Flyers add some scoring depth by signing veteran sparkplug Michael Bunting
Bunting, 31, had 14 goals last season split between Dallas and Nashville. He previously played 26 games for Rick Tocchet in Arizona, in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
TAMPA, Fla. ― Needing a jolt to their lineup, the Flyers went outside the organization — kind of — to bring in a sparkplug.
0n Tuesday the Flyers inked veteran forward Michael Bunting to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
A biting left winger who plays on the edge and is known for his high-compete level and scoring touch, Bunting is a familiar face to coach Rick Tocchet and Christian Dvorak from Arizona, assistant coach Todd Reirden and forward Noel Acciari from their days in Pittsburgh, and goalie Joseph Woll in Toronto.
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Selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft by the Arizona Coyotes, Bunting played 26 games under Tocchet across two seasons, notching 11 goals and 14 points. Since then, he’s played on five teams, including the Maple Leafs, where he had his best seasons.
Still considered a rookie due to the small number of games he had played when he went home — he is a native of Scarborough, Ontario, which is part of Toronto — Bunting was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2022. The then-26-year-old led all rookies with 63 points across 79 games. He tied Trevor Zegras and Lucas Raymond for second in rookie goals with 23 and bested Zegras by two points for the rookie scoring title. Bunting notched 23 goals again in 2023 with the Leafs.
Last season, he racked up 13 goals and 31 points in 61 games with the Nashville Predators before being acquired by the Dallas Stars for a 2026 third-round pick the day before the trade deadline. He played 13 regular-season and one playoff game with the Stars as he dealt with a groin injury.
The Flyers hope the 31-year-old Bunting can provide a spark to their anemic offense. A competitor known to drive to the net and muck it up in front, he has 252 points (109 goals, 143 assists) in 418 career games. Per 82 games, Bunting has averaged 21 goals, 49 points, 67 penalty minutes, and 165 shots on goal for his career.
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Bunting could be an alternative to Carl Grundström at left wing on the fourth line to start. Alex Bump, who has been moved around the lineup and was a healthy scratch Monday night, might benefit from more regular game time and an expanded role in the American Hockey League. Neither he nor Grundström (already cleared) would require waivers if optioned to Lehigh Valley to make room for Bunting.
This is a developing story. Please check back for further updates.
