Excellent signing of Michaeal Bunting by the 'Canes.
He's a 'fire starter' with good wheels, quickness and intensity.
Article:
Contract grade: A-
Fit grade: B
Dom Luszczyszyn: The rich get richer and it’s because they’ve positioned themselves well with smart, flexible contracts. If a savvy team like the Hurricanes are willing to splurge on free agency on a player, you have a good feeling that it’s still a signing with positive expected value. Michael Bunting absolutely fits that bill.
Bunting’s numbers are obviously inflated a bit by how much time he’s spent next to Toronto’s stars — but that’s not a complete one-way relationship. Toronto’s best players thrived with
Zach Hyman first and then did the same with Bunting and it’s because both players had the same ability to thrive as The Third Guy on a high-profile line. Hyman only amplified that further in Edmonton and it’s likely Bunting can keep providing strong value on a Carolina team that has
Sebastian Aho and
Andrei Svechnikov at the top of the lineup. Those two aren’t Auston Matthews and
Mitch Marner, but the point is Bunting should fit very well in Carolina.
Bunting is a terrific grinder with skill and someone who can produce at a very efficient degree. Over the last three seasons, he’s scored 2.49 points per 60 at five-on-five, one of the highest marks in the league and he’s an excellent offensive driver. Not a primary one, but there’s no doubt he helps. His ability to apply pressure off the forecheck is among the league’s best and that fits perfectly with Carolina’s system where it’s constant pressure all the time.
Bunting is a bona fide top-six forward and a great fit with the Hurricanes.
theathletic.com