Michael Bunting suspended three games

[BayStBullies]

2 games deserved + 1 game tax for being a Leaf. Makes sense.

 

[Buds17]

Jarnkrok - Matthews - Marner
Knies - ROR - Nylander

Knies in the top six against Tampa seems like a baptism by fire that I wouldn't look to explore unless it involved circumstances of absolute necessity.

 

[BayStBullies]

Marchand would have got a game

Marchand would have got a powerplay

 

[Twine Tickler]

This is so predictable from the DOPS. They don't even try and hide their bias against the Leafs at this point TBH. 19 suspensions were handed out this past season, only 4 of which were 3 games. The rest were either 2 or 1 games. Keep in mind those are all suspensions in the regular season, and the games each of those players served were also in the regular season.

Given the fact that all 3 of Bunts games will be served in the post season, this effectively makes this the most extreme suspension on the season.

Essentially DOPS is saying that this was the dirtiest play on the season....It is actually hilarious. Not even 2 weeks removed from the Ryan Hartman hit on Nik Ehlers no less lol. Which coincidently resulted in a 1 regular season game suspension.

Nothing surprises me any more. It's at the point were Shanny and Dubas serve nothing to lose by completely going off on the DOPS. They need to be called out for this shit. No one is saying Bunts should not be suspended. But to be handed out the stiffest of suspensions when this is his first suspension is f***ing insane and nowhere close to any precedent they've established prior

 

[Strangle]

I always hated the take on Kadri’s so called selfishness. He wore his heart on his sleeve, played with passion and stood up for his teammates.

The two suspensions he got, were a result of horrible officiating and him being fed up with the abuse he and his teammates were being subjected to. Bunting is no Kadri and seems to only pull these boneheaded plays because of what HE’s being subjected to.

I would kill to have a few Kadri’s on this team right now. He has skill, passion and fire in his game! Traits that are lacking in our core players

I agree 100%

Unfortunately the thinking then was that Kadri couldn’t control himself and the Leafs needed him on the ice in the playoffs.

I think he got suspended the next year too? Yes, he did.

It’s really unfortunate, I love Kadri and wish he was on this team. But I also understand why he was moved. I hope he can find his way back home and lift a cup here too

Avalanche center Nazem Kadri suspended eight games by NHL for illegal hit in Game 2

During the first intermission of the Avalanche’s Game 3 against the St. Louis Blues on Friday night, the NHL announced an eight-game suspension to Avs center Nazem Kadri for his illegal hit t…

www.denverpost.com

 

[Koolboss]

I don’t like bunting so I’m fine with this. Can’t forcheck worth a damn. Bambi on skates.

I still stand by my word calling Bunting a plug. Where are all the home boys now?

 

[GojuLeaf]

Has anyone done some kind of statistical analysis to see if the league is harder on leafs players? I can't imagine it would be all too hard to do for a statistician.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Knies in the top six against Tampa seems like a baptism by fire that I wouldn't look to explore unless it involved circumstances of absolute necessity.

True, but if he's going to play, ROR is probably the best one to play him with, and those three had some chemistry in their few games together.

All Keefe would have to do is switch Nylander and Acciari.

 

[Lemontree]

3 games doesn't seem over the top however I strongly question if the roles were reversed if Cernik would have received the same suspension. If he hit Matthews (god forbid) than maybe he gets 3, if he did that to Bunting, he probably gets 1 game.

 

[TakeTheBody]

Bunting brought this on himself. The dives, the cheap shots. It's why he hasn't gotten many calls the last few months. And yes I know he suckered a Bolt into a penalty in Game 1. His act is old, with the league, his opponents, maybe even some of his teammates. If he can't play within himself, why re-sign the kid? The last thing the Leafs need is a mental midget. Knies is cheaper ( for now), better, and will do it the right way.

 

[GojuLeaf]

True, but if he's going to play, ROR is probably the best one to play him with, and those three had some chemistry in their few games together.

All Keefe would have to do is switch Nylander and Acciari.

Nylander has done nothing but prove he performs in the playoffs we cant go and demote him to like the fourth line lol

 

[Metroid]

Say hello to UFA Michael Bunting

Once he goes to another team refs will allow him to pest it up and he will become useful again....he left nhl darlings the Yotes to come to Toronto. NHL can't have that!! Lol

 

[toddkaz]

Cernak Elbowed Okposo and got 2 games. This elbow looks much worse.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Absolute JOKE NHL is .. proven once again .. Bettman/Jacobs pulling their BS again .. Parros is just da fall guy .. like Shanny was before him .. it was a 2 game regular seaosn

Cernak Elbowed Okposo and got 2 games. This elbow looks much worse.

