The San Jose Sharks will hold forward Luke Kunin out of the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche for trade-related reasons.
Kunin’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors almost all season. The Sharks alternate captain is a pending unrestricted free agent with a cap hit of $2.75 million. His AAV is reasonable and not challenging for playoff teams up against the cap to fit in.
The 27-year-old is an effective bottom-six forward and can play all forward positions. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been in and around the forward as a team of interest.
San Jose dealt center Nico Sturm to the Florida Panthers earlier on Thursday. Sturm was another pending UFA with a strong defensive game.
BREAKING: Sharks Trade Nico Sturm To Panthers For More Draft Capital
In 63 games for the San Jose Sharks this season, Kunin has 11 goals and seven assists. He has won 47.3% of the face-offs he’s taken, which would be a career-high.
Nikolai Kovalenko has been activated from injured reserve and will play in Kunin’s place on Thursday.
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