The Case for the Panthers to Sign Michael Bunting

On Tuesday (Sept. 16), Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced at his training camp press conference that Brad Marchand will miss the start of the season recovering from offseason surgery. The Panthers might now be looking for short-term reinforcements, but they could also find a long-term fit.

One possible solution, considering he would come in on a relatively inexpensive contract, is unrestricted free agent Michael Bunting. The winger has had stints with the Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Dallas Stars since he joined the league in 2018-19. Could a stop in South Florida be in the cards?

Given the late date and how close the Panthers are to the salary cap, Bunting could be a low-risk, high-reward addition on a low-cost salary. He could sign a league-minimum deal for one season, given that he remains without a deal with training camp already underway. It’s possible management offers him a professional tryout (PTO) deal, and he works to earn a contract, but there has been no news on that front.

2025-26 Season Stats

Last season, Bunting appeared in 74 games between the Predators and Stars, finishing with 14 goals, including 13 in 61 games with Nashville, and 19 assists along with 20 penalty minutes and a minus-7 rating. It wasn’t his best offensive campaign, but he played a solid depth role, which is the same role he’d play in Florida. His best offensive seasons came during his time with the Maple Leafs when he played primarily in the top six.

Career Playoff Stats

In 14 playoff games, also mostly with Toronto, he registered two goals and six points. However, he plays a physical game in the postseason, posting 19 penalty minutes and 26 hits. Given his playoff success, he would be the perfect depth addition. His spot in the lineup would most likely be on the third or fourth line on the left side, depending on Brad Marchand‘s status.

Career Offensive Productions

Bunting’s career highlights include scoring 20 or more goals twice, in 2021-22 and 2022-23 with the Maple Leafs. He has shown he can produce down the lineup, contributing another four seasons with 10 or more goals across his stops. He had a 14-goal season in 2024-25 with the Penguins. He also registered 13 goals in the 2023-24 season with the Carolina Hurricanes. In 2020-21, his rookie season with the Arizona Coyotes, he put up 10 goals in 21 games.

Panthers and Bunting: A Stylistic Match

The main reasons Bunting would be a perfect fit with the Panthers are his physical game and the hard-nosed, rat-style play that is similar to Marchand’s. He fits the mold and ethos of an organization looking for another run at the Stanley Cup.

Bunting, as a left winger, is a clear fit to fill in for Marchand on the third line alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. He plays with a relentless attack and can get under the opponent’s skin. Those skills, along with his ability to score goals, should make him a solid injury fill-in, and he might even establish a full-time role for himself when Marchand returns.

Without much cap space, the Panthers need to find affordable options who can fill in for injuries like Marchand’s. However, Bunting’s style of play could fit perfectly with the Panthers, and he might finally find a long-term home after multiple seasons joining new teams. If he is willing to take a significant pay cut from the $4.5 million he was making annually on his last deal, this could be an ideal match for both Bunting and Florida.