NHL Future Watch: Michael Bunting Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple LeafsNHL Future Watch: Michael Bunting Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – Michael Bunting was drafted 117th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2014 NHL Draft. The 6’0”, 185 winger took a long path to the NHL since his draft days.

In 2014-15, Bunting had a big year with the Soo Greyhounds. He scored 74 points in the regular season and 14 in 14 playoff games. It was a great season that made the Coyotes feel really good about the prospect at the time. The GM, Kyle Dubas, left before Bunting’s big season began, but he saw the development.

In 2016-17, Bunting was playing in the AHL full time with the Tucson Roadrunners.  He would spend five seasons there, including the pandemic. He was called up to the Coyotes a few times. Bunting scored 85 goals with 205 points in 323 games. These are good numbers and yet, he didn’t stick.

In the 56-game season in 2020-21, Bunting scored 10 goals in 21 games. He only had three assists, but that kind of goal scoring output was noticeable. While it still doesn’t make sense, it wasn’t enough for the Coyotes to retain him.

The Maple Leafs signed Bunting to a two-year deal, in an effort to replace the loss of Zach Hyman who went to the Edmonton Oilers. That means on the top line next to Auston Matthews. In the early part of the season, it’s been working. Bunting is a smart player; he has some speed, and his hands are good. He plays hard, can set up his linemates, and receive. Much has been made about this emerging talent.

Bunting is making it in Toronto, helping the Leafs perform as one of the best teams in the league so far. Additionally, the fact that Toronto fans will be looking for his cards raises his collectability.

 

NHL Future Watch: Michael Bunting Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – Cards Worth Chasing

Collectors can shoot for his 2020-21 Upper Deck Young Guns Rookie Card that was in Upper Deck Extended Series. He is pictured in his Arizona Coyotes sweater.

A variation Young Guns Rookie Card of his is the rainbow foil. It has a cool speckled look that really brings out the shot of him and the opposition. These cards are rare and pricey on the secondary market.

Another choice from his AHL days in 2020-21 Upper Deck AHL Hockey. This card shows him getting ready during a face-off situation.

 

NHL Future Watch: Michael Bunting Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – Stats

NHL Standard career statistics
Scoring Goals Assists Shots Ice Time
Season Age Tm Lg GP G A PTS +/- PIM EV PP SH GW EV PP SH S S% TSA TOI ATOI FOW FOL FO% BLK HIT TK GV Awards
2018-19 23 ARI NHL 5 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 20.0 11 48 9:33 0 0 1 6 0 0
2020-21 25 ARI NHL 21 10 3 13 -1 12 7 3 0 1 3 0 0 38 26.3 62 351 16:42 7 5 58.3 1 28 9 5
2021-22 26 TOR NHL 30 7 12 19 0 24 5 2 0 1 11 1 0 62 11.3 109 442 14:45 1 2 33.3 5 28 11 7
2 yrs ARI NHL 26 11 3 14 -1 14 8 3 0 1 3 0 0 43 25.6 73 398 15:19 7 5 58.3 2 34 9 5
1 yr TOR NHL 30 7 12 19 0 24 5 2 0 1 11 1 0 62 11.3 109 442 14:45 1 2 33.3 5 28 11 7
Career 3 yrs NHL 56 18 15 33 -1 38 13 5 0 2 14 1 0 105 17.1 182 841 15:01 8 7 53.3 7 62 20 12
Provided by Hockey-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/15/2021.

 

NHL Future Watch: Michael Bunting Hockey Cards, Toronto Maple Leafs – More Resources

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For more from Russ Cohen, follow him on Twitter @sportsology.

Russ Cohen is the author of several top-selling sports related books.

Baseball’s Best Rookies
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mets: The Biggest Numbers in Mets History
100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters
100 Things Rangers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
“Strike Three!” – A Player’s Journey through the Infamous Baseball Strike of 1994
The Winter Classic: The NHL’s Savior
The Philadelphia Flyers: Images of Sports
Pioneers of Baseball

Russ Cohen

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