Penguins Agree to Terms with Forward Chris Kunitz on Three-Year Contract Extension

[Polaris922]

The Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to terms with forward Chris Kunitz on a three-year contract extension, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

The deal begins with the 2014-15 season and runs through the 2016-17 campaign, and has an average annual value of $3.85 million.

Kunitz, 33, enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2012-13, leading the team in both goals (22) and power-play goals (t-9) while ranking second on the team in points (52), rating (plus-30) and game-winning goals (t-5). It was the fifth time – and second-straight season – that he’s topped the 50-point mark and the sixth time he’s tallied 20 goals.

The 6-foot, 193-pound Kunitz became the first Penguins player since 2000 to score four goals in a single game when he accomplished the feat at Washington on Feb. 3. Later in the season he notched a career-best five points (3G-2A) against the NY Islanders on March 10.

Kunitz, who hails from Regina, Saskatchewan, added 10 points (5G-5A) in 15 playoffs games this spring. He tallied the overtime game-winning goal – capping a two-goal, three-point performance – in Game 3 against the NY Islanders in Round 1.

Kunitz established several career highs for the Penguins during the ’11-12 season, scoring 26 goals, 35 points and 61 points to go with six power-play markers in 82 regular-season games.

A key member of the Penguins’ 2009 Stanley Cup championship squad, Kunitz was acquired by the Penguins from the Anaheim Ducks on Feb. 26, 2009. He went on to register 14 points (1G-13A) in 24 playoff contests that year, helping the Penguins defeat the Detroit Red Wings in the Cup Final.

Prior to joining the Penguins Kunitz played four-plus seasons with Anaheim and the Atlanta Thrashers between 2003-09. He was instrumental in helping the Ducks win the Stanley Cup in 2007, scoring six points (1G-5A) in 13 playoff games.

Originally signed by Anaheim as an undrafted free agent on April 1, 2003, Kunitz has appeared in 581 career NHL regular-season games with Pittsburgh, Anaheim and Atlanta, totaling 172 goals, 231 assists and 403 points. He has added 58 points (17G-41A) in 99 playoff games.

Kunitz played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Ferris State from 1999-2003, helping the Bulldogs to the school’s first-ever regular-season championship as a senior. That year, Kunitz was the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s Player of the Year and he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (nation’s best college player).

[B21]

@Polaris922

Smart. Very smart. Assuming another year like 12-13 and he would have commended a lot more on the F/A market.

[mojo1917]

this doesn't hurt the pens situation at all, that salary isn't a killer the term isn't a killer , even if this years output was a positive aberration, that contract is not untradeable and represents fair value for a guy with his skill set.

i think this is a good signing.

[Polaris922]

@B21

@mojo1917

Agree with both of you. He's played very well for us and accepting a lousy $100k per year raise? That's a guy who wants to be where he is and help the team. My respect for Kunitz just rose a notch.

[nossagog]

Talk about minimum raises, great re signing for the Pens.

[jammer2]

This is highway robbery for the Pens, it looks like he actually took a pay cut to stay there. He was worth 5 mill on the open FA market no problem, even discounting last year. If he was to repeat last years totals and then go FA he might have got almost double the salary he took. This is a low risk, high reward kinda thing if I ever saw one.

[hf101]

I know, everyone wants to play with Sid and live in Pittsburgh.

:blink: :wacko:

[Polaris922]

@jammer2

It's a great deal for us.

@hd101

Every player says they're treated great here. I'm thinking Lemieux remembers his player days and wants the players treated first class. That's gotta be a factor.