Even with a new negotiator at the helm, it's become evident that the pending unrestricted free agent is destined to play elsewhere next season.

Brad Treliving has had a lot on his to-do list since becoming general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

But it appears that list, as of now, has not included engaging with pending free agent Michael Bunting. 

"I have not heard from Brad Treliving or had any discussions regarding Michael Bunting as of today," agent Paul Capizzano told The Hockey News on Friday. 

In his end-of-season availability with media last month, Bunting admitted there were no contract talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs about an extension at any point during the regular season.

Five days later, the man who would have been on the other side of those negotiations — Kyle Dubas — was dismissed as general manager of the club.

Although some radio silence was expected in the interim as Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan quickly went to work on finding Dubas' replacement, some clarity was expected once Treliving was officially named as the new GM of the club on May 31.

And Treliving has certainly been busy. He identified his top priority as meeting with Auston Matthews, who is eligible to sign a contract extension with the club as soon as July 1. A decision still has to be made (if it hasn't already) on head coach Sheldon Keefe, who has one more season remaining on his contract.

Treliving announced his first hire on Friday by convincing Shane Doan to leave the Arizona Coyotes, the only NHL franchise he has ever known both on and off the ice, to become a Special Advisor with the Maple Leafs.

He has reportedly engaged in talks with some of his free agents, including Luke Schenn. But the lack of discussion from Treliving and Bunting's camp is notable. Even if Treliving has only been on the job for 10 days.

Treliving was insistent during his introductory press conference on May 31 that he would not negotiate through the media and he stuck to that policy by declining to comment on the matter when reached by The Hockey News.

Bunting signed a two-year, $1.9-million contract with the Maple Leafs in 2021 and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy in 2021-22 when he scored 23 goals and added 40 points in 79 games. He followed it up by matching his 23-goal output in his second year with the Leafs. But last season, he struggled to stay atop the first line alongside Matthews. And in the playoffs, a three-game suspension limited his impact in a first-round win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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Since then, any talks of a possible extension have quieted.

It, of course, doesn't help that the Maple Leafs are so tight up against the cap. Or that Bunting is in line for a significant raise.

According to CapFriendly.com, the Leafs have 15 of 23 players committed for next season with just over $9 million available to spend. That number can increase by $5.625 million if veteran defenceman Jake Muzzin remains on long-term injured reserve and perhaps more if they find takers for backup-turned-third string goaltender Matt Murray and his $4.875-million cap hit.

It's not clear what Bunting might be looking for in an extension. But based on the two-year, $8.5-million deal that Anthony Athanasiou recently signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, it's clear to both sides that Buntin appears to have priced himself out of Toronto.

Bunting can begin talking to other teams in three weeks. Things can change between now and then. But all signs point to the Scarborough, Ont., native departing his hometown come July 1.

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