A well-travelled, versatile forward, Michael Bunting has played for the Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Dallas Stars in his seven NHL seasons.
Bunting completed a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.5 million. That was likely the most lucrative deal he’ll have in his career, as he’s gone from the giddy heights of first-line duty during his tenure with the Maple Leafs to seeing checking-line duty with the Stars.
Now 30, Bunting still has value as a physical checking forward who can skate on either wing and has a decent scoring touch. His experience and adaptability after bouncing around the league could land him a one-year, $2.5 million deal with an NHL club seeking help among their bottom-six forwards.