Because the Kunitz Malkin Neal line was by far the best in the NHL before Sid came back. And like i stated before Malink and Neal benefit more from having Kunitz than Crosby and Dupuis do.
- Genev21

Wasn't Neal scoring fairly well last season. He finished with what 18 goals. I know Malkin struggled, but that can't be blamed on them not having Kunitz.

Kunitz Crosby and Dupuis is the best line in hockey. Why are even considering breaking it up right now?

Put Bennett with Malkin and Neal, and actually give him a chance there and see what happens. If it isn't clicking try Jokinen. Pulling Kunitz from Crosby should be a last straw answer.

Although jokinen had a good game last week, Bennett still gets the 2nd line job.
The kid is still developing and being stuck on a 3rd line in a defensive role is not what he needs

Although jokinen had a good game last week, Bennett still gets the 2nd line job.
The kid is still developing and being stuck on a 3rd line in a defensive role is not what he needs
- drummer829

Plus Jokinen and Sutter have chemistry.

Secondly, we really don't know just how well a neal, bennett, malkin like will be for a length of time. Last season malkin may have struggled (or the line may have not been "unstoppable" because of the wing carousel position given to 30 different players. Bennett seems like a good fit if he is more of a play maker on that line. Remember.. Neal and Malkin have excellent shots. Also, Bennett is physical.

Bennett seems like a good fit if he is more of a play maker on that line. Remember.. Neal and Malkin have excellent shots. Also, Bennett is physical.
- IronCity

NO! It has to be Kunitz. The masses have spoken. This team will only have success if Kunitz is taken off Crosby's line. Because it is logical.

This message is brought to with sarcasm intended.

If he is soo good then why not put him with the 3rd line to give them speed and grit and scoring chances as well as winger being defensive minded and put bennett with sid to let him grow... after one game everyone is on jussi to play top 6...

people around here jump left and right to not make waves and go up against the guys that have been in this board longer... if you have an opinion it is not welcomed here in this board anymore....

im not throwing out stupid trades or trying to get players we can't. I am making reasonable suggestions from what I see....

people want to live in th past and talk about sid dupes kuni but everyone forgets about kuni neal geno or how geno and neal havent done anything since kuni went back up... he is/was a crucial piece to having that line click.... but god forbid u try to break up the sid kuni dupes line... bc they did soo great in playoffs... er im sorry 2 yrs ago....
- nh4442

Your dislike for Dupuis amazes me.

Dupuis for Bryzgalov, book it.

Crosby plays with Kunitz and Duper because the line has amazing chemistry. Kunitz had amazing chemistry with Malkin as well... but push comes to shove, like it or not, Crosby is going to get what he wants. Kunitz with either one would be good. Anyone who thinks Duper should play on the 3rd line is foolish. Its not a matter of line mates, as he has played well whereever he is placed, it's a matter of ice time. Duper has been our top clutch player for 2 years now. I'm for either Bennett or Jokinen on the top 6... both have made a solid case this preseason. Too bad their ain't another Kunitz. Where is Michael Keaton when you need him.... Also... it seems like Biron might be the man out in NY. If so... Jump on it!
- ChrisMS

OMG, I rarely agree with you on anything, but we are on the same page with everything on this post. A star for you today ...

Are we really still having this Kunitz debate? We haven't even had 1 regular season game to see what the lines look like.

Did anyone even think about the fact that the lines are going to be jumbled anyway? Seriously...have you? I expect that especially after penalties.

I don't see Duper leaving Crosby's line permanently. He can play on any line but he's worked for where he is and until Bennett blows the coaches away it's probably Duper's spot to keep. Kunitz is staying put too.

Duper is one of our more important PK guys. Has been for awhile. He's very good at it. The way this team takes penalties he'll be spending time working the PK often. Bennett, Kunitz and Jokinen will be shifted in on lines to even things out.

I doesn't take a genius to realize there's a hole on the PK with Cooke gone. That hole will have to be filled and it's only reasonable to believe Duper will be a big part of that. That's just a no brainer. Crosby and Vitale will get time out there too.

We can argue all day about who should play with who. The point is: we have some very nice possibilities no matter what. I fully expect Bennett to play with both Crosby, Malkin and Sutter at times and be highly effective doing so. Jokinen will probably shift between Malkin and Sutter. He will be effective with that as well.

Wasn't Neal scoring fairly well last season. He finished with what 18 goals. I know Malkin struggled, but that can't be blamed on them not having Kunitz.

Kunitz Crosby and Dupuis is the best line in hockey. Why are even considering breaking it up right now?

Put Bennett with Malkin and Neal, and actually give him a chance there and see what happens. If it isn't clicking try Jokinen. Pulling Kunitz from Crosby should be a last straw answer.
- Ben37

Not only last season, but go back to pre-concussion Sid in 2010-11... Before the winter classic, that line was again the best line in hockey by far.

