Speculation: Michael Bunting (a realistic look at)

[HamiltonNHL]

LOL, Covid and an injury in practice?

Anyone who gets injured in practice is clearly not durable

 

[ITM]

Does Bunting have legitimate shot at Calder or his age plays a factor?

He has a legitimate shot in terms of belonging in the cohort. And he might have had a legitimate shot at the trophy itself if Moritz Seider decided to stay in Sweden for another season.

 

[Sypher04]

Love Bunting, he’s been great for us, and it’d be fun to see him win, but let’s be honest if Seider/Raymond are even remotely close to him at all, say within 10-15 points then they should win.

Not only are they much younger rookies, but they don’t play with nearly the level of teammates Bunting comes over the boards with shift after shift.

 

[Confucius]

Love Bunting, he’s been great for us, and it’d be fun to see him win, but let’s be honest if Seider/Raymond are even remotely close to him at all, say within 10-15 points then they should win.

Not only are they much younger rookies, but they don’t play with nearly the level of teammates Bunting comes over the boards with shift after shift.

I can see your argument for Seider but why would Raymond have to be beat so badly. One point victory is good enough for me. Heck even if they are tied the guy with the most goals should get it.

He's a rookie and he is 1/3 of the best line in the game, that should go to his credit not detriment.

Mcdavid and Dri play together but it hasn't detered the voters from giving them 3 of the last 6 Hart's

 

[Sypher04]

I can see your argument for Seider but why would Raymond have to be beat so badly. One point victory is good enough for me. Heck even if they are tied the guy with the most goals should get it.

Mcdavid and Dri play together but it hasn't detered the voters from giving them 3 of the last 6 Hart's

Simply put, I think rookie of the year should always go to the younger player who did it with less help when the race is remotely close

 

[Confucius]

Simply put, I think rookie of the year should always go to the younger player who did it with less when the race is remotely close

There are rules, nowhere does it say younger should get the nod? I did edit my post to say. He forms 1/3 of the best line in the game. That should count to his credit than detriment. For a rook to step up and perform like that, totally awesome.

So he is older most forwards best years are by the age of 23, again give credit to the old guy. Did Hobbs get this much grief? Maybe that is what we should call Bunting, Michael "Hobbs" Bunting. LOL!

 

[Sypher04]

There are rules, nowhere does it say younger should get the nod? I did edit my post to say. He forms 1/3 of the best line in the game. That should count to his credit than detriment. For a rook to step up and perform like that, totally awesome.

So he is older most forwards best years are by the age of 23, again give credit to the old guy. Did Hobbs get this much grief? Maybe that is what we should call Bunting, Michael "Hobbs" Bunting. LOL!

nowhere am I not giving him his credit. He’s been terrific for us. I just philosophically don’t agree with older players winning it unless they are far and away better than the field

 

[Confucius]

nowhere am I not giving him his credit. He’s been terrific for us. I just philosophically don’t agree with older players winning it unless they are far and away better than the field

I understand that but, you don't seem to want to follow the rule as it is. you want to inject your feeling on what the rule should be. Which is wrong, IMO. A rule is a rule. No different than any rule, I may not like the offside rule. I would only want to see flagrant offsides, however if I'm a ref I have to follow the rule my opinion shouldn't affect my call.

 

[Sypher04]

I understand that but, you don't seem to want to follow the rule as it is. you want to inject your feeling on what the rule should be. Which is wrong, IMO. A rule is a rule. No different than any rule, I may not like the offside rule. I would only want to see flagrant offsides, however if I'm a ref I have to follow the rule my opinion shouldn't affect my call.

Oh no for sure. I was just stating who should win imo. Not necessarily how the voting would play out.

 

[Confucius]

Oh no for sure. I was just stating who should win imo. Not necessarily how the voting would play out.

It's all good man. I just get my back up a little because of the other fans on the mainboards, Many have your point of view. I'd bet dollars to donuts if "Hobbs" was on their team they wouldn't be arguing it that way. As I stated on the mainboards, it wouldn't surprise me if Gary changed the rules mid game. lol!

 

[zeke]

I actually would lean away from bunting winning the calder, but only a leaf could lead rookies in goals and points (2nd in +/-) and have fans league wide argue he isn't even in contention for it.

 

[ITM]

There are rules, nowhere does it say younger should get the nod? I did edit my post to say. He forms 1/3 of the best line in the game. That should count to his credit than detriment. For a rook to step up and perform like that, totally awesome.

So he is older most forwards best years are by the age of 23, again give credit to the old guy. Did Hobbs get this much grief? Maybe that is what we should call Bunting, Michael "Hobbs" Bunting. LOL!

Michael "The Natural" Bunting.

"Roy" (Rookie of the Year) for short?

And seriously...If that ever took, and the man scores a goal in the playoffs, blast those first few seconds from the piece (soundtrack) in this scene through the joint:

 

[zeke]

All Strengths Scoring Paces


Bunting '22 (TOR): 29gl/66pt pace
Hyman '21 (TOR): 29gl/63pt pace
Hyman '20 (TOR): 34gl/60pt pace
Hyman '22 (EDM): 31gl/60pt pace
Bunting '21 (ARZ): 39gl/51pt pace
Hyman '19 (TOR): 24gl/47pt pace
Hyman '18 (TOR): 15gl/40pt pace
Hyman '17 (TOR): 10gl/28pt pace


Even Strength Scoring Paces

Bunting '22 (TOR): 26gl/60pt pace
Hyman '21 (TOR): 23gl/53pt pace
Hyman '20 (TOR): 27gl/48pt pace
Hyman '19 (TOR: 23gl/46pt pace
Hyman '22 (EDM): 23gl/45pt pace
Bunting '21 (TOR): 27gl/39pt pace
Hyman '18 (TOR): 14gl/38pt pace
Hyman '17 (TOR): 6gl/24pt pace

 

[sparxx87]

I actually would lean away from bunting winning the calder, but only a leaf could lead rookies in goals and points (2nd in +/-) and have fans league wide argue he isn't even in contention for it.

