3 Players Toronto Maple Leafs Should Let Walk In Free Agency

Toronto Maple Leafs UFA to Walk No. 1: Michael Bunting

As previously mentioned, Bunting is someone who will be very wanted this offseason.

When he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs two years ago, he was an unknown late-blooming prospect we didn’t expect much from.

Nick Ritchie was the hot left-winger signing that offseason and it was speculated that Ritchie would play alongside Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, when in fact, that role was given, and earned, by Bunting.

After Zach Hyman left, the Leafs didn’t have a first-line left-winger to play alongside their two All-Star’s, but Bunting fit that role perfectly for two seasons.

His second season wasn’t as effective as Year 1 but he continued to overdeliver, especially on a contract that paid him less than $1M.

There’s no doubt that the players, and fans, would love to see Bunting back in the organization, but his price is going to be too high.

You could argue that a $3.5M contract would replace Alex Kerfoot perfectly, but that’s too much for Bunting.

Calle Jarnkrok has shown that he can play alongside Matthews and Marner, so he seems like a natural fit to slide into that role.

It was a great run by Bunting, especially since he’s a local player, but unless his price-point stays similar to this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs should let him walk.