Kunitz isn't really a role player though and the argument can be made that neither is Dupuis. Both have scored 20 goals or more the last two season. I look at it this way. Do you keep the first line together thereby forcing a player onto the second into a position he has never played. Also putting them on the backhand side, eliminating the ability to easily take passes and hit one timers.
Or do you drop the guy from the first line that has filled in extremely well in the past on the second and move second liner up to the first and put him in his natural position. It's pretty simple as far as I'm concerned. But Bylsma is determined not to do that. Keeping the first line intact while damaging the second line is just asinine. But again, Bylsma thinks that the talent level is enough to overcome little things like positions.