The Toronto Maple Leafs are fully focused on their push towards the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but there is some off-ice work that needs to be taken care of as well.
Looking ahead to free agency, the Maple Leafs have a total of nine UFA's that could test the market and arguably the biggest one they have is forward Michael Bunting.
According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Maple Leafs have reached out to Michael Bunting's camp for preliminary talks about the 27-year-old and his next contract.
"Hearing that the Leafs this week have touched based with Michael Bunting's camp, a very, very preliminary chat about the pending UFA and next contract. Nothing concrete yet. Unclear where this goes at this point." LeBrun said in a tweet.
Bunting, a native of Scarborough (Ontario), is in his second season with the Maple Leafs and is looking to replicate the success he has last year. In 37 games so far this season, Bunting has 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists), 44 penalty minutes and is a plus-19.
Hearing that the Leafs this week have touched based with Michael Bunting's camp, a very, very preliminary chat about the pending UFA and next contract. Nothing concrete yet. Unclear where this goes at this point.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 3, 2023
How many years should the Maple Leafs extend Bunting for?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Mark Recchi fired by the Columbus Blue Jackets: future unknown
