Former Maple Leafs Winger Michael Bunting Out Following Car Accident
PUBLICATION
TJ Tucker
January 12, 2025 (5:15 PM)
A car accident near the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins has left former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting unable to participate in tonight's game.
Bunting, who played for the Maple Leafs for two seasons from 2021 to 2023, will not participating in the Pittsburgh Penguins game tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning after being involved in a car accident.
Pens coach Mike Sullivan told reporters of the accident following the Penguins' practice on Sunday afternoon.
Thankfully, Bunting is okay, but obviously after being involved in the accident, the former Maple Leaf is not able to play right away.
"Everybody's OK, yeah," Sullivan said. "[Bunting] was involved in it, in an accident out there. He won't play tonight, but he's OK."
So far, no details of the accident have come to light, other than the exact location.
"Prior to Sunday's contest, Bunting was involved in a multiple-car accident that took place at the intersection of Washington Place and Centre Avenue. The intersection is adjacent to PPG Paints Arena, and right next to the Epiphany Roman Catholic Church."
Bunting was involved in a game Saturday, a 5-0 nothing loss for Pittsburgh, against the Ottawa Senators, where he got into it with the Sens Nick Cousins.
After starting his NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes, Bunting became a Maple Leaf in 2021 when he signed a two-year deal with the team as a free agent following a breakout season.
After two seasons in Toronto, Bunting moved on to the Carolina Hurricanes, and was eventually brought to the Pittsburgh Penguins when former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas became the team's President of Hockey Operations and GM.
Pittsburgh had more bad news today as Evgeni Malkin was placed on injured reserve . Forward Philip Tomasino was activated from IR in the same move.
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