Penguins Might Consider Trading Forward for the Right Price with the Deadline Approaching
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Penguins
Kyle Dubas will reportedly consider trading forward Michael Bunting at the deadline next month, but only if the right deal is presented to him.
Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins currently have a record of 23-27-9.
That is good for last place in the Metro Division, 2nd to last in the Eastern conference, and 27th overall in the NHL.
Needless to say, the team will not be buyers over the next couple weeks as we creep towards the March 7th trade deadline.
One player that could end up on the trade block is Michael Bunting, who signed a three-year extension with the team on July 1st, 2023.
As The Hockey Writers reporter Zach Alvarado notes, the Penguins were likely hoping for Bunting to put up career-best numbers this season in the second year of the deal.
"During the 2023-24 season, Bunting showed signs of closing in on that point total as he registered 55 points between the Hurricanes and Penguins. Of his 19 goals scored, only four were not put in from the slot or rebounds lying in the crease. Having come that close to reaching his career-high point total last season, it would not be surprising if he reaches, or even sets a new career high this season."
Instead, Bunting has put up 14 goals and 28 points in 56 games, not a bad pace, but more or less around his career average.
That being said, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is a big fan of Bunting, and as such it will take a big offer to pry the gritty forward out of his hands.
"Dubas loves him, and he's a good player. He'll score 20-plus goals a season, he's scrappy, he helps on the power play. But if a team were to take his salary off the books and provide the Penguins with a compelling asset in return, Dubas would be wise to consider it. I think he would."- Josh Yohe
NHL reporter Marco D'Amico also noted that Bunting is among the list of players Kyle Dubas is considering trading.
Bunting has 20 goals and 47 points in 77 career games with the Penguins. He has 90 goals and 209 points in 324 career games.
With one more year left on his contract after this one, it is only a matter of time before he moves on from Pittsburgh.
The only question is whether he will get traded this year or next.
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