Who said he isn't in contention? Because of the numbers he'll be considered but 5th year pro playing with Matthews and Marner isn't nearly as outstanding as a 20 year old two-way defenseman arguably the best player on his team.

Seider should be top 10 in Norris voting, maybe even top 5. He has to be top 10-20 in scoring and likely a better defender than at least half the guys ahead of him. That's outstanding.

No slight to Bunting, the numbers don't hurt him but the context of him playing with the most potent C-RW duo in the league at 26 years old makes those numbers a little less impressive.

 

[Confucius]

I actually would lean away from bunting winning the calder, but only a leaf could lead rookies in goals and points (2nd in +/-) and have fans league wide argue he isn't even in contention for it.

And its not only the points, although that is most of it. Doesn't he lead the league in drawing penalties, he plays with some toughness, much like Kadri. Under the rules it's, Hobbs, Seider and maybe Swayman, imo. Anyway a lot can change still almost 1/3 of the season to go.

 

[Mickey Marner]

It would rustle a lot of jimmies if he won the Calder. Even more so than when Panarin won. Looks like Seider's to lose though.

 

[notbias]

Love Bunting, he’s been great for us, and it’d be fun to see him win, but let’s be honest if Seider/Raymond are even remotely close to him at all, say within 10-15 points then they should win.

Not only are they much younger rookies, but they don’t play with nearly the level of teammates Bunting comes over the boards with shift after shift.

I'd take a look at PPTOI, who they play with, and their production there before just saying "well Bunting plays with better players so he shouldn't win unless he is really far ahead"

Seider - 166:30 PPTOI | 17 PPP | 22 EVP
Raymond - 166:30 PPTOI | 14 PPP | 29 EVP
Bunting - 67:08 PPTOI | 4 PPP | 41 EVP

Bertuzzi - Larkin - Fabbri - Raymond - Seider
vs
Bunting - Kase - Spezza - Mikheyev - Sandin

Not sure if playing with Matthews/Marner is more advantageous than the PP opportunities

 

[Sypher04]

I'd take a look at PPTOI, who they play with, and their production there before just saying "well Bunting plays with better players so he shouldn't win unless he is really far ahead"

Seider - 166:30 PPTOI | 17 PPP | 22 EVP
Raymond - 166:30 PPTOI | 14 PPP | 29 EVP
Bunting - 67:08 PPTOI | 4 PPP | 41 EVP

Bertuzzi - Larkin - Fabbri - Raymond - Seider
vs
Bunting - Kase - Spezza - Mikheyev - Sandin

Not sure if playing with Matthews/Marner is more advantageous than the PP opportunities

I see what you’re saying, but it’s Matthews and Marner in my opinion and by a fair margin.

Maybe if Detroit was a better team then sure, but they are not and Bunting is coming out every shift alongside 2 players who have been producing at a 100+ point scorer level for better than 2 years now. How many rookies have ever had that kind of opportunity?

 

[notbias]

I see what you’re saying, but it’s Matthews and Marner in my opinion and by a fair margin.

Maybe if Detroit was a better team then sure, but they are not and Bunting is coming out every shift alongside 2 players who have been producing at a 100+ point scorer level for better than 2 years now. How many rookies have ever had that kind of opportunity?

You just said you'd need a large gap in points to make up for having Marner/Matthews beside him, there is a gap the size you needed at even strength, I think that is significant, the only reason the points are close is the PP.

Raymond is playing mostly with Larkin and Bertuzzi also, not exactly scrubs, he is clearly the third-best player on his line.

I understand the case for Seider (he is the front runner), but the Raymond talk makes no sense to me.

 

[TheProspector]

How oh how will we ever replace Zach Hyman?

 

[Mess]

Kind of reminds me back in 1992-93 when then 27 year old rookie Nikolai Borschevsky in 78 games for the Leafs put up 34 goals 40 assists 74 points, while riding shotgun with Dougie Gilmour and Dave Andreychuk.

After 31 year old Sergei Makarov won it in 1990 the NHL changed the runs so the Calder would be for a true rookie of the year not an older veterans simply because it was their 1st season in the NHL.

Bunting has been so slow in developing that he just sneaks under the new Calder rules by the skin of his teeth.

- Over 25 games in a year, not a rookie (he played 21).
- Six games in consecutive years, not a rookie (played 5 the year prior).
- Turn 26 years old before Sept. 15th, not a rookie (turned 26 on Sept.17th).

But voters on the award will see true 18 and 19 year old kids differently then 26 year old career AHLer for the award. IMO

 

[GrizzGreen]

Seider will win the Calder but Bunts has been great. Has some edge, finishes his plays well, has a scoring touch, and gets into the dirty areas. He's been a great part of the first line.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

I really like how plays don't die on Bunting's stick like they did at times with Hyman. That allows the line to spend more time cycling and creating chances in the offensive zone.

That'll be huge in the playoffs.

 

[1specter]

Bunting has more goals than Tavares lol. Who would've thought that would be the case at this point in the season

 

[Confucius]

Seider will win the Calder but Bunts has been great. Has some edge, finishes his plays well, has a scoring touch, and gets into the dirty areas. He's been a great part of the first line.

there is 1/3 of the season to play. Hobbs is playing better each game. Not over by a long shot