The Toronto Maple Leafs may not have made any big splashes in free agency, but they appear to be having the offseason that they need, rather than the offseason that fans want.
One such signing that is reflective of that is the 2-year, $950K AAV deal that UFA forward
Michael Bunting signed with the Leafs on day one of free agency.
Bunting may not be a household name yet, but he did turn plenty of heads for the Arizona Coyotes last season when he turned a 21-game stint into a bit of a skills showcase for teams who may have interest in his services as a free agent.
The 25-year-old Scarborough, ON native managed to find the back of the net 10 times in those 26 games, shooting a little over 26%, though that is not exactly sustainable.
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Bunting has a good attitude, plays hard, has an engine that just doesn't quit and has no problem playing in all of the tougher areas, despite his 5'11 frame.
On Thursday, the newly-acquired Leaf spoke with the media, revealing that he had entertained multiple offers and chose to take less to sign in Toronto. He also took some time to explain to Leafs Nation who he is as a player and what they can expect from him over the next two seasons.
"I had multiple teams reach out to me," Bunting said on Thursday. "Some of the offers where higher than Toronto's but the opportunity I had to come home and play for my team and compete for a Stanley Cup, that was definitely worth the pay cut in my mind," he continued.
"I took every opportunity and I grabbed it," Bunting said, with regard to his time spent in Arizona last season. "I'm the type of guy that goes to the net, goes to those dirty areas and I don't back down from other teams' players."
Some have examined Bunting's playing-style and compare it to Boston Bruins forward
Brad Marchand - something that Bunting doesn't seem to mind in the slightest.
"Even in the GTHL days," Bunting began, "I'd say I was a rat out there. But when I'm playing my best, I'm under the other team's skin and I'm getting in their face and that's just how I get involved and I really enjoy playing that role," he concluded.
The Leafs may have plucked a gem in free agency here, as Bunting appears to have the makings of a real player. If he can bring that pest mentality into the Leafs' lineup every night and get under the opposition's skin and drag his team into the fight, those are the types of moves that can make a profound impact on a team.
Bunting could wind up being an impact player for this team for at least the next two seasons, perhaps even in a top-six role - and for $950K, he could end up being an absolute steal for the Buds.
It's still early, but this looks like a tidy piece of work by Leafs GM Kyle Dubas.
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