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Michael Bunting possesses an unusual amount of leverage for a 25-year-old who has an expiring contract and fewer than two dozen NHL games under his belt.
For one: He’s on a ridiculous goal-scoring tear. Two: Despite his young age, he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Bunting just arrived on the scene in Arizona, but, in a few months, he could be heading right out the door.
How did he get to this point? It’s a long story.
Bunting has been a part of the Arizona Coyotes organization during the tenures of four general managers. Former GM Don Maloney selected him in the fourth round, 117th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images
There have been no games, practices, or training sessions involving the New Jersey Devils since the now-infamous January 31 win in Buffalo. The team’s COVID-19 Protocol List broke out to as many as 19 players as games over the past two weeks were postponed. Good news may be imminent. The team re-opened their training facility on Thursday, Sunday night’s update saw the list go down to just five players, and the Devils are expected to have practice on Monday. The Devils may actually get to play some games this week.
Of course, with no games or team activities, there is not a whole lot to discuss. Hence, I turned to you, the People Who Matter, to decide between two ideas. More of you wanted a Stupendously Early Look at the 2021 NHL Draft and so here it is. There is a lot to cover, so be forewarned before diving in.