The Leafs would be wise to pull the trigger on an extension for one of their forwards ASAP; it's not Auston Matthews
Last off-season, the Leafs took a chance on a player that Dubas knew through his time in the Soo as GM of the Greyhounds and signed Michael Bunting to a 2-year deal worth $950K, annually. At the time, the Leafs weren't expecting him to take over the left wing spot next to Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but that's exactly what he did.
At the time of signing his deal with the Leafs, Bunting said, "The communication I had with Kyle and Sheldon and the opportunity that I had to come home and play for my team and compete for a Stanley Cup was worth the pay cut in mind. I definitely do not regret my decision and I'm looking forward to getting it going." Knowing he took a pay cut once to come home to Toronto, maybe he will take another one to stay.
Bunting started last season moving up and down the lineup and then found his spot and chemistry on the top line once November came around. From there he went on to post 23 goals and 63 points and was nominated for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year. No one knows if Bunting will be able to replicate his success last season, but the odds are pretty good playing next to two of the Leafs' superstars and that's why the Leafs should take the gamble and sign him now - even if it means a higher AAV than some are comfortable with up front. It could end up being a steal after this season, especially if Matthews and Marner can carry over their momentum from the second half of last season into the upcoming campaign.
Should the Leafs wait until the end of the season or even part way through, they are taking a gamble on Bunting replicating or having even more success, which would come with an even bigger price tag on any extension. Keeping Bunting in the fold can only help with extending Matthews next offseason as a revolving door of buy and try wingers probably isn't the answer. Plus, Bunting and Matthews are close.
As David Alter asked in his piece, is Bunting to Matthews what Chris Kunitz was to Sidney Crosby all those years? After one season with them playing together it sure looks like it.
| POLL | ||
2 AOUT | 665 ANSWERS The Leafs would be wise to pull the trigger on an extension for one of their forwards ASAP; it's not Auston Matthews What's the most you'd be comfortable paying Michael Bunting if he was a 55-65 point winger? | ||
| $6M per season or more | 45 | 6.8 % |
| $5.5M per season | 90 | 13.5 % |
| $4.5M per season | 225 | 33.8 % |
| $4M per season or less | 305 | 45.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
