Kunin was scratched for the fifth game in a row in Saturday's 7-0 win over the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin's point drought is at 25 games, dating back to his time with the Sharks before he was dealt to the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline. He has a minus-4 rating, 17 shots on net, 24 hits and 13 blocked shots in 12 games with Columbus since the trade. The Blue Jackets are healthy at forward and James van Riemsdyk has some momentum since returning to the lineup, which has left Kunin stuck in the press box late in the season.

Kunin, who missed Thursday's 7-3 loss to Colorado for roster management reasons, was acquired by Columbus from San Jose on Friday in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick, per Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin has 11 goals, 18 points, 46 PIM, 163 hits and 64 blocks in 63 outings in 2024-25. Although he doesn't do a ton offensively, his physicality should be of value to the Blue Jackets as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Kunin will likely serve in the middle six.

Kunin won't play against the Avalanche on Thursday for roster management, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It seems Kunin's three-year stint with the Sharks is coming to an end, with the expectation that he will be moved prior to Friday's trade deadline. The 27-year-old center needs just two more points to get back to the 20-point threshold after missing that mark in each of the previous two campaigns. Depending where he lands, Kunin could be shifted to the wing and slot into a middle-six role.

Kunin scored a goal on three shots and added three hits in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Predators.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin ended a seven-game point drought with his first-period tally. The 27-year-old hadn't scored since Dec. 23 against the Canucks, though it's not unusual for him to have some slumps as more of a physical checking forward. He's up to 11 goals and seven assists over 50 appearances, matching his point production exactly from 77 contests in 2023-24. Kunin also has 73 shots on net, 127 hits, 50 blocked shots, 33 PIM and a minus-14 rating this season.

Kunin notched an assist, three hits and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin ended a four-game slump with the helper. The 27-year-old has been effective on offense despite often playing in a fourth-line role at even strength. He's also been on the second power-play unit recently. Kunin is up to 17 points -- one off his total from last season -- while adding 60 shots on net, 109 hits, 47 blocked shots and 33 PIM over 42 appearances this season. He's on pace for a career year, with his previous personal best being 15 goals and 31 points in 2019-20 with the Wild.

Kunin scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin has scored in back-to-back games and has four points over his last three contests. The 27-year-old's goal came late in the third period -- too late to change the result. The center has been excellent as a depth forward this year with 10 goals, six assists, 52 shots on net, 94 hits, 46 blocked shots, 29 PIM and a minus-5 rating over 37 appearances. He's on pace to top the 30-point mark for the first time since 2019-20.

Kunin scored a goal Saturday in a 3-2 overtime loss to Edmonton.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin has three points (one goal, two assists) in his last two games (three shots). The third-line winger is known more for his grit (92 hits) than his offense (15 points in 36 games). But it's worth noting that Kunin had just 18 points in 77 games last season, and his career high is 31 (63 games). At this rate, he could break that mark by a few points. Kunin is a deep-league option in formats that reward abrasion.

Kunin notched two assists and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin has a pair of multi-point efforts in December, accounting for all of his offense this month. The 27-year-old forward is up to eight goals, six assists, 46 shots on net, 92 hits, 44 blocked shots, 27 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 35 appearances. He's been a regular in the Sharks' bottom six, and he's on pace to top the 20-point mark for just the third time in his career.

Kunin scored two goals in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran forward gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, but the struggling team couldn't make it hold up. It was Kunin's first multi-goal performance of the season, but he's been surprisingly productive with eight goals and 12 points over 31 games -- a pace that gives him a shot at topping the career-high 15 goals and 31 points he produced for the Wild in 2019-20.

Kunin scored a goal on two shots, blocked two shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

Kunin has scored four times over his last eight games. The 26-year-old forward continues to see middle-six minutes for a Sharks team that has started to find some steady success on offense. He's up to six goals, 10 points, 35 shots on net, 67 hits, 38 blocked shots, 23 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 27 appearances. Kunin's on pace to challenge his career high of 31 points from 2019-20.