Rumor: Maple Leafs to Sign Young Forward They Know Tons About

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is a very loyal man who loves surrounding himself with familiar faces. Turns out the free agent market could bring much of the same this summer.

Michael Bunting — 10 G in 21 GP with ARI this season — is the rare Group VI free agent. All the logical speculation is on him being reunited with his Soo Greyhound GM (Kyle Dubas) and head coach (Sheldon Keefe) in TOR but multiple teams interested. @TSNHockey

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 27, 2021

Bunting scored at a very strong clip last season with his 10 pots and will be 26 when the season opens in October. Not only does he know Keefe and Dubas very well, he's from Toronto, so this contract is likely all but done.

Last season he made $737,500, and could fetch as much as $1.5 million on the open market. Given his age and the team's familiarity with the player, it's likely he signs a multi-year contract with the Maple Leafs. He's basically scored on every team he's played on, so perhaps the Leafs are looking at him as an option to play with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Photo credit:   Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports