Luke Kunin returned to SAP Center with his new team, the Florida Panthers, on Saturday night.
The Sharks traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets just before the Trade Deadline last season. That was about a month before Kunin’s wife, and retired PWHL Minnesota player, Sophia Kunin, was due to give birth to their first child. Luke then signed a free agent contract with the Panthers over the summer
Luke said there were talks between his agent and the Sharks about a potential contract extension, before San Jose opted to trade him. Before the Sharks traded him, the alternate captain was enjoying renewed health, after knee surgery in the 2022-23 campaign, with 11 goals and seven assists in 63 games.
“There was definitely a few conversations. I don’t think I was involved too much throughout that, just trying to play and help the team every night,” he said. “There’s no bad blood or ill will, or anything like that. There’s conversations, negotiations, like I said, agents talking, and directions both sides wanted to go with the way it happened.”
Sophia eventually gave birth to baby Callum Drake Kunin on April 23rd, about two days after Luke got home after the conclusion of the season. Luke said both Sophia and Callum are doing great.
Meanwhile, Kunin hasn’t found an everyday place in the defending champs’ line-up so far. He’s got one assist in 10 games in a fourth-line role, playing 10:29 a night.
“I really like Luke’s game,” Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said about sitting Kunin on Saturday against his former team. “Luke will go back in soon.”
At San Jose Hockey Now…
The San Jose Sharks have found their identity.
What is the deal with the San Jose Sharks‘ rotating Player of the Game award?
Michael Misa was placed on Injured Reserve.
Philipp Kurashev on his resurgence.
Other Sharks News…
Will Smith is having a big start to his sophomore season, right along side Macklin Celebrini.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic was spotted on the ice at the Sharks Ice on Friday, working out on his own.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic is on the ice this morning at the Sharks practice facility pic.twitter.com/2tF9rNcSBd
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 7, 2025
Everything changed 1/2 way through the 2nd Period last night. Hear what Collin Graf & Ethan Cardwell had to say about the @SanJoseSharks win on the latest Morning Tide w/@TedRameyMedia
iTunes:https://t.co/TMAxTCmlNb
Spotify: https://t.co/hdTdy7x2Nm
Sharks+SAP Center App pic.twitter.com/twegdFqUf2
— Sharks Audio Network (@SharksAudioNet) November 8, 2025
Joe Thornton and his beard are ready to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The beard is ready for the @HockeyHallFame! 👏
Joe Thornton is in Toronto for the Class of 2025 induction. pic.twitter.com/MswXohnInB
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 8, 2025
Blazer and ring official. 👌 pic.twitter.com/b10psAxVS9
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 8, 2025
Around the NHL…
The Hall of Fame inductees, including Joe Thornton, talked about their influences.
Rasmus Dahlin is taking a leave of absence from the Buffalo Sabres.
Trevor Zegras and the Philadelphia Flyers needed each other.
Canada and Finland unveil their Winter Olympic jerseys.
The New Jersey Devils hosted three Make-A-Wish kids at practice.
The NHL Alumni Association is heartbroken to learn that Mel Bridgman has passed away at the age of 70.
After recording 157 points in just 66 games for the Victoria Cougars of the Western Canada Hockey League (now the WHL) in 1974-75, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Mel first… pic.twitter.com/4NYUDVokoz
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) November 8, 2025