Yes, Kunitz played well with Geno and Neal, but Geno and Neal both got their career seasons started while playing with Steve Sullivan. Bennett will be fine there.


Crosby stays with Kunitz and Dupuis.... and no matter how many times some people say that shouldn't be the case, it's not going to change, so what's the point of getting hung up on it.

Wow, you would think the Penguins were in 9th place fighting for a playoff spot with how heated it is in here. People need to relax. The season hasn't started yet.

Not only last season, but go back to pre-concussion Sid in 2010-11... Before the winter classic, that line was again the best line in hockey by far.

Yes, Kunitz played well with Geno and Neal, but Geno and Neal both got their career seasons started while playing with Steve Sullivan. Bennett will be fine there.


Crosby stays with Kunitz and Dupuis.... and no matter how many times some people say that shouldn't be the case, it's not going to change, so what's the point of getting hung up on it.
- rival22

There isn't one at all, like you said. Bennett is already doing exactly what he should: play so well that you can't be ignored. It's only a matter of time before he is playing on the top line. If he stays with Malkin and Neal then that's fine. For now, we have plenty to be happy about. Jokinen showing some punch with the 2nd line adds to that.

Kunitz and Dupuis are where they should be...for now.

Wow, you would think the Penguins were in 9th place fighting for a playoff spot with how heated it is in here. People need to relax. The season hasn't started yet.
- cap1681

The Duper 3rd line converasation is typical in here. Always happens.

This will lighten things up



David Clarkson really put his new team in a rough spot to start the season.

This will lighten things up


- rival22

Kessel should be suspended for that.

This will lighten things up



David Clarkson really put his new team in a rough spot to start the season.
- rival22

Kessel gained my respect very, very briefly when he won his bout, but after poking the bear(John Scott) and then two handing a guy right there...that ended.

So stupid. Worse than Clarkson IMO but the league has it's rules and Clarkson broke a big one.

Kessel gained my respect very, very briefly when he won his bout, but after poking the bear(John Scott) and then two handing a guy right there...that ended.

So stupid. Worse than Clarkson IMO but the league has it's rules and Clarkson broke a big one.

- HopintheCordoba

Clarkson really made a stupid decision... Kessel was going to whack and just skate away anyhow... It would have been really fun to watch John Scott skating around trying to catch Kessel. Throw in some Benny Hill music and replay it over and over again lol

Kessel should be suspended for that.
- cap1681

The first one was fine, the second one, well not so much.

That whole situation was a perfect storm of idiocy.

Clarkson really made a stupid decision... Kessel was going to whack and just skate away anyhow... It would have been really fun to watch John Scott skating around trying to catch Kessel. Throw in some Benny Hill music and replay it over and over again lol
- rival22

He shouldn't have kept swinging, but honestly I can't be too outraged at Kessel. I'd rather have my star player face suspension than injury at the hands of facepuncher the mighty.

The first one was fine, the second one, well not so much.

That whole situation was a perfect storm of idiocy.
- Ryan_Wilson

I'm sure Shanahan never thought he'd be THIS busy already.

He shouldn't have kept swinging, but honestly I can't be too outraged at Kessel. I'd rather have my star player face suspension than injury at the hands of facepuncher the mighty.
- BulliesPhan87

He was away from it when he swung though. That's the problem. Scott basically got gangtackled and he hacked at him when he went down. The first time may be no big deal but the second time is unacceptable.

Fantastic nickname

He shouldn't have kept swinging, but honestly I can't be too outraged at Kessel. I'd rather have my star player face suspension than injury at the hands of facepuncher the mighty.
- BulliesPhan87

I can't agree more. If I was in that same situation with a man who is paid to fight and is 6"8 and I have a weapon in my hand I'm using it. The stuff after that is where Kessel looked like a fool.

You know what really appeases the leader, stanley cups and moving kunitz with malkin creates the 1a, 1b lines people keep saying the pens already have. Malkin and neal have shown they can be stopped when they don't have kunitz in there but when kunitz was with them there wasn't a team in the nhl even slowing them down. And obviously a bennett crosby dupuis line would be a top 1st line pairing in the nhl.
- Genev21

actually there isn't anything obvious about it. crosby without kunitz is a downgrade. Bennett has had a decent preseason but nothing to suggest he could replace kunitz on the first line. I understand people being excited about this young man but penciling him in on the top line is just idealistic. Its like a child with a new toy... not always the best toy, but it is shiny and new.

actually there isn't anything obvious about it. crosby without kunitz is a downgrade. Bennett has had a decent preseason but nothing to suggest he could replace kunitz on the first line. I understand people being excited about this young man but penciling him in on the top line is just idealistic. Its like a child with a new toy... not always the best toy, but it is shiny and new.
- ChrisMS

Actually, he has done a lot to prove that. I am not too worried about who is on Crosby's wing. He scored 25 points in 15 games at the end of 2012 with Tyler freaking Kennedy on his wing.