Pens Winger Chris Kunitz Says Team Has A Recipe For Success
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)- Pittsburgh Penguins Winger Chis Kunitz joined the Cook and Poni Show on Wednesday on the eve of the 2015 season opener against Anaheim Thursday night at the CONSOL Energy Center.
Kunitz said this has been a different camp because of so many new faces, including new coach Mike Johnston who will make his debut with the Pens tomorrow night.
"It's been good so far. It's brought a new excitement and a new level of awareness to make sure you are trying to prove yourself every single day and not just going out and having the same routine," Kunitz said. "Change brings something different and we have to take a positive outlook and I think we have a lot of guys trying to put their best foot forward every single time they go on the ice and trying to impress the coaches with something they are doing every day."
Kunitz will once again be on the Pens top line with Captain Sidney Crosby and newcomer Patric Hornqvist. He says the line has not had many reps together yet because of injuries but he expects them to come together quickly and get the chemistry going.
He also admitted to us that having Evgeni Malkin being out for most of camp was a concern, but they know what he can do when he is healthy. Kunitz says Malkin looked like the old Geno out on the ice Wednesday and there's a good chance he will make the start tomorrow night in the opener.
Kunitz said it was tough to lose leaders on the team like Brooks Orpik, but says with the mix of players, it should be enough to make them a Stanley Cup contending team.
"We have players coming in that are bringing energy that excites the lineup and the guys. We have guys coming in from different teams excited to play with some of the best players in the world and to show what they can do," Kunitz said. "We have everybody trying to prove something to somebody and I think when you have that you are going to have a receipe for success."
Kunitz says that starts Thursday night in front of the home fans for the first time this year. He says the fans may get an early glimpse as to some of the new style this team wants to play, but they are excited to be getting back out there and feed off the fans energy.
"With different styles come different outcomes and we are still learning the system but hopefully it's going to translate into a great game for our fans to watch and hopefully we have a lot of success with it on the ice," Kunitz said.
Listen to the full interview here:
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