Confirmed with Link: Lightning sign L Chris Kunitz (1 year, $2M AAV)

[chasespace]

Shattenkirk never wanted be here. That's exactly why the Girardi rumors came up a few days back

Plan B. That's Girardi's nickname now;

Plan G. I can dig it.

 

[Maelmoor]

Not thrilled with this but I'm fine with Kunitz, just one year deal and will provide us some depth, if he can get some scoring done on the third line then it's an improvement over Brown or Paquette.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

I wouldn't even mind the signing if we all didn't JUST KNOW we're going to have a rookie sitting in the pressbox, watching Kunitz contribute little to nothing. I don't mind spending money on him, especially if we weren't a realistic destination for some of the guys I'd rather have (Markov, Marleau). Doesn't hurt to spend the money somewhere. I just feel like my head's going to explode when Adam Erne's serving popcorn for the sake of this contract.

My fear as well. We'll just have to see what happens when the skates hit the ice.

 

[The Gongshow]

At least if anyone tries to go after Stamkos or Kuch he'll fight them

 

[HoseEmDown]

I wouldn't even mind the signing if we all didn't JUST KNOW we're going to have a rookie sitting in the pressbox, watching Kunitz contribute little to nothing. I don't mind spending money on him, especially if we weren't a realistic destination for some of the guys I'd rather have (Markov, Marleau). Doesn't hurt to spend the money somewhere. I just feel like my head's going to explode when Adam Erne's serving popcorn for the sake of this contract.

Erne is waiver exempt, he won't be in the pressbox unless it's just a game or two, he'll be in Syracuse on the top line if he's not playing for the lightning.

 

[Whale Mingo]

Pens fan point of view:

Kunitz is still a serviceable bottom 6 player that knows how to come up big in big games. Not only did he score the game winner against Ottawa to send the Pens to the Final, he played a huge part in the Cup winning goal along with scoring 6 points in the Final.

He'll frustrate you some nights, but most players do. It's not his fault he was asked to play a position in Pittsburgh (top 6) a lot of nights that he just isn't able to play anymore. That was mostly because of injuries and we had no other/better options.

Used correctly, this will be a guy you will be glad is on your team. Good luck to him going forward.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Pens fan point of view:

Kunitz is still a serviceable bottom 6 player that knows how to come up big in big games. Not only did he score the game winner against Ottawa to send the Pens to the Final, he played a huge part in the Cup winning goal along with scoring 6 points in the Final.

He'll frustrate you some nights, but most players do. It's not his fault he was asked to play a position in Pittsburgh (top 6) a lot of nights that he just isn't able to play anymore. That was mostly because of injuries and we had no other/better options.

Used correctly, this will be a guy you will be glad is on your team. Good luck to him going forward.

I always hated him but he's always struck me as a guy you love to have on your team but hate when your team plays against him. He's going to be 38 soon though. Don't know how much he has left in the tank.

 

[Whale Mingo]

I always hated him but he's always struck me as a guy you love to have on your team but hate when your team plays against him. He's going to be 38 soon though. Don't know how much he has left in the tank.

Being 38 will be an issue, but it won't affect things like his leadership ability, how good he is in the locker room and, most importantly, his hockey IQ. The guy knows how to win, it's hard to simply stumble your way into having your name on the Cup four different times.

He got more money than I thought he would for sure, but he's not going to hurt your team if he's used correctly.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Kunitz is excited to join the Lightning (link includes video interview): https://www.nhl.com/news/chris-kunitz-introduced-by-tampa-bay-lightning/c-290381876

We're really looking forward to turning another page to our career and we believe that the Lightning have an unbelievable chance to win a Stanley Cup, and that's the reason why we came here.

I guess we refers to his family or him and his agent ... or does he have a split personality?

 

[3074326]

He was looking for a house for his family so they could get settled in and the kids could be in school, I believe.

I love Chris Kunitz the guy. Seems like a great human being and I wish him the best. He is not a top 6 option anymore and you will be frustrated with him if the coach puts him up there. He is a fine 4th liner at this point, but if you want offense out of your third line.... don't put him there either.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

He was looking for a house for his family so they could get settled in and the kids could be in school, I believe.

I love Chris Kunitz the guy. Seems like a great human being and I wish him the best. He is not a top 6 option anymore and you will be frustrated with him if the coach puts him up there. He is a fine 4th liner at this point, but if you want offense out of your third line.... don't put him there either.

Hopefully Coop won't. He did staple Brendan Morrow to the 4th line in our SCF season.

 

[TeslaCoilFan]

I'm actually starting to get excited about this acquisition. The interviews Kunitz has been giving have been really positive. He actually seems eager to play for the Lightning, thinks we're a true top contender for the SC and wants to win another ring with us.

Even if he's mostly 4th line, he can move up or back down the lines if needed due to injuries. We could use some grit and edge since Boyle left in addition to a whole willingness to work hard attitude that some of our more complacent forwards could definitely benefit from adopting. If he can help us have a few less of those "ah, this game isn't important at this time of the year, we can always catch up" slacking off in the first half of the season, he'll be more than worth the money.

 

[CupsOverCash]

I liked his interview. He sounds like a good guy and still sounds motivated to win. I just question how much he still has in the tank. Hopefully he can provide some depth scoring we have been needing.

 

[Maelmoor]

Since it's just a year I don't see how pepole can be upset about this deal, as I said Before, if he can provide some scoring from the third line he is an upgrade over players like Brown or Paquette.

 

[Werewolf]

Kunitz as a 4th line option is great. A Kunitz, Dumont, Paquette fourth line should be effective and can play shutdown role and take defensive faceoffs from both sides of the ice. The player that this affects the most is Brown which I don't expect back again. It also affects Condra but I think it's clear that he is the Syracuse captain and a bottom line NHL call-up. We have not re-signed McGinn nor Bournival and they were both qualified RFAs. Erne could very well be a top line option and take McGinn's spot on the Syracuse top line with Peca and Condra. This signing won't affect the youth at all as it is a short term contract. Erne could use one more year in the AHL to round out his game in a top line, all situations role and be the lead PF on his line.

With the forward depth we have, should not see Kunitz in a top 6 role at all. Great signing here in my opinion.

 

[Byrddog]

Been a couple weeks and I still want to throw up.