Maple Leafs’ Michael Bunting Intends to Keep Playing His Game ‘I Don't Plan On Changing Because It Got Me Here'
The forward didn’t comment on the officiating following Sunday’s game which saw him receive an embellishment call and 10-minute misconduct, but Bunting doesn’t intend to change the way he plays.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting didn’t want to provide comment on the officiating from Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
The game saw Bunting land 12 minutes in penalties. The first two minutes were for embellishment following a cross-check he received from Detroit’s Jake Walman. The latter 10 minutes were for a misconduct toward the end of the second period.
Despite the perceived poor treatment from the officials, Bunting didn't bite when asked to comment about the calls. But he did say he plans on continuing to be the same player.
"I don’t plan on changing because it got me here," Bunting said. "I just have to keep focused on playing my game and not worrying about anything else."
The forward was a late bloomer to the NHL. In his first season with the Maple Leafs, he qualified as a rookie as a 25-year-old. He was drafted in the fourth round (117th overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Bunting credits playing to a level that rides the line as a key reason he reached the NHL, so it's natural not to want to change that.
He was appreciative that his coach, Sheldon Keefe, said his GM, Kyle Dubas, was going to have a conversation with the league about the calls toward the forward, but it's clear the player just wants to move past it.
“Things happen so fast. They make their calls I just have to play through them and keep on going," Bunting said. “I’m not really worried.”
Bunting will be back on a line with Auston Matthews on Tuesday as he the Leafs experiment with a loaded second line that will feature the team's other core forwards in William Nylander, John Tavares and Mitch Marner.
Figuring out Bunting's place in the lineup will be interesting as Toronto figures out it's playoff deployment. Ryan O'Reilly will be back by then and Calle Jarnkrok, who will also play with Matthews on Tuesday, has looked good in Bunting's spot when the latter was struggling offensively.
Bunting has 22 goals and 25 assists in 76 games this season.
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