Michael Bunting
Michael Bunting was once considered the best player in a rough free agent class. Then, he had a dreadful playoff that included a three-game suspension. The Maple Leafs ended up winning the Tampa Bay Lightning series without him, the first series win for the Leafs in almost two decades.
Now, the Maple Leafs are letting Bunting go for nothing. They went from having the hottest free agent on the market to having no interest in even talking to him. At one point, it looked like Bunting would sign for $6 million per season or more. Now, it looks like it could be half of that.
Could Tom Fitzgerald see Bunting as a bargain now? It’s definitely possible. The Devils have a similar setup to the Maple Leafs, so Bunting could thrive in the Garden State. He’s a tough, two-way forward with grit that could add a certain attitude to the top six. He’s coming off his best season, and he’s entering his prime.
Bunting could easily sign a three-year deal, where he gets progressively better as time goes on. Could Buntin eventually be a 60 or 70-point player? Could he score 30 goals? Imagine if he’s on Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier’s wing. He could really do damage.