Pensburgh wrapup: Chris Kunitz
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 1, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
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"Write your injuries in dust, your benefits in marble." - Benjamin Franklin
Season stats: 50 gp, 13g, 19a, 32p, +3, 39 PIMs
Playoff stats: 13 gp, 4g, 7a, 11p, +3, 8 PIMs
Month-by-month Pensburgh grades:
October: B+
November: I
December: B+
January: I
February: B
March: B-
Playoff: B+
Contract status: Signed through 2011-12 season ($3,725,000 cap hit)...Unrestricted free agent summer 2012
Interesting stat: Over 107 regular and playoff games as a Penguin, Chris Kunitz has 75 points (.70 points/game). Over the rest of his NHL career he has 208 points in 352 games (.59 points/game).
The Good: While in the lineup, Kunitz has proven to be a valuable member of the first line. He forechecks hard, hits people down low, fishes out pucks in the corners but is also under-rated when it comes to dishing passes in open ice.
Staying in the lineup has been a problem; he missed the final four games of regular season (though he played all 13 of the playoff games) itwas revealed that Kunitz had a torn groin down the stretch. Despite that, he played admirably and still produced points at the same pace as last post-season.
The Not-so-good: Dating back to last playoffs and the start of the 2009-10 season, Kunitz scored exactly 1 goal in 35 games, drawing the ire of some fans. Durability and staying in the lineup has been problematic too, Kunitz missed 13 games in December/January for a lower body injury and then 15 more in February/March when he had abdominal surgery. Playing a rough style has gotten Kunitz into the NHL, but it's also taken it's toll and he hasn't been able to stay in the lineup every night.
Final verdict: When Kunitz plays, he's valuable. He might not have the best hands in terms of sniping goals, but he clears a lot of room for Sidney Crosby to be able to operate. At $3.725 million of cap room, Kunitz might be dragging a little too much cap space for his total value to the team on the ice, but there's no doubt he's proven to be a reliable scoring forward for the Penguins.
Question and Discussion: Penciled in on Crosby's line next season, what do you expect from Kunitz? His groin and shoulder should be about 100%, what do you hope he can do with what'll hopefully be his first full season of work with the Penguins?
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Hopefully he can stay fit and play a full season, if so a 20+ goal season should be more than achievable, Kunitz is a vital cog in the Pens machine IMO.
Don't write cheques with your mouth that your body can't cash
Agreed
While he’s a little overpaid, if he can stay healthy then he’ll earn that cash.
by Mario's Mullet on Jun 1, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Over 107 regular and playoff games as a Penguin, Chris Kunitz has 75 points (.70 points/game). Over the rest of his NHL career he has 208 points in 352 games (.59 points/game).
That’s very interesting. I think he’s given a hard time by some Pens fans because of those 35 games where he went with 1 goal. Considering the facts that most of those 75 points have come with limited PP time and that every time he hasn’t produced it turned out he was injured (not sure if he was during last year’s playoffs or not), I think he’s done pretty well for himself. He’s a bit overpaid, but that’s only magnified because of the Pens cap woes.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
Did anyone else think after Eager scored last night that Chicago’s enforcer has a better shot than the Penguins’ first line wings?
Anyways, I expect more from Kunitz next year because he’ll be 100% healthy. However, it’s not acceptable to me to weigh his lack of finishing with his ability to hit people and forecheck. At almost 4 mil a season, he needs to be a regular offensive contributor since. If he can’t do that, I’d advocate trading him.
Pittsburgh sports all the way
Did anyone else think after Eager scored last night that Chicago’s enforcer has a better shot than the Penguins’ first line wings?
It reminded me of one of those wristers Mike Rupp scored — I think against the Rangers.
Just goes to show you that everyone in the NHL can really snipe, if they get the perfect amount of time and maybe a little luck (in the case of guys like Eager and Rupp).
Exactly!
Enforcer or not, every single player (as much as some would like to argue) in the NHL is one talented hockey player. Ok, there are some that are head-scratchers, but you get the idea here!
by Wags24 on Jun 1, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d love to see what Kunitz could do if he stayed healthy for an entire season. I think he could be a 25g 60pt guy. I thought he played very well in the playoffs despite the pulled groin. I think his value is more easily seen come playoff time, than it is in the regular season. I like Kunitz, like what he brings to the team, sure his cap hit might be a little higher than I’d like to see. Then again if hes healthy and nets 20+ goals next year, I think his cap hit will be about right.
When criticizing Kunitz’s contract, remember that it came (with Tangradi) in exchange for Ryan Whitney’s far more ridiculous contract. Plus, he’s one of the best forecheckers in the NHL when healthy.
by phineasfog on Jun 1, 2010 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Interesting stat: Over 107 regular and playoff games as a Penguin, Chris Kunitz has 75 points (.70 points/game). Over the rest of his NHL career he has 208 points in 352 games (.59 points/game)
That’s called: Sidney Crosby.
by Diomedes7 on Jun 1, 2010 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The Penguins need MORE guys like Kunitz — who hustle, win pucks in corners, etc.
Translation: Not the Ukranians.
by Diomedes7 on Jun 1, 2010 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Ya, that’s about right. Grinders, people, GRINDERS!! Can’t go wrong with grinders as players or the tasty sandwich. You can hate on Holmstrom, or to another extreme, Avery all you want, but that’s the kind of player that can turn a game real quick by getting the other team’s goalie of kilter or by creating a power play once he pisses of the opposition enough. Hell, they may even steal a puck and toss it in the garbage every now and then!
bugsy. =(
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
by katielynn906 on Jun 1, 2010 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
So…what does everyone think about Chris Pronger stealing the game pucks from the United Center? I love how he said he threw the pucks in the garbage, where they belonged. Kind of like Philadelphia’s Stanley Cup hopes and dreams, right Chris? I can’t think of a descriptive adjective for Captain Elbows I could use on this blog without getting yelled at by Hooks or Frank.
As for Kunitz, I think he’s a good player. I do think the Penguins should invest whatever cap space they have left over at the beginning of the regular season in a giant roll of bubble wrap to tie him up in, though. He’s been more than a little injury prone during his tenure as a Penguin.
I’m usually a straight Harvest Cheddar kind of girl, but I’m kind of digging the Garden Salsa right now.
mmmmmm sun chips. the original kind is my favorite.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE OR JUST THE HART. THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
I didn’t know that about Pronger – ha ha. Can you imagne? “Hey put that puck back, its not yours” – “Why I outta”…… LOL Saturday night live could have fun with that skit
Who’s really gonna demand it back from him though? I certainly wouldn’t want to. The whole thing had me laughing for a good while.
I would. He may have seven inches and over one hundred pounds on me (I’m a girl), but I’ve gone toe-to-toe with men much larger than I am and not flinched. It’s why God invented the stiletto heel. Of course, Chris Pronger would know all about using a sharp, pointy object attached to one’s foot to injure another person. I really hate that guy. The way he speaks to the media is appalling. I mean, I hate the main stream hockey media because the majority of them are classless goons, but that doesn’t mean you have to stoop to their level. He has such a horrible attitude problem.
Gone to a phillies game lately? Get drunk get high get tasered
by katie300 on Jun 2, 2010 8:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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