The Bruins should consider signing this forward to a PTO.
Now that September is almost here, NHL training camps are getting closer. Due to this, NHL teams will be starting to sign players to professional tryout (PTO) agreements more frequently.
The Washington Capitals recently got things started when they signed goalie Cal Petersen to a PTO. Could the Bruins be among the teams that sign players to PTOs next?
The Bruins have a lot of competition heading into training camp, but there would still be no harm in them looking at a player or two on a PTO. When looking at the free agents left, Michael Bunting is an interesting player who could make sense for the Bruins to bring in on a PTO.
Bunting still being a free agent comes after he had a tough season by his standards in 2025-26. In 74 games split between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, he posted 14 goals, 19 assists, and 33 points.
Yet, when looking at Bunting's resume, there is reason to believe that he could bounce back if given the chance to play for another NHL team again. Over his previous four seasons before the 2025-26 campaign, he scored at least 19 goals in each of them. He also posted at least 49 points from 2021-22 to 2023-24. This included in 2021-22 when he scored 23 goals and recorded a career-high 63 points in 79 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Furthermore, just back during the 2023-24 season, Bunting recorded 19 goals and 55 points in 81 games split between the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins. This season was not very long ago, so he could be worth taking a look at on a PTO for the Bruins.
There would be no risk in the Bruins inviting Bunting to training camp on a PTO. If they felt he wasn't a fit on their roster, they simply could release him from his PTO.
