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Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Bunting Closing in on Rookie Scoring Lead

By Mike Jack |
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 16: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his 1st goal as a Maple Leaf against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 16, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 3-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 16: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his 1st goal as a Maple Leaf against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 16, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 3-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs top-line left-winger, Michael Bunting, scored his second career hattrick on Saturday when the Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings 7-4.

The Toronto Maple Leafs rookie’s hattrick also propelled the Scarborough, Ontario native to second place among rookie goal scorers this season.  His current total of 12 goals is right behind Nashville Predators rookie, Tanner Jeannot, who has 13 goals on the season. (Stats from TSN.ca)

Bunting is also fourth in NHL rookie points so far this season with 27 points in 40 games.  He’s currently behind Moritz Seider with 29 points in 45 games, Trevor Zegras with 32 points in 41 games and Lucas Raymond with 35 points in 45 games.

As a 26 year old who played 21 NHL games last season, Michael Bunting just barely meets the NHL’s qualifications as a rookie and is eligible for the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year and the NHL All-Rookie Team this season.

Michael Bunting Most “Valuable” Player on the Toronto Maple Leafs

Michael Bunting and his $950,000 contract has the best value of any player on the Toronto Maple Leafs and is one on the best deals in the entire NHL.

His 12 goals are the fourth most on the team behind only Auston Matthews, John Tavares and William Nylander.  His 27 points are 7th on the team behind only “the core four,” Morgan Rielly and Alex Kerfoot.

When it comes to “cost per point” and “cost per goal,”  Michael Bunting dominates every player on the Toronto Maple Leafs.  His cost per point is the best on the team at $35,185/point with Jason Spezza in second place with $57,692/point, and Ondrej Kase third with $73,529/point.  It’s also 12th best cost per point in the entire NHL. (CapFriendly.com)

Bunting’s cost per goal of $79,166/goal is also the best on the Toronto Maple Leafs with Jason Spezza in second with $107,142/goal and Ondrej Kase in third with $156,250/goal.  Bunting has the 11th best cost per goal in the entire NHL.

Of all the NHL free agent players signed last off-season, the only player with a better cost per point is Anthony Deangelo with 33 points at $30,303/point on a $1 million contract.  The only free agent signing with a better cost per goal is former Toronto Maple Leafs player, Travis Boyd, with 10 goals at $75,000/goal on a $750,000 contract.

Bunting Will Be the Steal of Free Agency. dark. Next

For those who like comparing Michael Bunting with the Toronto Maple Leafs former top line left-winger, Zach Hyman: Hyman currently has 13 goals and 24 points on a $5.5 million contract.  It works out to $423,076/goal and $229,166/point.  Bunting provides more than five times the value when it comes to goals and more than six times the value in points.

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