Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: #5
Coming in at number five on our list is Chris Kunitz of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kunitz gets a bad reputation because he spends a lot of time playing with Sidney Crosby. Playing with Crosby is a great way to inflate your numbers because Crosby has the tendency to make players look better than they actually are.
That said, Kunitz has developed impressive chemistry with Crosby. Though I would still call Kunitz a “passenger” since Crosby’s clearly in the driver’s seat on the first forward line, Kunitz is at worst a very efficient passenger. The type of passenger who has good taste in music and gives you good conversation while you’re driving. Maybe he hands you a coffee or a Red Bull if you’re getting tired.
Kunitz has been remarkably consistent over the past three seasons.
- 7th in even strength goals per 60 minutes (0.86)
- 4th in even strength assists per 60 minutes (1.25)
- 5th in even strength points per 60 minutes (2.11)
- 3rd in power play goals per 60 minutes (2.57)
- 4th in on-ice power plays goals for per 60 minutes (9.68)
His possession numbers have also been impressive.
- 3rd in HSCF% Relative (7.36%)
- 4th in SCF% Relative (6.28%)
- 4th in CF% Relative (5.97%)
- 2nd in FenClose% Relative (5.01%)
We can argue all day about whether or not Kunitz is a product of Crosby. I’d lean towards “yes”. There is something to be said for having consistent success with him. To be fair, Crosby can pass Kunitz the puck, but Crosby can’t make Kunitz score goals. Can’t we all just agree that Kunitz is really good at hockey?
Next: #4: Better Czech Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself