Confirmed Signing with Link: [TOR] Michael Bunting signs with the Maple Leafs (2 years, $900k AAV)

[Yackiberg8]

Signing Taveras wasn’t that great. I still feel like his money could have been spent elsewhere. He was a luxury not a need.

He is an important player for the Leafs.

 

[Hockeyholic]

One could say Tavares hasn't been worth his contract. That's definitely something that can be debated.

But....imagine having Matthews as your go to #1C. He gets hurt. Not available. Now you've got your #2 C (Kadri) getting suspended in the postseason.

Now...you've got no centers.

If Kadri had no history of suspensions, and had a great playoff resume, I'm not so sure they sign Tavares.

 

[Suntouchable13]

He is an important player for the Leafs.

Meh, he is declining and he has not made a difference for Leafs success in the playoffs so far. 11M for a 2nd line C is too much

 

[Hockeyholic]

Bunting has definitely been a surprise.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Troll attempt denied. Burr is in the ring of honour for a reason.

A high motor high IQ player that on his own probably wouldn’t really bring much to any given line, but when paired with the right offensive players, he makes them a hell of a lot better. I’ve never seen Matthews and Marner grind as much as they have this season, and that’s all because of the example Bunting has set. He’s also smart enough and fast enough to see the plays that your superstars are making as they happen.

There are reasons Burrows wasn't a scrub.

Being inducted into the Canucks Ring of Honour with guys like Ohlund isn't one of them.

 

[Yackiberg8]

Meh, he is declining and he has not made a difference for Leafs success in the playoffs so far. 11M for a 2nd line C is too much

There is a strong case to be made that him being out was the difference in the first round last year.

He is overpaid but that was the price to get him and he is still an elite player who would be extremely hard to replace.

 

[Mugzy97]

There is a strong case to be made that him being out was the difference in the first round last year.

Extremely strong case

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Add drafting Matthew Knies, Topi Niemla, Nick Robertson, Nick Abruzze, Roni Hirvonen. All picks in the 2nd-4th rounds.

Not until they play consistently at the NHL level

 

[Byron Bitz]

Extremely strong case

I have zero doubt that the Leafs would have won the series if Tavares fell down a second later

 

[34]

Bunting is the best UFA signing of this past summer. Dubas gets a 10/10 on this one.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Not worth the time arguing with people on this. You know it was an amazing signing when people can only say "but but what about [insert irrelevant things here]!!"

 

[BCNate]

Add drafting Matthew Knies, Topi Niemla, Nick Robertson, Nick Abruzze, Roni Hirvonen. All picks in the 2nd-4th rounds.

Every team in the NHL has guys like this, Later round picks who are playing above their draft slot. Until they do at the NHL level, it doesn't mean a thing.

 

[BlueBaron]

My #1 target. Let’s go

Cheap Hyman replacement.

This aged really damn well for you.

People like to remind when we are wrong so I figured I'd do the reverse.

 

[Yackiberg8]

Every team in the NHL has guys like this, Later round picks who are playing above their draft slot. Until they do at the NHL level, it doesn't mean a thing.

The Leafs have 4 top 50 prospects and only 1 was drafted in the 1st round. There are 32 teams in the NHL. If every team were to have 3 top 50 prospects who weren’t first rounders that would be 96 players.

How many current top 50 prospects aren’t first rounders? 10-15? The Leafs have 3 of them. That is great drafting and not something every team has.

 

[Mugzy97]

I have zero doubt that the Leafs would have won the series if Tavares fell down a second later

Same. Zero.

 

[nturn06]

The Leafs have 4 top 50 prospects and only 1 was drafted in the 1st round. There are 32 teams in the NHL. If every team were to have 3 top 50 prospects who weren’t first rounders that would be 96 players.

How many current top 50 prospects aren’t first rounders? 10-15? The Leafs have 3 of them. That is great drafting and not something every team has.

What does top 50 prospect mean here? According to who?

I have seen some top 50 prospects lists for NHL where the Leafs have 0 prospects in top 50...

 

[AcerComputer]

Not surprised. He had 10 goals in 21 games for ARZ the previous year.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

19th goal tonight

 

[leafsfan2point0]

He’s a better fit for the Matthews/Marner combo then Hyman ever was imo.

 

[Yackiberg8]

What does top 50 prospect mean here? According to who?

I have seen some top 50 prospects lists for NHL where the Leafs have 0 prospects in top 50...

The most recent list I could find by The Hockey Writers from Jan 11. I’d say there lowest prospect on that list Matthew Knies would actually move up now. Would be interested to see the list you reference where they have 0.

 

[ACC1224]

The most recent list I could find by The Hockey Writers from Jan 11. I’d say there lowest prospect on that list Matthew Knies would actually move up now. Would be interested to see the list you reference where they have 0.

You know they mean an HF Poll.

 

[Holymakinaw]

What does top 50 prospect mean here? According to who?

I have seen some top 50 prospects lists for NHL where the Leafs have 0 prospects in top 50...

LOL. Where? Show us.

 

[mydnyte]

What does top 50 prospect mean here? According to who?

I have seen some top 50 prospects lists for NHL where the Leafs have 0 prospects in top 50...

I'll call you out on that, please post a link, and I hope its not a fan blog with today's date

 

[TopG]

Buntshow. What a stud. Guru shit by Dubas

 

[The Missing Piece]

Michael Bunting is a soon to be 26-year-old who has played 26 games in his entire career. He had an extremely short run with a ridiculous shooting percentage. Now he's supposed to be a top 6 winger on a "contender"? Desperation. Good luck with it!

Can I borrow some of your lucky charms?