Confirmed with Link: Penguins sign Chris Kunitz to 3 year extension ($3.85M AAV)

[Bennett Brauer]

Dave Molinari ‏@MolinariPG
Penguins have agreed to a three-year contract extension with LW Chris Kunitz.

https://twitter.com/MolinariPG/status/350227911082651649

Dave Molinari ‏@MolinariPG
Person familiar with Kunitz deal says his salary will be "a bit more than current but less than $4 million" against salary cap.

https://twitter.com/MolinariPG/status/350228229812006912

Dave Molinari ‏@MolinariPG
Cap hit for Kunitz's new contract will be $3.85 million.

https://twitter.com/MolinariPG/status/350230429690892288

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[WVP]

Did not see that coming!

Glad to have him here. We know he works with both centers and he's a perfect fit as the 3rd wheel with Neal and Bennett as the primary wingers.

 

[Oxide]

Good deal.

 

[deakka]

i guess its nice.

Cant help feeling we have more pressing matters to attend to tho. This could surely have waited a week or two.

 

[Bennett Brauer]

I read that they were keeping Kunitz in mind while negotiating with Cooke and Dupuis about term. For both Dupuis and Cooke, term is more important than money, so maybe Shero can re-sign them on 3 year deals also.

 

[ColePens]

I swear this already happened for some reason. For that price and what wingers are getting - ****ing rights. I love it.

 

[Uncle Machete]

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=675429&navid=DL|PIT|home

Cap hit of $3.85 million. Great deal.

 

[BilldaCat]

i guess its nice.

Cant help feeling we have more pressing matters to attend to tho. This could surely have waited a week or two.

yes, you should only ever negotiate with one player at a time.

 

[Malkinburgh]

Great deal.

 

[Koempel]

Cannot complain for that salary

 

[BumFortyOne]

Fantastic deal. Kunitz stood to make quite a bit more in free agency next summer if he kept up a similar pace to the past two years. Especially with the cap likely going back up after the upcoming season. And we know that he is a solid complement for either Crosby or Malkin as (hopefully) the third wheel on either line.

 

[Dupree13]

Not bad though don't know if he can keep up his current performance level for 4 more years. But you have to think this plays in to the Dupuis talks in some way. Pressure him to take 3 years also?

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Really can't complain with this deal, well done Shero!

 

[Will Hunting]

Well, I would prefer 2 years term, but cap hit is very solid for us.

 

[Bennett Brauer]

Not bad though don't know if he can keep up his current performance level for 4 more years. But you have to think this plays in to the Dupuis talks in some way. Pressure him to take 3 years also?

I don't think it would be pressure, probably makes the negotiations easier. It's been noted that Shero doesn't like signing players in their mid 30's to a contract more than 2 years. Dupuis and Cooke want term, offering them 3 year deals instead of 2 could be more enticing for them.

 

[chethejet]

I would have preferred for management to see what he has left after the current contract expired. He is 34 and that is when things may start breaking down. I believe he had one more year and I would have waited. Even if he had a very good year, the question is who would sign him for three more years for more money than that anyway. Shero lost some major points with me extending Bylsma. This was IMHO a questionable move at this point. Plus with out Crosby he clearly isn't someone who elevated his game.

 

[WVP]

i guess its nice.

Cant help feeling we have more pressing matters to attend to tho. This could surely have waited a week or two.

Huh? We know that he's talking to Cooke, Letang and Dupuis. And he just qualified our RFA's.

Please don't act like Shero's sitting on his ass unless Rossi is reporting that he's not.

 

[AZPenguins]

yes, you should only ever negotiate with one player at a time.

That is what I was thinking. Ray is just sitting around waiting for Letang!

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

I would have preferred for management to see what he has left after the current contract expired. He is 34 and that is when things may start breaking down. I believe he had one more year and I would have waited. Even if he had a very good year, the question is who would sign him for three more years for more money than that anyway. Shero lost some major points with me extending Bylsma. This was IMHO a questionable move at this point. Plus with out Crosby he clearly isn't someone who elevated his game.

At under 4 million cap hit Chris Kunitz easily movable if needed to. He would bring back something decent as well(if we have to go there)

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

yes, you should only ever negotiate with one player at a time.

Why? Why not make an offer to all of them (cap friendly) and see who is on board and who is not? We know he met with Letang and Dupuis as well, so I'm sure he made offers and is waiting for them to answer.

 

[AZPenguins]

I would have preferred for management to see what he has left after the current contract expired. He is 34 and that is when things may start breaking down. I believe he had one more year and I would have waited. Even if he had a very good year, the question is who would sign him for three more years for more money than that anyway. Shero lost some major points with me extending Bylsma. This was IMHO a questionable move at this point. Plus with out Crosby he clearly isn't someone who elevated his game.

Did you see what he did playing with Geno? He works GREAT with either center. Tie him up now at a great price or wait? Glad to see GMRS got this one nailed down.

Why? Why not make an offer to all of them (cap friendly) and see who is on board and who is not? We know he met with Letang and Dupuis as well, so I'm sure he made offers and is waiting for them to answer.

Pretty sure his comment was sarcasm to the post he quoted.

 

[Dupree13]

I actually don't like this move at all. Like Kunitz but how was this necessary at all? Just wait a year and go from there, maybe try to get him for 2 years. It was hardly imperative for Shero to lock him up past his 37th birthday.

 

[Shady Machine]

Great caphit. A bit concerned about term. He's 33 right now so he would be 37 when the deal expires. If the cap continues to rise, it should even out as he can be an effective 3rd liner near the end of the deal if health becomes an issue. Overall, great deal. Now we effectively have 5 of our top 6 pieces locked up for 4 more years:

Kunitz-Crosby-Bennett
xxx-Malkin-Neal

Great place to start. Now I hope they let Duper walk and bring in another body to shake things up. Re-sign Cooke or go after Clutterbuck.

 

[Dr Frasier Crane]

Quick question and then I'll descend back to my lair: is this considered a 35+ contract since it kicks in when he's 35 (presumably - I haven't looked up his birthday or anything). Or since the extension was signed when he's 34, do we avoid that? May explain them getting it done ahead of time.

EDIT: nevermind, he's 33. Anyway, great cap-hit which was probably in return for an extra year. I'm fine with this.

 

[Waffle Fries]

I just don't see why this was necessary really.