Mikael Granlund and Luke Kunin played on the same team twice before this season with the San Jose Sharks.
Mikael Granlund and Luke Kunin played on the same team twice before this season with the San Jose Sharks.
Both played for the Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators before joining Team Teal.
Last night, with captain Logan Couture and alternate captain Tomas Hertl out of the lineup, San Jose put an "A" on Granlund and Kunin's jerseys.
As Kunin said, he learned yesterday morning that he would have a letter on his jersey. He also spoke about why Granlund deserves to have one.
"It's pretty easy to see just by watching. He just gives it his all every night," Kunin said postgame. "He's a leader. He works hard, not only with the talent that he has but just does everything right. Great teammate and really just a pros-pro. [I'm] pretty lucky to be able to play with him everywhere I've been. [I've] learned a lot from him. He's a great teammate and person."
As for what it takes for Kunin to step into the role:
"I don't think you change anything about what you do," Kunin explained. "I think you just try to keep the group together. Be positive. Just be a good teammate. Do all the things that you've done in the past to get to this point."
The Sharks coaching staff and front office have spoken of Granlund highly. GM Mike Grier and head coach David Quinn feel he is part of the solution to the Sharks' rebuild.
"It's an honor always," Granlund said about wearing an "A" postgame. "Wearing a letter before in Nashville is not a new thing, but obviously, it's always an honor."
Granlund was an alternate captain for the Predators for two seasons.
"When I saw that before the game, I told him from the bottom of my heart, you have really deserved it," Granlund said about Kunin. "The way he plays. The way he treats people. The way he is accountable on the ice and off the ice. It's well deserved. I'm really happy for him."
With Hertl and Couture out for what looks to be an extended period, Granlund and Kunin will share the leadership duties with Mario Ferraro.
The Sharks take on the Calgary Flames tonight in the second game of a back-to-back.
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