Former Maple Leafs Michael Bunting reveals why he chose to leave Toronto and sign elsewhere
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost forward Michael Bunting last summer to the free agency market. The 28 year old signed a deal three-year deal valued at $4,500,000 AAV with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Bunting Opens Up on Why he Left the Toronto Maple Leafs
With all the changes that were going down in the Maple Leafs organization, there was a lot of mystery surrounding the players' future in the team. There were a lot of free agents to deal with. Many ended up leaving, including Ryan O' Reilly and Michael Bunting.
Bunting opened up in a recent interview about his thought process when he signed with the Hurricanes:
With a lot of things that were switching up with the organization, I didn't know where I would stand. It was back-and-forth and then July 1st hits and I've got to make a decision... early in the summer, there wasn't really a firm offer. Just preliminary talks and I had to make a decision that was best for me at that time."
Treliving ended up adding Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Reaves and Max Domi to fill the void.
A Great Start for Bunting with the Caroline Hurricanes
When he joined the Hurricanes, there were many questions surrounding his ability to keep the same rhythm without Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, his Leafs' linemates.
He showed that he can still contribute to the team. Even if the Canes are very focused on defense this season, he's managed to get 31 points in 47 games.
At this pace, he shouldn't be able to reach his career-high 63 points from 2021-22, but he could beat the 49 he scored last year.
He should play a key role for the team in the playoffs.
Do you think the Hurricanes will reach the Stanley Cup Final this season?
As seen on Maple Leafs Daily - Bunting admits that it was his decision to leave Toronto, reveals why he chose to sign in Carolina
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Hurricanes will reach the Stanley Cup Final this season? | ||
| Yes | 167 | 18.2 % |
| No | 752 | 81.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
