Ryan Wilson: Bringing back Chris Kunitz Bringing back Chris Kunitz

I'm still surprised they didn't do this last offseason.

Letting Kunitz go made sense to me at the time. We needed to save some cap for Cullen and $2M would have been a lot for a 4th liner. Plus I really think it made sense for JR to not have too many 35+ guys on the roster.

Bringing him back this year could make a little sense but I am always wearing of the "getting the band back together" mindset. If he ends up blocking a talented young player like Sprong, its not worth it.

Oh and of course, he was a whipping boy for 2 years here so I wonder how long it would take for ppl to turn on him and his lack of hands again :-D

Letting Kunitz go made sense to me at the time. We needed to save some cap for Cullen and $2M would have been a lot for a 4th liner. Plus I really think it made sense for JR to not have too many 35+ guys on the roster.

Bringing him back this year could make a little sense but I am always wearing of the "getting the band back together" mindset. If he ends up blocking a talented young player like Sprong, its not worth it.

Oh and of course, he was a whipping boy for 2 years here so I wonder how long it would take for ppl to turn on him and his lack of hands again :-D
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If he's on the 4th line making around $1M or so, he won't be the whipping boy. It's when you're getting paid top-6 money and producing like a 4th liner that you become the whipping boy.

Also, he and Sprong won't be (directly) competing for the same spot, so I don't see an issue there.

I wouldn't be upset if the Lightning resigned him for another year on a similar deal. He seems to have some gas left in the tank for a bottom six role. He's slowed down some, but he's still a tricky player who keeps opponents honest.

If he's on the 4th line making around $1M or so, he won't be the whipping boy. It's when you're getting paid top-6 money and producing like a 4th liner that you become the whipping boy.

Also, he and Sprong won't be (directly) competing for the same spot, so I don't see an issue there.
- jmatchett383

Fair enough. And actually, Sully seems to love ZAR so I doubt he'd scratch him.

Sully would find a way to put him on the first line.

Some discussion on Twitter about Tom Wilson being a RFA haha.

For poops and gigs...would pens fans burn the city to the ground or immediately become a fan favorite?

Some discussion on Twitter about Tom Wilson being a RFA haha.

For poops and gigs...would pens fans burn the city to the ground or immediately become a fan favorite?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Why not both?

Some discussion on Twitter about Tom Wilson being a RFA haha.

For poops and gigs...would pens fans burn the city to the ground or immediately become a fan favorite?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

His hit on dumoulin was a huge factor in the series. We lost our best all around dman for a little bit and they lost a goon with no skill. The dude doesn’t deserve anything

His hit on dumoulin was a huge factor in the series. We lost our best all around dman for a bit and a solid depth player and the capitals lost a goon with no skill. The dude doesn’t deserve anything
- drummer829

Def be a fan favorite but he's going to get a nice payday and won't be affordable

wait...I thought this was the caps blog

wait...I thought this was the caps blog
- YuenglingJagr

RW is the new Garth

wait...I thought this was the caps blog
- YuenglingJagr

Actually, its the Sabres blog ;-)

Bring him back!

Bring him back!
- Rinosaur

i think Kunitz for 1 yr would be a great signing. he knows the team, the personalities, the coaching staff, still has a home here. its an easy fit. i like kunhackl but his #s were terrible last yr.

I felt Kunitz was an unreplaceable piece. Proved to be certainly a guy that they missed. A lot to be said for guys that can work up and down the line up and in the room as well.

Yes to a return at a mill

Kunitz at 1 mil any day. He's still fast, he still hits, he still has a shot (just not as quick a release), he can still put up 10-15 goals and he's actually a core member of 3 pens cups.

Voynov is eyeing NHL return. The dudes skill is undeniable. He's also a right handed shot that should be able to play top 4 minutes if someone goes down. And, he's only 28. I'd love to see the pens target him at a reasonable deal to start off on the bottom pairing with Oleksiak.

I felt Kunitz was an unreplaceable piece. Proved to be certainly a guy that they missed. A lot to be said for guys that can work up and down the line up and in the room as well.

Yes to a return at a mill
- Doogs

If the pens had the space kunitz and voynov would be my two main targets. Obviously, someone like Sheary would need moved. But, this lineup would look pretty nice.

Guentzel, Sid, Sprong
Hags, Malkin, Hornquist
Rust, Brassard, Kessel
Kunitz, Sheahan, ZAR
Don't care?
Dumo, Letang
Maata, Schultz
Oleksiak, Voynov
Don't care?

Voynov is eyeing NHL return. The dudes skill is undeniable. He's also a right handed shot that should be able to play top 4 minutes if someone goes down. And, he's only 28. I'd love to see the pens target him at a reasonable deal to start off on the bottom pairing with Oleksiak.
- cranktheradio

Yeah lets get the bum who beat the crap out of his wife and got deported!

Yes to Kuni on a team friendly deal. Be funny seeing him get beat up on here when he plays a little top line tango with his old buddy Sid.

Big no to Voynov. Principles in life are more important than sport.

RW is the new Garth
- jmatchett383

Garth has some serious Evander love happening. I wonder.............