Welcome to our series on who wore each number best for the Penguins.
The idea is being openly borrowed from our new hockey writer, Cody Tucker, and his project at the Lansing State Journal covering all the uniform numbers worn through Michigan State football history, one that’s been well received by their readers and prompted heavy discussion and debate.
Under my organization, and following the voting of a big chunk of our staff, we’ll publish one new one each day until completion, which should be right around the start of training camp.
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Name: Chris Kunitz
Number: 14
Position: Left Wing
Born: September 26, 1979 in Regina, Saskatchewan
Seasons with Penguins: 2009-17
Statistics with Penguins: 569 games, 169 goals, 219 assists in regular season; 126 games, 23 goals, 53 assists in playoffs
WHY KUNITZ?
Chris Kunitz has four Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal on his resume -- not bad for a guy who went undrafted.
Kunitz left the Penguins 13th all-time in points in franchise history, and no player has won more Stanley Cups with the Penguins than Kunitz, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Kris Letang. Those, combined with his first Stanley Cup in Anaheim in 2007, make him the only active NHL player with four Stanley Cups.
The Penguins acquired Kunitz (along with Eric Tangradi) on Feb. 26, 2009, in a move that sent Ryan Whitney to Anaheim.
Kunitz had a number of memorable moments with the Penguins over his nine years in Pittsburgh, but one of the biggest happened in one of his final games. His 2017 Eastern Conference Final Game 7 double-overtime goal sent the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final and gave them the chance to win the Stanley Cup for the second straight year.
Kunitz's last regular-season goal with the Penguins came on Feb. 16, 2017, and it was a memorable one. Crosby picked up career point No. 1000 with an assist. It was the 186th time that the two had both gotten points on a goal.
WHAT'S HE DOING NOW?
Kunitz spent the 2017-18 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He contributed 13 goals and 16 assists during the regular season, and only one assist in 17 games during Tampa's run to the Eastern Conference Final.
When he returned to Pittsburgh with the Lightning in November, the Penguins honored him with a tribute video.
General manager Steve Yzerman announced at the NHL Draft that they will not be offering Kunitz a contract for next season, and on the opening day of free agency, Kunitz signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks worth $1 million.
IT WAS SPOKEN
“Unbelievable to be a part of. It’s kinda sad that it’s over, but it’s nice we capture something like this and be part of a winning group forever.” -- Kunitz after winning the Stanley Cup in 2017.
HONORABLE MENTIONS AT NO.14
Stu Barnes
Gordie Roberts
Milan Kraft
Any debate?
This one was easy. No.
Not only was Kunitz around for three Stanley Cups, he was a key contributor in each of those runs.
Tomorrow: Bradford has No. 15.
Yesterday: Bill Guerin
