On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired center Luke Kunin from the San Jose Sharks for a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The 2016 first-round pick joins the Eastern Conference for the first time in his eight-year NHL career. Columbus general manger Don Waddell has added some leadership to his group, as Kunin has carried the alternate captaincy for San Jose over the last two seasons. He brings a physical game to the Blue Jackets and 14 games of postseason experience that could benefit head coach Dean Evason’s lineup.
#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.
Sharks Center on the Move
Kunin, 27, finishes a three-year stint with the Sharks following an offseason trade from the Nashville Predators in 2022. The 6-foot center leaves the West Coast with 49 points over 171 games for a rebuilding Sharks team. In his eight-year career, Kunin has posted 142 points and 378 penalty minutes in 422 NHL games.
The right-shooter joins a Blue Jackets club currently in possession of the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-24-8 record and plenty of stiff competition close behind them. Kunin has experienced the NHL postseason three times in his career but not since 2022.
He played two seasons with Nashville, contributing 41 points over 120 regular-season games and three points in 10 postseason games between 2020 and 2022 before being acquired by the Sharks in the summer of 2022. The restricted free agent signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Sharks last offseason and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Sharks have added some draft capital to their retool featuring young premier talents like forward Macklin Celebrini and goalie Yaroslav Askarov among others. Celebrini has been a bright spot for the Sharks and finds himself in the race for the Calder Trophy for top rookie in the NHL despite missing time early in the season. San Jose owns a pair of first-round picks in 2025 (their own and the Dallas Stars’) and has now added their third 2024 fourth-round pick.
More must-reads:
- Mike Grier’s drafting propelling Sharks to certain future
- Reporter details Red Sox's updated stance on trading star outfielder
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Major Update Emerges in Dylan Samberg's Contract Negotiations With the Winnipeg Jets
A big development has emerged in the Dylan Samberg-Winnipeg Jets contract negotiations, and there appears to be mutual interest in a long-term deal. The Winnipeg Jets and defenceman Dylan Samberg have a lot of work to do if they are going to avoid a July 30 arbitration hearing, which is now only two days away. Dylan Samberg was one of three Jets players who filed for arbitration earlier this summer, along with forwards Gabriel Vilardi and Morgan Barron. Though both forwards signed brand new contracts well in advance of their respective hearings, Samberg is still unsigned with the deadline looming large. Now at the age of 26, Samberg is coming off a two-year contract that paid him $1.4 million per season and is in line for a substantial increase. Samberg had the sixth-best plus/minus rating in the entire NHL He was a vital contributor on Winnipeg's blue line last season, recording six goals, 14 assists, for 20 points in 60 games, but what really stood out was his +34 rating, which was sixth-best in the entire league. His consistent play and growing responsibilities on the back end have established him as an integral component of the Jets' top-four defensive corps, and the team will want to do whatever they can to retain him for the long haul. There's a lot of interest in getting a long-term agreement done on both sides. NHL insider Murat Ates doesn't see why it wouldn't get done, and believes the Jets need to value Samberg's defensive game, rather than just his point totals. 'Lots of interest in a long term deal. I don't see why it wouldn't get done. That said, a lot of people assume it will be easy. In practice, it's tough to price such a positive defensive impact. Pay Samberg for points+TOI and you don't pay him enough. Big day.' - Murat Ates Elliotte Friedman also revealed that should it actually get to arbitration, the two sides will only be allowed to agree to a one-year deal, which will essentially walk Samberg to unrestricted free agency. This is why hammering out a long-term deal now is so important. Arbitration has a tendency to ruin relationships between teams and players. Former Jets Jacob Trouba and Andrew Copp both abandoned the organization following really rough hearings. Winnipeg will certainly be hoping to avoid the same result with Samberg, whose consistency and value continue to increase with each passing game.
Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following the troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
Why SS Bo Bichette's stellar play could cost Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have the best record in Major League Baseball. Depth contributions throughout the lineup and on the pitching staff are a major factor in their success, but what might be even more important is the heater shortstop Bo Bichette is on. Like most of the rest of the team, after a slow start, Bichette has found his groove, and he put it all on display as Toronto (63-43) won three of four at AL Central-leading Detroit from Thursday-Sunday. Already with two RBI on Thursday and Friday, Bichette added two RBI in Saturday's 6-1 win that included this unreal 13-pitch at-bat against Tarik Skubal. Not many are taking arguably the best pitcher in baseball 13 pitches deep and forcing a walk. In Toronto's 10-4 loss Sunday, Bichette went 5-for-5 with two more RBI. Per StatMuse, it was his fourth five-hit game in the big leagues. Bichette entered the four-game series with a .281 average and now heads to Baltimore with a .289 average. That's superstar stuff from the 27-year-old two-time All-Star. Through 103 games, Bichette has 13 HRs and 65 RBI, putting him on pace for a 20-HR, 99-RBI season. He has driven in 100 runs only once during his seven-year MLB career. Bichette is doing himself wonders in a contract year, especially after a down, injury-plagued 2024 season. Toronto's chance to extend him at a discounted rate is long gone, and it feels like a formality that Bichette will at least test the market this winter. We've seen megadeals handed out to some of the league's best shortstops in recent years, including the Mets' Francisco Lindor, Texas' Corey Seager, Philadelphia's Trea Turner and Minnesota's Carlos Correa. Combine that with the increasing contract values around baseball, and Bichette is set to receive a massive payday. For now, Bichette's focus is on helping the Blue Jays win and make a postseason run that includes Toronto's first World Series title since 1993.
Ichiro had the most backhanded compliment for Marlins during Hall of Fame speech
Ichiro Suzuki delivered an amazing speech as he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, and it even included a surprising swipe at one of his own former teams. During the iconic speech, Ichiro took the time to thank each of of the three MLB teams that he played for across his 19 MLB seasons. When he arrived at the Miami Marlins, he made a hilarious wisecrack about how he had never heard of the team before they offered him a contract in 2015. “And to the Miami Marlins: I appreciate David Samson and Mike Hill for coming today. Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015, I had never heard of your team,” Ichiro joked. Many were surprised to hear Ichiro deliver his speech in English, as he almost always used an interpreter in interviews during and after his playing career. The fact that the 51-year-old was able to entertain the crowd while not speaking in his native language made the speech even more iconic. While thanking the New York Yankees, Ichiro had a funny comment about how his former teammates were only there to support CC Sabathia, who was also being inducted into Cooperstown. Ichiro is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, and fans have enjoyed seeing the less serious side of him in recent months. Earlier this year, he also took a hilarious shot at the lone Hall of Fame voter who snubbed him. Ichiro called out the voter again during his speech on Sunday.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
