After a few quality years with the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators, Luke Kunin joined the San Jose Sharks in the 2022-23 NHL offseason. Although he’s seen his market value drop over the last few years, Kunin could hold some value at the bottom of a team’s forward core.
Throughout his time in the Bay Area, largely in a bottom-six role, Kunin scored 27 goals and 49 points in 171 games with a -63 rating, averaging 15:30 of ice time per game. Despite the apparent shortcomings in his defensive and possession game, Kunin remained a physical center with the Sharks, averaging 2.29 hits per game.
Unfortunately, even though he was mostly used as a winger, he had a disappointing run with the Columbus Blue Jackets after being acquired at the 2024-25 trade deadline. Going scoreless in 12 contests, Kunin earned a -4 rating with 24 hits, averaging 11:46 of ice time.
Stats
2024-25: 75 GP, 11 G, 7 A, 18 PTS, -28, 55 PIMS, 112 shots, 14:41 ATOI, 41.3 CF%
Career: 434 GP, 73 G, 69 A, 142 PTS, -97, 387 PIMS, 712 shots, 14:53 ATOI, 43.7 CF%
Potential Suitors
With a career faceoff percentage of 44.9%, it’s unlikely that many teams will see Kunin as a viable option for a bottom-six center in the future. However, his physicality may still attract interest from several clubs, especially those aiming to enhance their lineup with a player of his style.
Disregarding available cap space, the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Mammoth, Vegas Golden Knights, and Washington Capitals all finished in the bottom 22% of the league in hits last season. All seven of these teams outside of Utah should be considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders entering next season (although the Mammoth should compete for a playoff spot), meaning increased physicality, especially toward the bottom of the lineup, would help in those efforts.
Projected Contract
Kunin is coming off a one-year contract worth $2.75 million with the Sharks, but unfortunately, he is likely to earn less in his next deal. Considering the remaining salary cap space available to teams like the Oilers, Stars, and Lightning, Kunin may end up signing a one-year contract for less than $1MM.
Unlike many of the free agents remaining on the market, his physicality may preclude him from having to settle on a one-year league-minimum offer, or even a professional tryout contract during training camp. Still, even though we are far removed from the opening of free agency, there’s plenty of time remaining in the summer for Kunin to find a new home.
Photo courtesy of Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images.