TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 27: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 27, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
When free agency opened on July 1, the Carolina Hurricanes were front and center. Several players re-signed with the team, and a few new names were added. Among those fresh faces was 27-year-old winger Michael Bunting.
Drafted in the 4th round by the Arizona Coyotes in 2014, Bunting took his time making it to the NHL, debuting in Boston with the Coyotes on December 11, 2018, scoring his first NHL goal in the same game.