February 26, 2025 | 1:53pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

KUNIN, STURM AMONG AVAILABLE SHARKS

Luke Kunin, forward

As Sharks GM Mike Grier continues to navigate the trade waters, trade talks in San Jose appear to have quieted down recently. With the trade deadline nine days away, the chatter will surely pick up and two of the club’s forwards could be on the move.

Forwards Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm are playing on expiring contracts and are eligible to become unrestricted free agents July 1. The Sharks have made both players available and both are considered prime candidates to be moved by March 7 at 3pm ET.

Kunin, 27, owns a $2.75 million salary cap hit, while the 29-year-old Sturm comes with a $2 million cap figure.

Teams have inquired about some of San Jose’s other players, including defenceman Mario Ferraro, who has another year remaining on his contract after this season.

Sharks goalies Alexandar Georgiev and Vitek Vanecek are also up for grabs, but the team has used up all three of its salary retention slots and both netminders might not be moved due to their cap figures – both are also in the final year of their respective contracts.

Kunin, who currently has 11 goals on the season, has attracted interest from multiple contending teams in the past, and clubs interested in adding to their bottom-six could circle back closer to the deadline.