Sharks Trade Kunin to Blue Jackets

The San Jose Sharks have traded Luke Kunin to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

First reported by Pierre LeBrun, the Sharks are getting a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Jackets.

Alternate captain Kunin was held out of Thursday night’s 7-3 loss at the Colorado Avalanche for trade reasons.

Kunin is having his best season with the San Jose Sharks this year, notching 11 goals in 63 games.

A go-to penalty killer for head coach Ryan Warsofsky, Kunin is a scrappy heart-and-soul center-winger, best suited for bottom-six duty.

“He’s a gamer. Puts his body on the line. He knows what he is as a player. I can’t say enough good things about Luke,” Warsofsky said on Thursday. “He’s been good for me to lean on, as a leader in that leadership group. He gives everything he’s got every single night.”

The San Jose Sharks traded for Kunin, 27, in the summer of 2022, sending prospect John Leonard and a 2023 third-round pick to the Nashville Predators.

Kunin has 27 goals and 49 points and 171 penalty minutes in 171 games in teal. He leads San Jose forwards with 151 blocked shots and all Sharks with 391 hits since 2022-23.