Ahead of several potential returns to the lineup, the Florida Panthers have placed center Luke Kunin on NHL waivers for the purpose of being sent to the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.
The Florida Panthers have placed forward Luke Kunin on NHL waivers.
The 28-year-old signed a one-year, league minimum deal in the off-season with the Panthers, but he’s struggled to lock down a role with the Panthers.
The Panthers had hoped he could serve as the team’s fourth-line center, but Kunin has struggled with inconsistency and faltered on the offensive end. In 44 games, Kunin has mustered just two goals and four points.
Additionally, he hasn’t been overly physical, throwing 80 hits and blocking 32 shots while averaging 8:38 of ice time. Kunin had lost his spot in the lineup to Cole Schwindt, but Schwindt has dealt with long-term injuries in two occurrences.
Dmitry Kulikov has been activated from the long-term injury reserve. To remain under the salary cap and to activate Jonah Gadjovich, Tomas Nosek, and Seth Jones, who could all potentially return during their road trip, they need to create roster and cap space.
With Kunin now off the roster, coach Paul Maurice has elected to insert Jesper Boqvist into the lineup, slated to skate as the fourth line center today against the New York Islanders. Boqvist has notched three goals and eight points in 51 games this season.
Kunin requires waivers to be sent down to the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, but the Panthers could have elected to send Sandis Vilmanis, who does not require waivers.
The decision to send Kunin to the AHL shows they like what Vilmanis brings to the Panthers’ lineup and have been disappointed by what Kunin has brought to the organization.
If Kunin does clear waivers, he’ll play his first AHL game since the 2018-19 season when he was a member of the Minnesota Wild.
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