The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed last week with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks.
Winger Michael Bunting has been much travelled over the last two seasons, ever since the 29-year-old left the Toronto Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent and signing a three-year, $13.5 million contract with Carolina. Originally a fourth-round pick of Arizona, Bunting spent five seasons in the American Hockey League before getting an NHL look and scoring 10 goals in 21 games with the Coyotes at the end of the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.
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Bunting signed with his hometown Maple Leafs and former junior GM Kyle Dubas and immediately clicked as the left winger on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and his 63 points (23 goals, 40 assists) earned him a Calder Trophy nomination. The following season, he matched his goal total, and his sandpapery and antagonistic play drew the ire of the opposition and 183 penalty minutes over two seasons with Toronto, but also earned him a reputation with officials that became a negative.
After signing with the Canes, Bunting has been traded twice; to Pittsburgh in the Jake Guentzel deal, and to Nashville for Thomas Novak and Luke Schenn. In both seasons, he has continued to score, with 19 goals each season.
What Would It Cost?
Nashville is interested in bouncing back from a disastrous season after signing free agents Steven Stamkos. Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. This summer, they upgraded their blueline by swapping for defenseman Nicolas Hague and center Erik Haula, and signing Nick Perbix away from Tampa Bay.
The Preds have some youth coming, but they may not be ready this season, and took on Bunting’s $4.5 million deal in part because Novak took a big step backwards in the first year of a three-year contract extension. GM Barry Trotz may be willing to part with the veteran in the final year of his deal for a younger forward like Isak Rosen or a non-first round pick. The Sabres could use the energy generated by the rambunctious winger, and he has proven that he can plug in asc a complementary top-six winger, which is what Buffalo needs to replace Peterka on the first or second line next season.
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