What appears to be the San Jose Sharks’ last trade chip is now off the board. The Sharks traded Luke Kunin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fourth-round pick, according to NHL insiders.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported just an hour before the trade deadline that the Sharks made a deal for Kunin.
Obviously I meant Blue Jackets, typo! https://t.co/CdHRJjrVFU
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 7, 2025
According to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, who covers the Columbus Blue Jackets, the return for Kunin is a 2025 fourth-round pick.
#CBJ parted with a fourth-round pick in 2025 to acquire Luke Kunin from San Jose. #TheFutureIsTeal.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 7, 2025
Not sure yet if it's CBJ's own pick or the pick they acquired from St. Louis for Alexandre Texier.
That’s lower than what the Sharks were willing to take if it’s true. Earlier this morning, San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng reported that the team was looking for a third-round pick in return.
This is just a guess, but the market likely dried up a bit when the Toronto Maple Leafs made a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers for Scott Laughton. The Maple Leafs sniffed around Kunin last trade deadline and were apparently still interested in him this year. But it never happened and earlier this morning, the team turned to Laughton.
Given how fast and furious trades come as we close in on the deadline, it could be a bit before we have an official word on the trade.
What the Sharks lose in Kunin
Unfortunately for the Sharks, the team is losing one of the leaders in the room. With the trade of Jake Walman, Nico Sturm and now Kunin, there will be a hole in the locker room leadership. Kunin was the guy willing to go out and lay a hit or drop the gloves for a teammate. So far, there haven’t been many other players to step up the way Kunin has.
As for the offense, Kunin isn’t exactly blowing you away with his numbers. As JFresh Hockey reports, Kunin’s WAR (wins above replacement) is 0%. Yikes.
Luke Kunin, acquired by CBJ, is a physical winger who crashes the net and throws hits. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/jL4jjMppd5
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 7, 2025
Kunin is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, so it’s not a surprise that General Manager Mike Grier traded him.
