DALLAS — About six hours before the start of the NHL Draft, an interesting name surprisingly popped on the market: Chris Kunitz.
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman told reporters here that he did not plan to retain Kunitz, who is 38 years old and just completed a one-year, $2 million contract that included another $1 million on bonuses.
#Bolts GM Steve Yzerman said the team will not being offering Chris Kunitz a contract. Also said Kunitz wants to continue to play and not considering retirement.
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) June 22, 2018
An industry source told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette a few weeks ago that Kunitz would be open to a Pittsburgh return — if, of course, Tampa did offer work for next season.