Grading the Leafs: Michael Bunting
In my first two editions of "Grading the Leafs", I set my sights on captain John Tavares (Grade: A) and winger Nick Ritchie (Grade: D). This time around, we're going to focus on winger Michael Bunting.
Bunting, in large, has exceeded expectations for the Leafs since signing a two-year, $1.9M deal as a free agent this summer. The Scarborough, Ontario native only had 26 games of NHL experience under his belt at the time of his deal, but had apparently turned down more money elsewhere to come home and play for the team he had grown up cheering for.
The 26-year-old seemingly came out of nowhere last season, scoring 10 goals and 13 points in 21 games as a 25-year-old for the Arizona Coyotes. Expectations were certainly tempered within the Leafs' organization, but the fanbase, as they tend to do, became pretty hyped up about Bunting and the possibilities of bringing in a player who shot over 26% last year.
Well, Bunting's shooting percentage has come down considerably this season, currently resting at a more modest 11.3%, but fans should be rightfully hyped about Bunting for another reason. The energetic winger is a relentless worker who thrives by getting under the skin of the opposition. He models his game after players like Montreal's Brendan Gallagher and Boston's Brad Marchand, causing chaos every time he steps foot on the ice, drawing a ton of penalties along the way.
Bunting has played up and down the lineup, but so far has found some solid success alongside Auston Matthews on the Leafs' top line. Once Mitch Marner returns to the lineup (and it should be soon), Bunting will be playing with two guys who can really inflate his offensive totals.
Add to all that the fact that his possession metrics have been very good this season and the Leafs appear to have found another diamond in the rough after losing Zach Hyman to Edmonton in free agency.
Grade: A
Bunting adds a lot of dimensions that the Leafs have been missing, and his ability to draw penalties has allowed the Leafs' powerplay to go to work.
His "rat" mentality disrupts the opposition's game plan and allows the Leafs to impose theirs. Simply put, Bunting has been a very solid contributor, both offensively and from an intangibles perspective.
Hopefully Bunting and the Leafs can pick up right where they left off, adding to their 2-game winning streak when play resumes for them in the new year.
