The Columbus Blue Jackets entered the March 7th trade deadline hoping to add depth to their forward group. The team was pushing towards a playoff spot and had accrued a few injuries amongst the forwards.
While they could just keep calling up players from Cleveland, it was more beneficial to keep the young players in the AHL and play prominent roles towards their playoff push. So, instead GM Don Waddell acquired forward Luke Kunin from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 4th round pick in 2025.
Kunin was added to play in a bottom 6 role, play on the penalty kill, and chip in for a few goals. After being acquired, he quickly became a mainstay on the 4th line. But, the month of March was not kind to the CBJ, as they went 4-9 and the offense seemed to disappear.
Kunin did not contribute any offense (he had 0 points in 12 games) to the club at a time when the CBJ desperately needed some scoring. His primary contribution was on the penalty kill, where he was serviceable.
He was eventually made a healthy scratch after the April third game against the Colorado Avalanche, and never suited up for the team again (he missed the final 8 games). The combination of players getting healthy and other players elevating their game buried Kunin down the depth chart. It was not a good end to the season for a player who was excited to be in a playoff push and was playing for a new contract.
Kunin is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is free to sign with any team in the NHL. If he had played well in his time with the CBJ, I could see Don Waddell offering him a contract. However, his average performance coupled with some healthy scratches likely spells the end of his time in Columbus.
Final season stats (with Columbus): 12 games played, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, 9 PIM, -4, 17 shots on goal, Overall grade: D
Kunin was acquired at the trade deadline to provide depth on the 4th line during the push towards the playoffs. While he did provide depth, his play was average, which led to him not playing the final 8 games of the season. The only reason he gets a D and not an F is because he was serviceable on the penalty kill.