Without Kessel on that 3rd line or smoeone of similar skill, PITs offense is a lot easier to contain.

Spreading money around and spreading talent around aren't the same thing. That team as constructed isn't winning anything.

I really like Kühnhackl, I think he's a gritty player who has done everything ever asked of him. He's always blocked the shots, played well on the PK, grinded out the 4th line minutes.
But I also don't see him back next year. If he is it's as the 13th forward.

Furthermore, no one is going to sit ZAR on the bench as a 13th forward. He's too good of a player to ride the pine. He proved that last year. He will most likely be on our 3rd line next year.