PITTSBURGH – It didn’t take long for fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins to learn what kind of hockey player Michael Bunting is. As the NHL-level piece coming to the Penguins in return for Jake Guentzel, Bunting is in prime position to become a fan favorite.
It’s Bunting’s style of play that should appeal to the Penguins’ faithful and has already proven successful on more than one occasion. Bunting likes attacking opponent’s goal creases and being a big body in front of the net. Scoring dirty goals from down low is what sets Bunting apart from most.
In six games with the Penguins, Bunting already has a pair of goals, and both of them have come in a similar fashion. Within a few feet from the opposing goal crease with a defender draped all over him.
Following the win over the Detroit Red Wings, head coach Mike Sullivan compared Bunting’s game to that of a former Penguins fan favorite and Stanley Cup champion.
“He has a semblance of Patric Hornqvist,” Sullivan said. “His ability to get to the blue paint. Make the goalie’s life difficult.”
Hornqvist put together a solid career off banging and crashing around the net. A solid net-front presence is something the Penguins have been missing since Hornqvist left in 2020.
The Penguins have seen certain names try to fill that role, but nothing has met the standard Hornqvist set. Bunting might reach those levels for the Penguins.
“We’ve had a number of guys over the years that I think are pretty good in that area,” Sullivan said. “Maybe Bunts is a guy that’s a little bit like Horny was back in the day. Those guys, they thrive, and they go there an awful lot.”
Bunting may never fill the 40-goal shoes that Guentzel has left open, but if he can bring a lot of what Hornqvist could during his time in Pittsburgh, there’s no question he will be a helpful piece.
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