After a lackluster stint in Dallas and a string of mid-season trades, the veteran winger faces an uncertain future as stagnant market interest leaves him without a home.
Training camps are about to open around the NHL, and one veteran forward still doesn't have a place to report to. Michael Bunting, who split last season between Nashville and Dallas, remains unsigned in free agency, and it's becoming a genuine question whether a contract will materialize before puck drop.
The 30-year-old Toronto native has bounced around plenty in recent years, traded in each season of his last contract, first to Pittsburgh, then Nashville, and finally to Dallas at the deadline. His stint with the Stars didn't go the way either side hoped as he managed just two points in 13 regular-season games down the stretch and added a single assist in his only playoff appearance.
His production that fell well short of expectations for a player who once scored 20-plus goals in back-to-back seasons with Toronto and to blame is a lower-body injury appeared to limit him for much of that run, and he was a healthy scratch for stretches of Dallas' first-round exit.
Make Sure You Bookmark THN's Dallas Stars Site For The Latest News, Exclusive Interviews, Breakdowns, And So Much More.
Despite the disappointing finish, the fit doesn't appear to have soured the relationship entirely. The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta reported speaking with Bunting directly this offseason, and the winger described his exit meeting with the Stars as "good and positive." Still, positive parting words haven't translated into a new deal, whether with Dallas or anywhere else.
Bunting was projected by some to land in the $4 million range on a short-term deal, a reasonable ask given his track record, but interest around the league has been seemingly quieter than expected. With Dallas already operating with no cap space as it works through other roster needs, a reunion looks unlikely unless the price comes down significantly.
For now, Bunting sits in an uncomfortable spot as camps open, either hoping a team calls with a depth need once the season gets underway, or accepting a much smaller deal than his production once suggested he'd command.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
