SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks have officially re-signed two forwards, bringing back Luke Kunin and Justin Bailey on one-year contracts.
Kunin, who turns 27 in December, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of his contract. He scored 18 points in 77 games this season, his first since he had surgery to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament in Dec. 2022. As was previously reported, his deal is worth $2.75 million.
The Sharks signed Bailey, a pending UFA, to a two-way deal worth $800,000 at the NHL level, a source confirmed.
Kunin, with his blue-collar work ethic, versatility, and willingness to stick up for teammates, is the type of player the Sharks want around to help provide an example to the younger players they’re set to bring into the lineup this upcoming season.
“He helps drive the culture,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said of Kunin on Friday. “Kunin shows up every night. He’s a good example for our young players; he plays hard, competes, plays hurt, all the things you’re looking for in players to help show our younger players that this is what it takes to be in the NHL and be a professional.”
The Sharks have also brought in Barclay Goodrow, Carl Grundstrom, and Ty Dellandrea to help provide a bit of insulation. NHL free agency starts Monday and the Sharks will likely be in the market for more additions.
With Kunin, the real possibility exists that if the Sharks, as expected, are out of the postseason picture by next year’s NHL trade deadline, he could be shipped out to contending teams for future assets.
Did Grier want to go with a longer term for Kunin?
“We talked about it,” Grier said. “It’s always a fine line with term and money and trying to find common ground. So I think both sides felt one year was good, and we’ll revisit as the season goes on.”
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Bailey, 28, had 14 points in 59 games for the Sharks this past season, averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time per game. He also spent time with the Barracuda — after he initially joined the organization on a PTO — and had 11 points in 16 AHL games before signing with the Sharks on Nov. 27, 2023.
The San Jose chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association named Bailey the Sharks’ Masterton Trophy nominee. The award is given annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.