Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Bunting Will Be a Key Factor in the Playoffs

When the playoffs start, there’s no doubt that Michael Bunting will be the Toronto Maple Leafs x-factor.

Over the past few years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been on the wrong side of every playoff series and it’s typically been because of one player on the opposition. Last year, Nick Paul ruined their season, then the season prior, it was Carey Price.

For whatever reason, the Leafs haven’t had a player step up and have the game of their lives in the biggest moment of the season yet, but this year could be different.

Michael Bunting’s name has been in the news over the past 48 hours and it hasn’t been for a great reason. Instead, it’s been because he was awarded 10-minute misconduct in the game against the Detroit Red Wings when he didn’t start the fight.

Bunting’s story is a lot like the “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” He’s had a reputation across the league as a player that chirps a lot and is involved in a lot of scrums. As a result of those scrums and the chirps against players and officials, Bunting’s reputation is one who “cries” a lot.

There have been countless examples of it all year and Bunting continues to not get calls against him as a result. It’s not particularly fair but that’s just something that comes with chirping a lot.

When you’re always talking and trying to cause a reaction, it’s easy to assume that the player is over-selling it, when in fact he’s getting abused.

However, enough is enough and the refs need to change their attitude towards him.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Bunting Will Be a Key Factor in the Playoffs

Since the Toronto Maple Leafs went public with their reaction to Bunting’s 10-minute misconduct on Sunday night, I think the referees will actually change how they officiate him. When the biggest hockey market in the world puts a focus on the officiating, I think it can make a difference and that statement will help Bunting be a force in the playoffs.

There are not too many other players on the Leafs with the attributes of Bunting. There are players that much more skillful than him, but his ability to get under the opposition’s skin will be huge in the playoffs. The only other player on the Leafs like this is Wayne Simmonds, but he unfortunately won’t be playing much, if not at all.

Bunting is always talking and he can back it up as well. He shouldn’t change the way he plays or how he talks, but instead should embrace that in the playoffs. Now that the referees are on-notice, it could lead to a big penalty in the playoffs.

I can picture Bunting in a scrum right now chirping away and saying something that leads to the opposition either slashing him or high-sticking him, which results in a power-play. Then on that power-play, Bunting is the one who scores and makes Scotiabank Arena erupt into a frenzy.

Bunting has an opportunity to be remembered like a Darcy Tucker and it starts in two weeks when the Toronto Maple Leafs face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the playoffs.