Big difference is Okposo got up and played on .. sad to say but they look at what hit did to other player as much or more then hit itself .. both hits were illegal Cernak and Bunting's though .. and theoretically same punishment should occur

Absolute JOKE NHL is .. proven once again .. Bettman/Jacobs pulling their BS again .. Parros is just da fall guy .. like Shanny was before him .. it was a 2 game regular seaosn

Big difference is Okposo got up and played on .. sad to say but they look at what hit did to other player as much or more then hit itself .. both hits were illegal Cernak and Bunting's though .. and theoretically same punishment should occur

which means 1 playoff game = 2 regular season games .. so rest of NL would have received 1 game but because Leafs it is 3 games

 

[Hellcat]

Nosek did not get penalty on this head shot on Staal. NHL refs are truly blind mice.

Totally innocent mistake, its not like there is a long history of the ref's missing obvious calls on Boston and Toronto being OVER penalized.

I wonder what its like to bet paid millions of dollars to play a game with impunity, with no consequences for your actions knowing the ref and the league is in your back pocket. #Bostoncheats. I'm positive years down the road there will be a leak that the Bruins cheated their way to the 65 wins, there is no way that team is a 65 win team.

 

[toddkaz]

Absolute JOKE NHL is .. proven once again .. Bettman/Jacobs pulling their BS again .. Parros is just da fall guy .. like Shanny was before him .. it was a 2 game regular seaosn

Big difference is Okposo got up and played on .. sad to say but they look at what hit did to other player as much or more then hit itself .. both hits were illegal Cernak and Bunting's though .. and theoretically same punishment should occur

I thought 2 games would be fair. Marchand wouldn't even have been suspended.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I thought 2 games would be fair. Marchand wouldn't even have been suspended.

Yes 2 regular season games was fair which equals 1 playoff game based on what NHL has said in past

 

[Hellcat]

Cernak Elbowed Okposo and got 2 games. This elbow looks much worse.

You are missing out on the Toronto tax, everything is 30% more in Toronto.

 

[CapspaceKiller]

an extra game for being Michael Bunting

 

[Hellcat]

Big difference is Okposo got up and played on .. sad to say but they look at what hit did to other player as much or more then hit itself .. both hits were illegal Cernak and Bunting's though .. and theoretically same punishment should occur

I got no problem Bunting gone for 3 games, the league did us a favor, it better for us for him to be gone vs him taking stupid dumbass diving PIMs putting that team on the PP every game for the next 3 games. Bye Felecia I'm done with his sideshow.

I'm fine with the league having a standard, if the standard is we consider the length of time the hurt player will be out, I've always been on board that if you hurt someone and its against the rules, you should be out as long as that player is out but it has never been a consideration before, and now a Toronto guy does something stupid and dangerous, the standard changes to consider the length of time Cernak is out. All fans want is a consistent and fair standard for everyone, not just teams that Gary needs to be successful to get those US TV contracts.

 

[hullsy47]

Bunting brought this on himself. The dives, the cheap shots. It's why he hasn't gotten many calls the last few months. And yes I know he suckered a Bolt into a penalty in Game 1. His act is old, with the league, his opponents, maybe even some of his teammates. If he can't play within himself, why re-sign the kid? The last thing the Leafs need is a mental midget. Knies is cheaper ( for now), better, and will do it the right way.

Bunting is riding his leafs time for a big payday
I would offer him 1.5 x3 tops
He ll get more than that somewhere but won't be playing with 2 all stars
He is not as good as Brendan gallagher tho

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I got no problem Bunting gone for 3 games, the league did us a favor, it better for us for him to be gone vs him taking stupid dumbass diving PIMs putting that team on the PP every game for the next 3 games. Bye Felecia I'm done with his sideshow.

I'm fine with the league having a standard, if the standard is we consider the length of time the hurt player will be out, I've always been on board that if you hurt someone and its against the rules, you should be out as long as that player is out but it has never been a consideration before, and now a Toronto guy does something stupid and dangerous, the standard changes to consider the length of time Cernak is out. All fans want is a consistent and fair standard for everyone, not just teams that Gary needs to be successful to get those US TV contracts.

Agreed .. all players want is a FAIR system too .. i think everyone would be fine with you are gone for as long as guy you hurt is gone .. an eye for an eye .. and if a guy plays rest of game then you get either a 2 minute penalty, a 5 minute penalty or a double minor and that's it

 

[banks]

I liked Bunting a lot when he first arrived. Being able to contribute like he does on such a cheap contract quickly endeared himself to Leafs fans.

But the term "wore out his welcome" is all too fitting here. He's just not a player that's easy to cheer for. He's not tenacious like a Darcy Tucker type. Instead he's a weaselly complainer. He has a pysical game, but the kind that brings bad penalties rather than being a forecheck/cycle beast like a Zach Hyman.

He deserves the 3 games, and the team will be just fine without him. I hope he doesn't get in the top 6 again after he gets back.

 

[keonsbitterness]

I thought he would only get 2 games for that as playoff games carry more weight than regular season games.

You suspend from the forwards in. Isn΄t that what you always say?

 

[Qwijibo]

Id be curious to know how many 3 game playoff suspensions have been handed out over the last ~10 years

Schieflie got 4 for his hit on Evans 2 in 2021