Bruins Should Only Offer Michael Bunting a PTO

The former Soo Greyhound was a benefactor of former Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas after falling through the cracks of the Arizona Coyotes system. Bunting played 26 games in two seasons and recorded 14 points.

No one had him slated for a breakout, but being placed alongside elite NHL forwards put him on the path for top-six production. In 2022-23, he played on the same line as Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner for 28 games, where the trio produced 12 goals and had a Corsi for percentage of 55.47, an underlying stat that accounts for puck possession. The higher the percentage, the better chances to score (expected goals percentage of 56.13).

However, since he’s exited Toronto, his production has waned, along with his star, which shone so brightly, so quickly. Bunting, without linemates such as Matthews, Marner, and William Nylander, found it difficult to be the caliber of forward that we’d known him to be.

2025-26: A Season of Disappointment

Bunting played 74 games split between the Dallas Stars (13) and Nashville Predators (61); his offensive output hasn’t been able to match his career-years in Toronto, recording 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists).

After 418 games in the NHL, he’d found himself as a forward who would be useful in an NHL team’s bottom six. But would he fit into the Bruins’ bottom six?

Is a late bloomer whose ability to put the puck in the net in the minors finally earned him a chance to play in the NHL. He has a history of being a point producer as well as a defensively responsible forward who can win loose pucks and battles along the boards. He has to show more consistency to maximize his usefulness. – Sportsforecaster

Bunting offers an intriguing option for the Bruins; they could offer him a professional tryout (PTO) and see what he’s capable of compared to the roster, which features tough customers in Mark Kastelic and Tanner Jeannot on the fourth line.

The Bruins’ bottom-six is set, but having flexibility with an added 13th forward could be a good long-term plan for what looks to be a grueling 84-game season.

The thought of Bunting being a serviceable forward for the Bruins is an intriguing option, but when it comes to being a grinder, I don’t think he’d be a great fit. He has never been able to top his career-high 85 hits and 103 penalty minutes in Toronto.

Final Verdict: Offer a PTO and Keep Him on Reserve

Bunting could prove useful, as someone hungry to stay in the NHL. While he’d never be able to crack the top-six in Boston unless surrounded by elite forwards, he’d be best utilized in reserve, or as a call-up from Providence.