Nashville Predators: Kunin’s Case For Expansion Protection

May 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Luke Kunin (11) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes in game four of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Last year on day two of the delayed NHL Entry draft, the Nashville Predators announced that they had traded 3rd line workhorse Nick Bonino to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Forward Luke Kunin.

At the time, fans were a little perplexed at the departure of Bonino as we weren’t sure what kind of player in Kunin the Predators would be getting in return. But, as it…