Bunting already training for next season to show this year wasn't a fluke
Last off-season, the Leafs and GM Kyle Dubas rolled the dice and took a chance on the 26-year-old rookie Michael Bunting. They signed him to a 2-year deal worth $950K per season. After a slow start, Bunting found his game skating alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, forming one of the most potent top lines in hockey.
In what was officially his rookie season, Bunting broke out and put up 23 goals and 40 assists for 63 points to lead all rookies. Of course, skating alongside Matthews and Marner helps, but the Leafs were unsure if Bunting would be able to fill the role previously held by the departed Zach Hyman. Not only did Bunting fill the role, he did more with the opportunity. While Hyman wasn't scared to go into the corners or in front of the net, he never had the type of antagonistic play that Bunting has. Bunting thrives by getting under the opponents' skin, which is why he was near the top of the league in penalties drawn.
In Tampa at the NHL Awards earlier this week Bunting was excited for next season saying, "I can't wait for this season to start. I want to get it going, even though we have quite some time to go until training camp."
Eager to get going, Bunting has already been back in the gym for a few weeks and is preparing to begin skating at the start of July. When asked about his training Bunting said, "I have to show that this year was not a fluke. I have to be consistent because that's what good hockey players do. They do it every single year. So definitely, I have to take my game up a level. I can't be comfortable with what I did."
Bunting will become eligible for a contract extension on July 13th, so it will be interesting to see whether Dubas and company try to lock him up long-term straight away or if they wait to see how he handles his second year in Toronto before committing to him beyond next season.
