The Florida Panthers have made a significant roster move by placing forward Luke Kunin on NHL waivers. This decision comes after Kunin, who is 28 years old, struggled to find his footing with the team since signing a one-year contract at the league minimum during the off-season.
Luke Kunin’s Performance and Struggles
Initially, the Panthers envisioned Kunin as their fourth-line center. However, his performance has been inconsistent, resulting in only two goals and four points over 44 games. Additionally, his physical play has been limited, with just 80 hits and 32 blocked shots, while averaging only 8:38 of ice time.
Impact on the Team’s Roster
As Kunin’s role diminished, he lost his spot in the lineup to teammate Cole Schwindt. Schwindt’s contributions have been affected by two long-term injuries, creating opportunities for other players.
Dmitry Kulikov’s Activation
The Panthers also recently activated defenseman Dmitry Kulikov from long-term injured reserve (LTIR). He is now listed as a game-time decision for the upcoming matchup against the New York Islanders. Coach Paul Maurice provided further insights about the injury status of players like Uvis Balinskis, Seth Jones, and Schwindt.
Roster Adjustments and Future Moves
To accommodate the return of other injured players and comply with salary cap regulations, the Panthers must create additional roster space. They are also looking to activate Jonah Gadjovich and Tomas Nosek, and the recent waiver move with Kunin highlights their intention to keep promising players like Sandis Vilmanis.
- A decision was made to place Kunin on waivers rather than sending down Vilmanis, indicating higher expectations for Vilmanis.
- If Kunin clears waivers, he will head to the AHL, making this his first appearance in that league since the 2018-19 season with the Minnesota Wild.
With Kunin off the roster, Jesper Boqvist is set to take over as the fourth-line center for the matchup against the Islanders. Boqvist has recorded three goals and eight points in 51 games this season.
