PITTSBURGH – Ever since Patric Hornqvist was traded away from the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2020, the organization has sorely missed a particular style of play. One of Hornqvist’s specialties was driving to the front of opponent’s nets, screening goalies, and getting under competitors' skin.
After a few years, the Penguins may have finally found the perfect player to replace that missing grit. In a deal that sent Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Penguins acquired forward Michael Bunting. Bunting’s game is based on getting to the cage and causing havoc in the crease.
Bunting’s first goal in a Penguins uniform reflected exactly that mentality: get to the net and fight through bodies to score in tight.
“That’s where I like to play,” Bunting said. “I like to get to the front of the net and kind of get those greasy goals. That’s my spot. That’s where I feel comfortable.”
According to NHL Edge, 10 of Bunting’s 14 goals in the 2023-24 season came in that high-danger area around the net, and 47 shots on goal came from those locations. Getting that close has been Bunting’s bread and butter in hockey.
In his two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he scored 35 of his 46 goals from that area.
Bunting says he isn’t afraid to play in those dirty areas, and Penguins fans are seeing it already. It’s that gritty style of hockey that endeared a guy like Hornqvist to the Penguins’ fanbase, and much of the same can be expected from Bunting.
Penguins’ general manager Kyle Dubas has spoken highly of Bunting and called him an underdog regarding his path to the NHL.
“He's had a really, probably, a tougher road than anybody in our locker room to get to this point,” Dubas said. “He didn't play AAA hockey until he was 17 years old, so he's had to grind his way all the way up. He's an underdog type.”
It’s that underdog mentality that Dubas and head coach Mike Sullivan are hoping can spread throughout the locker room.
“I think we’ve got to use any means of motivation possible to be at our best,” Sullivan said. “If that’s what it takes, then so be it… Bunts is a guy that might drag us into that mindset.”
Bunting isn’t entering a great situation in Pittsburgh. Going from the Hurricanes, who could be closing in on a Stanley Cup, to the Penguins is a pretty significant downgrade. He was able to tell right away that there was some desperation.
“We’re not in a spot that we would want to be in this time of year,” Bunting said. “Guys still believe in here that we’re not out of it yet. You can tell that’s the mentality.”
The Penguins might not make the playoffs this season, but Bunting will be around for a bit longer and is sure to become the next fan favorite.
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