After his second season with the Leafs, his only two years in the NHL, Michael Bunting will likely test free agency at 28 years old. Signing with the Leafs in 2021 after several seasons buried in the Coyotes farm system, Bunting came to the Leafs and was able to produce immediately as the hometown kid - but that doesn't mean he'll stay.
After two productive seasons with the Leafs, in each scoring more than 20 goals, Bunting will be due for the raise of a lifetime, with his current deal only paying him $900k annually. According to Mike Johnson of TSN, plenty of teams around the league would be willing to give him that raise.
Johnson noted that he had spoken to other teams around the league who have liked what they've seen from Bunting - a high energy pest who is able to finish offensive chances. Even to the Leafs he's valuable in that sense, as the team doesn't have too many options at left wing, and have no options that bring the passion that Bunting consistently does.
However, if other teams are offering Bunting a contract of 6 years at $4M, the Leafs may simply be unwilling to match those offers. Perhaps Bunting could stay, but it would have to be a significant hometown discount, likely with an AAV no higher than $3.5M.
