12:43
Hey everyone. I'm here at Penguins practice, which should be ending shortly. This thing will start when I get out of the dressing room. It will be later than 1 p.m., but you can ask your question now and I promise I'll get back to it when I'm out of the room. Like every week, I'll answer each and every one.
Lukas
1:44
Hi Jason, any news on the Danis Zaripov front? I sense the dominoes might fall once the Red Wings pay up for AA.
Jason Mackey
1:44
Hi Lukas. Nothing new. As you might expect, his camp is not expecting for Danis to be on a team for Game 1. The Penguins aren't going anything because they're waiting out the Red Wings for Sheahan, as I understand it.
Chris
1:44
Do u think Ryan reaves is going to play the whole season
Jason Mackey
1:47
Like every minute of every game? That might be asking a bit much. ... I'm just playing around. Yeah, I think Reaves will play every night, assuming he's healthy. I really do think he can help this team.
Kegger
1:47
Have I made a compelling enough case for myself, or is Sheahan still a better option? The extra cap space could be beneficial near the deadline.
Jason Mackey
1:47
You've made a great case, Greg, and I wouldn't be shocked to see you in the lineup on opening night. Long-term, I think the organization is taking a wait-and-see approach.
KJ
1:48
Hi. The Pouliot for Sheahan rumor keeps surfacing, but I don’t know why the Wings would be interested in Pouliot when they already have nine defensemen on one-way contracts. Any insight? Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:49
Hi KJ, I can't speak for the Red Wings' team-building philosophies. I honestly don't know how many one-way contracts they have, either. All I know is what I've been told by sources, and that's the fact that Pouliot is likely involved in a Sheahan trade.
Jay
1:49
What kind of impact do you see Mark Recchi having this year as the assistant coach?
Jason Mackey
1:50
I think it will be relative. I think he'll have an impact, sure, but so did Rick Tocchet. The best way to frame it, in my opinion, is this: I don't think there will be a significant dropoff with Tocchet leaving, and that's because of Recchi.
Daniel S.
1:50
I know I’m a natural RW, but I shoot right handed. I think I’d be more useful on my off-wing with Geno
Jason Mackey
1:51
Daniel, I've never liked what I've seen out of you on the left side. I think it would be better to develop more and stick with the right.
AT from VA
1:51
I know that I am probably lagging behind this preseason but I just saw the replay of Niemi making a save without his glove. Did he end up hurting himself on that play?
Jason Mackey
1:51
He did not. Thankfully. That could have been ugly.
Daniel S.
1:51
More useful than, say, Haggy, Who would be better suited to play on the 3rd line.
Jason Mackey
1:52
They're also going to try Wilson and Rust there. I also think Aston-Reese is ticketed there in future years. Honestly, if you make me choose, I'd take Rust in that role above anybody else.
I am Legend
1:52
The obligatory 3rd line C question, any closer to a trade or is McKegg gonna be the man for now?
Jason Mackey
1:52
Same deal: It's tied to Andreas Athanasiou, at least as far as Sheahan and Detroit goes. Nobody seems to know what in the world Athanasiou is going to do for this upcoming season.
AT from VA
1:53
I saw that there is now a 2 minute minor penalty for a failed offsides challenge. Do you agree with the new rule?  I think you are going to obviously have fewer challenges BUT when you do challenge and there is a really close (judgement) call and it doesn't go your way, the coaches are not only going to be upset about losing the challenge but now they have to put someone in the box for 2 minutes as well. I know people can say offsides is not really a judgement call but it can be when it is a very close play.
Jason Mackey
1:55
I don't like it at all. I actually wish there was no review for this, period. I'm not a big proponent of splitting hairs, especially not with this. But when they started this, the idea was to get the call right. Where did that go? That doesn't seem to be the intent with two minutes at stake. I think we've gotten away from the point of the review.
I am Legend
1:55
Honest assessment of McKegg?
Jason Mackey
1:59
Honestly, I think they should start the season with him. See what happens. If he falters, he falters. I'll have more later today, after I finish this chat. But I've been impressed with the skating ability. Can do a little bit on the PK and PP. Can win draws. Offensive ability is OK. For what they save -- allowing them to potential get someone else down the road -- I think it's worth a shot.
dave
1:59
Last night was the first time I watched Niemmi play, and I thought he looked shaky.  How has he looked to you so far?
Jason Mackey
2:00
Ha. He had a good first two periods in Columbus, then another shaky third. I think he's been ... OK. Not hugely impressed, but it is the preseason; take results with a grain of salt. He can definitely be prone to lapses, which was an issue for him last season.
AT from VA
2:00
Which rookie do you think will have the most points for the pens this season?
Jason Mackey
2:01
They're going to have a rookie on the team? Or do you mean Sprong/Aston-Reese with Wilkes-Barre? I'd go Sprong.
I am Legend
2:01
Where does Pouliot start the season?
Jason Mackey
2:01
Good question. At this rate, Wilkes-Barre. If you keep McKegg, you can afford to pay Pouliot NHL money to play in the minors. My second choice would be Detroit in a Sheahan trade.
I am Legend
2:01
Top 5 threats (teams) to the Pens winning another title?
Jason Mackey
2:03
My final four in the East includes the Penguins, Capitals, Lightning and Maple Leafs. I think Edmonton comes out of the West. I go back and forth on who I think they'll beat. Gonna go with Chicago -- for now.
AT from VA
2:03
Who is your favorite guy on the team to talk with and why?
Jason Mackey
2:04
I like talking to Murray a lot. He's really smart and interesting when you get him one-on-one. Malkin talking is always an event. Ian Cole and Ryan Reaves are incredible quotes. And fun. Tom Kuhnhackl is also sneaky good.
Jake From Statefarm
2:04
Do any of the players have any interesting or weird pregame rituals?
Jason Mackey
2:05
Ha. A lot of them. Too many to name. Crosby and Guentzel passing came up last night. Sid's stickhandling. Malkin shooting a puck at Chris Stewart at the end of warmup. The order they come out on the ice. Dumoulin at the front. All kinds of stuff.
guest
2:05
It is a real shame the Penguins have gotten dragged into this political mess.  I hope it does not cause the team a distraction as the season starts.  Last I checked Crosby is a Canadian and the majority of the team are not Americans so I am sure they could care less about messy US politics, I wish the critics out there would focus on that and leave them out of this.
Jason Mackey
2:06
I get what you're saying. Tough to avoid, though, with the history of going to the White House and our current political climate. I understand why it irks some that they're going. The only thing I openly disagree with is people crushing Crosby because he hasn't turned this into some sort of social soapbox.
guest
2:06
will you be a regular guest on the radio this Penguin season on 93.7?
Jason Mackey
2:07
I will. Or at least I'm under the understanding I will. Doing an hour in studio with the Morning Show next Wednesday. Cook and Poni don't have me on. On Starkey and Mueller sometimes. Zeise, too. You'll hear me. Sorry in advance.
Pens Chicago
2:07
Is a trade still likely for a 3C or is McKegg the de facto 3C to begin the season?
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