Speculation: Michael Bunting (a realistic look at)

[Racer88]

He definitely has an instinct to always get to the net.

Going to be a very likeable player to watch

The Leafs desperately need a few “likeable” players right now.

 

[Bluebear]

I will settle for a Conn Symthe, lol

From what we've seen from all the other Leafs he's probably the most likely candidate...

 

[al secord]

When 4 of your top 6 forwards are elite and paid accordingly under a hard cap, Bunting is the perfect complimentary piece, especially at his price tag. He'll be a fan favourite for 2 years, and will hopefully play well enough to price himself out like Hyman did. We'll be 2 cups deep by then, so it won't hurt too much

 

[johnnybbadd]

Bunting and Kase (if he stays healthy) were my favourite signings that the Leafs made this summer. Bunting will score 20 goals if he is in a top 6 role.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Bunting is a NHL player. It’s hard to understand why he has so few games played. Arizona is a joke. He looks every bit the replacement for Hyman @ $950,000 per. Potential there to be one of the years best signings.

 

[cannucky]

Bunting is a NHL player. It’s hard to understand why he has so few games played. Arizona is a joke. He looks every bit the replacement for Hyman @ $950,000 per. Potential there to be one of the years best signings.

Like ...... still in the doghouse with no likey button lol

 

[Stinger8]

My pool draft is tomorrow night need to know will Bunting play on 1 of the top 2 lines for the majority of this year? I think Ritchie will get a look but will not be able to keep up and end up on third line. What say you Leafoholics??

 

[zeke]

My pool draft is tomorrow night need to know will Bunting play on 1 of the top 2 lines for the majority of this year? I think Ritchie will get a look but will not be able to keep up and end up on third line. What say you Leafoholics??

Based on preseason? Yes.

But it's just preseason.

 

[bossram]

IMO Bunting should get the first crack at the top line assignment, but for whatever reason they've committed more to Ritchie.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Bunting is perfect when you have 4 guys eating up all your cap. He can easily score 25 if he plays top 6. Certain things fall on those top 4 to make the best of it as well. The dynamic duo have Ritchie to watch over them and score while Bunting should work well with Tavares and Nylander. This was the Coyotes loss, our gain.

 

[Nylander88]

IMO Bunting should get the first crack at the top line assignment, but for whatever reason they've committed more to Ritchie.

Matthews and Marner are a two man show. A big body that goes to the net and will be there for them in scrums is perfect. Tavares seems to thrive with footspeed on either side of him, Nylander and Bunting bring that

 

[WinnieThePooh]

My pool draft is tomorrow night need to know will Bunting play on 1 of the top 2 lines for the majority of this year? I think Ritchie will get a look but will not be able to keep up and end up on third line. What say you Leafoholics??

I think it's worth the hail mary pick late in the draft (unless it's a deep dynasty league, then he might be worth it a bit higher).

 

[bossram]

Matthews and Marner are a two man show. A big body that goes to the net and will be there for them in scrums is perfect. Tavares seems to thrive with footspeed on either side of him, Nylander and Bunting bring that

Bunting also isn't particularly fast. I'd rather Kerfoot or *gasp* Mikheyev next to Tavares.

Bunting is a digger, a forechecker, and a guy who gets all his goals in tight. Stylistically, he's a lot closer to Hyman than Nick Ritchie.

 

[ottomaddox]

I'm happy that Bunting is generating interest like this.

I'm just so dying to see what he does once the regular season starts.

 

[zeke]

Bunting also isn't particularly fast. I'd rather Kerfoot or *gasp* Mikheyev next to Tavares.

Bunting is a digger, a forechecker, and a guy who gets all his goals in tight. Stylistically, he's a lot closer to Hyman than Nick Ritchie.

Eh I've been impressed by his puck carrying and passing.

 

[zeke]

Bunting is perfect when you have 4 guys eating up all your cap. He can easily score 25 if he plays top 6. Certain things fall on those top 4 to make the best of it as well. The dynamic duo have Ritchie to watch over them and score while Bunting should work well with Tavares and Nylander. This was the Coyotes loss, our gain.

Spoiler: there are always good value signings like this available to smart GMs.

This is why you give your capspace to the legit elite talent, not the depth talent.

 

[Dayjobdave]

Bunting looks great. Goes to the net, finishes his checks. Kids going to be very popular here.

 

[Gabriel426]

On pace for 40 goals, which is 10 less than I predicted, he needs to put up the slack or Noodles will start saying I told you so on Overdrive about some people in Toronto are expecting too much…

 

[Papi 4 Hart]

Bunting is Darcy Tucker reincarnate.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

On pace for 40 goals, which is 10 less than I predicted, he needs to put up the slack or Noodles will start saying I told you so on Overdrive about some people in Toronto are expecting too much…

I don't see how people didn't think this guy could not put up at least 20 goals in the role he was in. It's half of his shooting percentage last year, and he is the kind of guy who gets a ton of goals by being in the right spot and letting guys get the puck to him... Which is the same way Hyman has been scoring goals pretty much the entire time he was here. Add in the fact that Bunting can actually snipe some goals too, which is something that rarely, if ever, happened with Hyman.

 

[IPS]

I don't see how people didn't think this guy could not put up at least 20 goals in the role he was in.

No doubt.

OP's prediction of 5 goals and 20 points is pathetic.

 

[Menzinger]

I don't see how people didn't think this guy could not put up at least 20 goals in the role he was in. It's half of his shooting percentage last year, and he is the kind of guy who gets a ton of goals by being in the right spot and letting guys get the puck to him... Which is the same way Hyman has been scoring goals pretty much the entire time he was here. Add in the fact that Bunting can actually snipe some goals too, which is something that rarely, if ever, happened with Hyman.

I think a lot of folks hadn't seen him play much and just looked at his age.and stats like game played ect

But the guy is the real deal

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

I knew he would do well. He really wanted to come home to Toronto and help the team any way he could. I'm not sure what his stat line will be at the end of the season, what I do know is he will give 100 % every shift and will do whatever is necessary to win in Toronto.

 

[al secord]

I was at the Scarborough Town Centre in my Bunting jersey holding my hand up for high fives. I'm not sure he has caught on yet. Or maybe no-one gives high fives in covid times. Needless to say, i was left hanging.

 

[The Podium]

Love Bunting, we got our Hyman replacement for under a mill