Long-Time Maple Leafs Target Signs With Bitter Divisional Rival

This time last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs held substantial interest in then San Jose Sharks forward, Luke Kunin, according to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period.

The Leafs held trade talks with the Sharks that never materialized, but many felt that once he became a free agent, GM Brad Treliving would pivot towards the gritty forward.

As we entered the doldrums of summer, Kunin remained on the open market and was primed to be a top candidate for a PTO. Despite Toronto having still held interest in Kunin, their primary issue was the log jam at the forward position with too many teams not biting on Calle Jarnkrok or David Kampf this summer.

That little bit of apprehension might have cost them after Kunin signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers. If there was ever a team that could bring out the best in a bottom-6 role player, it's Florida, and they certainly didn't need any more help.

The 27-year-old has played 8 seasons in the NHL with pit stops in Minnesota, Nashville, San Jose, and Columbus. Just recently, Kunin potted 11 goals and 18 points in 75 games in 2024-25 between the Sharks and the Blue Jackets.

His best attributes come in the form of his physical play, penalty killing acumen, and responsible 2-way game. Kunin has delivered 638 hits and 215 blocked shots over his last 265 games, giving the Panthers a very useful role player to plug into their lineup.

The Leafs might regret letting the Missouri native remain on the open market for as long as he was. It certainly doesn't help that he signed with their bitter rivals in Florida, but until they can find a new home for some of their veteran forwards, they could lose out on more free agent targets in the coming weeks.