With one day left before the NHL trade deadline, the San Jose Sharks will reportedly hold Luke Kunin out of their lineup Thursday for their game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver.
Kunin signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Sharks last offseason and is a pending unrestricted free agent. Chris Johnston of TSN first reported that Kunin would not play against the Avalanche as the Sharks manage one of their more remaining moveable assets before the NHL trade deadline on Friday at noon (PST).
Now in his third year with the Sharks, Kunin has 18 points in 63 games this season. As one of the Sharks’ top penalty killers, the blue-collar Kunin has mainly been used as a middle six forward this season, averaging over 15 minutes in ice time per game.
Asked late last month about the possibility of being traded, Kunin, an alternate captain, said, “I’m focused on today. I’m focused on getting better in practice and having a good day here, and whatever tomorrow brings, it brings, and we’ll deal with it then.”
Nikolai Kovalenko was activated off of injured reserve Thursday and is eligible to play against the Avalanche as the Sharks look for their third straight victory. Kovalenko last played on Jan. 30 against the Seattle Kraken and has missed the last nine games with an upper body injury.
Please check back for updates to this developing story.