It's been a few years, but the Pittsburgh Penguins have finally found a net-front presence for their top six. That's not to say that they haven't had players score around the crease, but Michael Bunting plays the net front area like few other Penguins have in the past several seasons.
Bunting has played in a half dozen games for the Penguins since being traded as part of the return for Jake Guentzel. He may still be adjusting to his new team and teammates, but one part of his game is universally understood.
According to NHL Edge, 11 of Bunting's 15 goals and 40 percent of his shots on goal this season have come from in or around the crease, otherwise known as the high-danger area of the ice.
His willingness to consistently contend in the net front is uncommon among Penguins forwards since the departure of Patric Hornqvist. A player Bunting was compared to by head coach Mike Sullivan over the weekend.
That style translates well with top centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, hence why Bunting has spent multiple games with both. Bunting's offensive output is impressive with both centers (over four expected goals per 60 minutes), making him a potentially pivotal piece of the Penguins plan passed this season.
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