Michael Bunting open to negotiations with Maple Leafs: “This is my home”

MONTRÉAL – Michael Bunting is probably not the straightest face at the poker table.

On the opening night of UFA’s upcoming critical contract season, Bunting couldn’t help but shake his hand as he and the Toronto Maple Leafs drew closer to a decision on his future.

There is no bluffing when it comes to how the Scarborough kid wants his next trial to go.

“I’m a boy from Toronto. I love playing for the Maple Leafs. This is my home. I grew up in Scarborough and yes it’s so much fun to put on that sweater every night. That’s what I’ll say about that, and I hope the rest will fall into place,” Bunting said after Wednesday’s optional skating session at the Bell Centre.

Complementary Leafs skaters who over-fulfil their contracts have a hard time staying anything other than “rent their own” in the Kyle Dubas era.

Zach Hyman, Jack Campbell and Ilya Mikheyev are some examples of athletes who have benefited from team-friendly salaries for the blue-and-whites but have had to look elsewhere for their long-term bliss as unrestricted free agents.

The situation of the late blooming bunting feels a little different.

First, off the ice, Bunting has a close relationship and seamless chemistry with franchise star Auston Matthews – who the organization will seek to sign on long-term on July 1. Why shouldn’t a serious commitment to Bunting double as a sale? Point to keep Matthews close?

Second, he’s a candidate for a slight home discount, proving his willingness to accept a value deal to come home as UFA in summer 2021.

The Leafs are ramping up the top winger’s two-year deal at an AAV of $950,000 like bandits. Bunting has 23 goals, 63 points and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season.

Running with Matthews and Mitch Marner, he is now a fixture on arguably the most dangerous line in hockey.

“For him, the challenge is not to commit to anything other than what he can control,” says coach Sheldon Keefe. “At the start of last season there were a lot of question marks: Can he establish himself in the NHL?

“Now Bunts has clearly established himself as a successful player and an integral part of a very successful lineage for us. Now the teams know who he is. You respect his game. The officials (also) know who he is.”

Bunting is an Agitator Supreme. The advantage he brings to a talented lineup is unique. He takes a lot of penalties and helps knock the NHL’s #1 powerplay unit down the boards. But he was also fined last season for a $2,000 beautification penalty.

He is more confident about his place in the squad this autumn. In short, he’s one of the guys:

“I just feel a little better. But obviously the tremors are still there. The excitement is still there. I can’t wait to get it going,” Bunting said before the puck dropped. “Last year I was really excited and I think this year I’m even more excited.”

That (a) the salary cap is expected to rise during Bunting’s next deal and that (b) Dubas was willing to quit a role-playing winger like Calle Järnkrok (age four) over the summer suggests there may be a way to give Bunting , 27, security and tenure while keeping his annual cap in check.

Both Dubas and Bunting’s agent Paul Capizzano could be amenable to an eight-year deal when serious proposals begin, Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday night.

Bunting says he’s OK with the idea of ​​negotiating during the season but wants to leave the details to his camp.

“To be honest, I don’t even think about it. I stay away from social media. I stay away from all that stuff,” Bunting said. “I just try to ignore it and let my team deal with it. And what happens, happens.

“I don’t really want to know much. I just want to play and all of that will happen later.”

OK. But you’d rather want the long term, right?

“No comment,” Bunting replies, laughing.

And the poker face cracks a little.