Toronto Maple Leafs: The Best 5 Moves Kyle Dubas Made as GM

Former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas of the Pittsburgh Penguins attends the 2023 NHL Draft at the Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas of the Pittsburgh Penguins attends the 2023 NHL Draft at the Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 25: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)

No. 4: Michael Bunting Signing

Obviously his Soo Greyhounds connection played a huge factor in why Bunting signed in Toronto, but man, was this ever an amazing signing

Dubas signed Bunting to a two-year deal under $1M AAV, and he performed like a $5M player, probably better.

Not only was his production strong, but his hard work and grittiness is missed on this current roster.

He priced his way out of re-signing in Toronto, but the fact that the Leafs got control of this player for two years at the price he was paid was incredible.

In back-to-back seasons, Bunting scored 23 goals each year, but was one of the best players in the entire league 5v5.

Although it seems like it would be easy to find someone to play alongside Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, it was harder than it seemed until Bunting fit right in and did the job admirably

The fact that Dubas took a player who was essentially a 25-year-old rookie and saw potential as a top-line winger is crazy and he deserves a ton of credit for that opportunity and seeing it in Bunting.