Michael Bunting
Michael Bunting had an incredible 2021-22 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He went from an unknown to a fan favorite rather quickly. Recording 23 goals and 40 assists for 63 points in 79 games will do that to a player.
What is more impressive is that Bunting did all that without regular powerplay time. Bunting had 58 5v5 points, sixth in the NHL, tied with Connor McDavid, in one less game.
Yes, a lot of his success was due to playing with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. But Zach Hyman had this role for a long time and was never this good.
Bunting had one of the best 5v5 seasons that an NHL player has had since advanced stats were tracked.
Bunting was given the opportunity of a lifetime by being placed on the first line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. He took advantage of the opportunity and did not disappoint. Not every player who plays with elite players explodes like this, so he does deserve credit. (Stats from naturalstattrick.com and hockey-reference.com)
Bunting’s physicality and ability to win puck battles made him the perfect replacement for Zach Hyman. He is a local kid enjoying the chance to play for his hometown team. His level of play and intensity were the same in the playoffs as in the regular season.
It’s hard to know what the Leafs will get out of Bunting going forward, but no player returned more value last year per dollar than he did.