Michael Bunting
Michael Bunting is coming off of his sophomore season in Toronto. The 27-year-old was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft by the Arizona Coyotes and has played in 187 games in the NHL up to this point. His best years have been in Toronto where he has put up 63 points in 79 games during the 2021-22 NHL season and 49 points in 82 games this past year. He is due for a pay raise this summer which could see him exit Toronto as they do not have a lot of cap space.
The Blackhawks could make sense for Bunting. The Hawks have the cap space to sign him to a really player friendly three or four year contract, and he could be an excellent winger to play alongside Bedard this upcoming season.
Bunting would make sense on a long term deal of three or four years, as well as on a short term contract so they can trade him at this upcoming deadline as a rental for some team. There are options for general manager Kyle Davidson to help put together a more competitive team this upcoming season while also working on the long term vision of the franchise.