Maple Leafs Come To a Final Decision on Michael Bunting

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Austin Kelly
June 23, 2023 (10:16)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to know the fate of pending UFA Michael Bunting, according to reports.

Leafs reportedly have already figured out their plans for Bunting

According to TSN's Chris Johnston, the mood of the Maple Leafs front office is that re-signing Bunting is a difficult ask, and the assumption appears more likely than not that Bunting appears poised to not return to Toronto.

The Leafs, already in a frugal cap situation, may not be able to afford Bunting's desired salary, even if the forward wishes to return, according to Johnston.

"The Leafs have not formally closed the door on Bunting but they feel that it's going to be a busy marketplace for him and it will be hard to keep him.»

Johnston also stated that Bunting, a hometown player, would like to re-sign in Toronto, but that there haven't been any "substantial negotiations" that have put a deal near the finish line.

Bunting, who had 23 Goals and 49 Points this season with Toronto, was signed as a value player for $950K by the Leafs to replace Zach Hyman, who similarly left Toronto for the Edmonton Oilers due to the inability to work a deal within the Leafs tight budget.

If he doesn't re-sign, Bunting will enter free agency as one of the top Forwards on the market, and one of the better young options on the board for a team looking for a glue piece to help compliment a talented offensive group.

While Toronto would love to have Bunting back, it appears his future just isn't within their price range.

Read more at HockeyFeed - Huge issues surface for Michael Bunting!