Michael Bunting talks about what it's like to play alongside two of the best players in the world
When the Toronto Maple Leafs inked unrestricted free agent and Scarborough native Michael Bunting to a two-year, $1.9M deal this summer, I don't think anyone could have seen the season he was about to have coming.
Prior to the start of the season, Bunting appeared to be destined for a bottom six role, with fellow newcomer Nick Ritchie and veteran Alexander Kerfoot taking up the top 2 LW spots to start the season. Thanks to a catastrophic season from Ritchie and some undeniable chemistry between Kerfoot, Tavares and Nylander, it opened up a spot on the top line for Bunting to get a look. The rest, as they say, is history.
As we saw with Ritchie, it's not always easy to play with some of the league's top players - especially players who are as mobile, agile and creative as Matthews and Marner are. Needless to say, where Ritchie did not fit, Bunting found a way.
The 26-year-old leads all NHL rookies with 16 goals this season and is currently in the top 4 or 5 in the NHL's Calder Trophy race, depending on which sportsbook you deal with. Alright.. I know what you're thinking: Why is a 26-year-old even considered a rookie? Well, for starters, he meets all of the league's criteria. Also, if Artemi Panarin and Kirill Kaprizov can win a Calder Trophy in their mid-20's, why are we nitpicking about Bunting being in the race on the other side of 25?
Bunting has managed 33 points so far this season with the Buds. He's making the absolute most of his opportunity with Marner and Matthews. He's found a way to make it work and not only is he keeping up with the two superstars - he's creating chances for them as well.
On Friday, Bunting joined Sportsnet's 590 The Fan's Real Kyper and Bourne to talk shop and what it's like to play with two of the best players in the world. Here's a quote from the local kid.
It's easy to forget that this kid makes less than $1M per season with the way he plays out there. It's almost unbelievable that the Leafs have him locked up for next season at $950K as well.
A lot has been made of the fact that the Leafs have 5 players taking up over half the cap, but when you also have deals on the books like the ones Bunting, Spezza, Simmonds, Kase and others have signed, it all balances out.
Credit where credit is due; Kyle Dubas and Brandon Pridham have found a way to pull a rabbit out of a hat and provide Leafs Nation with one of the best teams we've ever seen. Hopefully they can get it done where it matters this year and go on a lengthy postseason run so we have something to cheer about past April.
