Kunitz has been a great servant to the club since he was traded to us in 2009 from Anaheim but he is now 37 and in the last year of his contract worth $3.85m. Kunitz used to grace the top line but with other trades and signings he has seemingly dropped down the pecking order. Management under both Sullivan and previously Bylsma has seemingly given him time to redeem himself in the top six though alongside Crosby and Malkin but his play hasn't warranted, in my opinion, returning there.
Watching Kunitz it is clear that something has gone offensively. His production has fallen from his career best 68 points in 79 games in the 2013-14 season he has fallen to a .5 points per game player with 40 points twice in 2014-15 and 2015-16. So far this year he has just 12 points in 26 games and has been kept off the score sheet in the last 6 straight. He's only got 2 goals this year, the last being on November the 12th against Toronto.
His 5-on-5 play has dropped the most with him currently sitting on 1.57 points per 60 minutes which is the lowest in his career alongside his iCorsi at 12.06 per 60 minutes. There are a couple of individual stats that trend this way relating to production and you could put this down to his line mates but the likes of Kuhnhackl, Sheary and Rust have come into the league and have been able to produce fairly consistently within their roles.
There is still a role for Kunitz on the team as he is still a serviceable player but I'd have him on the 4th line. With the number of young forwards the Penguins have waiting in the wings I would be disappointed if they re-signed him. Sprong and Guentzel need spaces and keeping Kunitz next year would prevent this. Going forward Kunitz needs to improve or else I think we could see the end of him in Pittsburgh.
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