Hagelin had a bad start for sure. There's a few key differences with Hags and Kunitz though.
1. Hagelin was really good last year.
2. Hagelin is playing well now.
3. Hagelin helps the team even when not scoring.
None of those are true for Kunitz. Hagelin fits the style we play perfectly. Kunitz couldn't fit it much worse. That's not to say we don't need Hagelin to be better than he's been so far. But he's got 4 points in his last 6 games after only having 7 in the 24 before that. I'm hoping he's turning that corner.
My overall thought on Kunitz is that he could probably be somewhat serviceable still if he was playing with Malkin and Rust. But really he's not good enough to justify a top 6 spot, and I just don't think he can be successful in our bottom 6 away from Sid or Geno.
Why couldn't he survive in the bottom six?
He does those things none of the rest do, like at all. Consistently hits which is certainly needed, he provides for the youth that up until last season he was the only guy with experience past the ECF at wing. Teaching these kids how to be a pro, (I know some snarky remarks will surface) Meh, but he wears the A for a reason. These guys will learn things from him, because life as a wing is more then being a stats producer if you want to win. I certainly would rather a guy teach them then learn everything on the fly and have costly mistakes bunch up together and actually cost them a series.
Here is reality that depth helps teams win. It helped them in 2009 when the league was a fast paced game just as it did last season with the same. Those depth scenario's couldn't be more different, though. Back then in 2009 they already had a stalwart bottom six and needed depth in the top six. They added Kunitz and Guerin to Satan, Fedotenko, Dupuis and Sykora.
Three of those guys got put in bottom six roles which created their depth. Only one saw limited action. (Sykora) He had no way of being a good bottom six player, he had no traits to be a bump and grinder.
Now Kunitz is now in that same scenario now that Satan, Dupuis were put in all those years ago. He's the only one, one..... who was a top six. He will not be the reason they win or lose, simply because he does those other things nobody does consistently. He chipped in a little and did the hardnose plays really none of these guys you want to replace him, can do. You do need that element, what Kunitz does in between or even after the whistle.
Like last playoffs, say you have Guentzel, Malkin and Rust. Who's doing the pushing back?
Now that we can safely say, Geno. Is that the guy you want to be doing all the pushing back with his constantly taking penalties? I love that he does it to protect his linemates, but his linemates should be able to help him as well. That line would be taken advantage of even more.
If there was a guy I seriously thought they could do without, even last year, it is Fehr. But how can you discount depth.
Guentzel isn't being stunted or held back, he is doing everything to his abilities and he'll be up here next season fulltime. Sooner then most forwards in recent years. With a full 2 years left on his ELC.
