Predators' Michael Bunting: Five points in last five games
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Bunting had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over Calgary on Tuesday.
His goal came on a rebound off a deflection early in the third frame to make the score 5-0. Bunting has five points (two goals, three assists) and 13 shots in his last five games. Prior to that, the winger had 10 points in his first 21 points. We're not sure if this run is real, but Bunting may help you in the short term until the rust forms on him and the Preds again.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Goal, assist in win
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Bunting scored a power-play goal on two shots and added an assist in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Red Wings.
Bunting ended an eight-game goal drought with the opening tally at 15:48 of the first period. The 30-year-old winger also set up a Roman Josi tally in the third period. Bunting has maintained a middle-six role and a decent share of power-play time during his recent slump. On the year, the winger has five goals, 13 points (five on the power play), 30 shots on net, nine hits and a minus-11 rating through 23 appearances.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Stays hot in Monday's loss
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Bunting scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Canucks.
Both points came in the third period as Bunting led a rally from a 4-2 deficit that earned the Predators a point in the standings, but they couldn't find the winner in OT. Bunting has delivered back-to-back multi-point performances and has two goals and six points over the last three contests, a sudden turnaround after he managed just two goals and three points through the first 11 contests of the season.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Three points in first period
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Bunting had a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win over Calgary on Saturday.
All three points came in the first period, including one assist on the power play. Bunting has four points (one goal, three assists) and four shots in his last two games. Don't get too excited -- the winger had a great game, but he had just three points in 11 games before this two-game run. He needs to show more consistency before being trusted in more than spot starts.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Scores lone goal
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Bunting scored his second goal of the season in Saturday's 4-1 loss to Winnipeg.
Bunting ruined Connor Hellebuyck's bid for a shutout with a backhand goal at 18:56 of the third period. He logged a season-high 17:04 of ice time in Saturday's loss, including 3:54 with the man advantage. He has two 20-goal regular seasons already on his NHL resume and is a fine low-end fantasy option with upside in deep leagues.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Finds twine in opener
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Bunting tallied a goal, fired three shots on net and served two PIM in Thursday's 2-1 season-opening win over Columbus.
Bunting scored the first goal of the year for the Predators just under seven minutes into regulation. It's an encouraging sign to see Bunting contribute to Nashville's offense in the early going after taking a step back on the attack last season. His 38 points a year ago was his lowest mark since the 2020-21 campaign. The 30-year-old winger has played for four teams in the past four seasons (Toronto, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Nashville), but he's showing signs of settling into his role on the left wing in the early portion of 2025-26. His current value is best suited for deeper leagues.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Finds scoresheet in loss
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Bunting scored a goal and fired five shots on net in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Hockey Club.
Bunting found the back of the net for Nashville's third and final goal of the game in the latter half of the second period. Overall, the 29-year-old winger has 19 goals, 38 points and 149 shots on net in 75 games this season between Pittsburgh and Nashville. While Bunting began his tenure with the Predators by going on a four-game point skid, he's found a rhythm offensively as of late with nine points in his last 13 outings. He's entering the final season of his three-year deal next year and will likely need to maintain some of his recent consistency if the Predators are to bring him back beyond the 2025-26 season.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Deals helper in loss
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Bunting notched an assist and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Golden Knights.
Bunting has four points and six shots on net over his last three games. The winger is up to eight points over 16 outings with the Predators, a pace virtually identical to what he did with the Penguins to begin the season. Bunting has a total of 18 goals, 19 assists, 144 shots on net, 70 hits, 68 PIM and a minus-21 rating across 74 appearances in 2024-25 while regularly filling a top-six role with both teams he's played for this year.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Notches assist
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Bunting recorded an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over Utah.
Bunting has four points, 13 shots on net and 12 PIM over five contests in April. The 29-year-old has settled into a top-six role with the Predators since he was traded from the Penguins at the deadline. Bunting has a total of 18 goals, 18 assists, 143 shots on net, 69 hits, 68 PIM and a minus-23 rating over 73 appearances between the two teams this season.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: One of each Tuesday
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Bunting banked a goal, an assist and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 7-6 overtime win over the Islanders.
This was Bunting's first multi-point performance in a Nashville sweater and his first since Dec. 29, when he was with Pittsburgh. He has notched four goals and two assists across 14 appearances with his new club. The 29-year-old dished a primary helper in the opening frame and netted the game-tying goal with under a minute remaining in the final stanza to help the Preds pull off the comeback win. On the season, Bunting has recorded 18 goals, 17 assists and a minus-24 rating over 72 total appearances.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Three points in last five games
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Bunting scored a goal in an 8-4 loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
Bunting has three points, including two goals, and 12 shots in his last five games. It's a small offensive blip in an otherwise mid season. Bunting could provide short-term help in a deep format, but don't overrate him.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Activated from injured reserve
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Bunting (abdomen) was activated from injured reserve Friday, indicating he'll return to the lineup versus the Ducks, Nick Kieser of 102.5 ESPN Nashville reports.
The Predators now have 12 healthy forwards on the roster, assuming Bunting is able to make his team debut Friday. The 29-year-old figures to play in a middle-six role, though it's possible he is eased back into action following an appendectomy. Prior to getting traded to Nashville, he produced 29 points in 58 appearances with the Penguins.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Heading to Nashville
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Bunting (abdomen) and a 2026 fourth-round pick were traded to the Predators from the Penguins on Wednesday in exchange for Thomas Novak and Luke Schenn, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.
Bunting is out indefinitely while recovering from an appendectomy he underwent Feb. 27. The 29-year-old will probably be able to return prior to the end of the regular season, but that's not the focus for the Predators, who get a top-six winger under contract for 2025-26. Bunting has a little grit in his game and can be a power-play force, but the Predators will need to bounce back as a team to avoid tanking his fantasy value. With the Penguins this season, Bunting put up 29 points (15 on the power play) in 58 appearances.
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Penguins' Michael Bunting: Placed on injured reserve
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Bunting was put on injured reserve Thursday after undergoing appendix surgery.
Bunting was already regarded as being out indefinitely due to the surgery, so his placement on IR doesn't come as a surprise. He has 14 goals and 29 points in 58 appearances in 2024-25. Emil Bemstrom was recalled from the minors in a corresponding move and is a possibility to serve in a bottom-six capacity during Bunting's absence, though Bokondji Imama will compete with Bemstrom for that spot.
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Penguins' Michael Bunting: Undergoes appendectomy
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Bunting recently underwent surgery to remove his appendix and will be sidelined indefinitely, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Thursday.
Bunting is currently mired in a 10-game goal drought during which he registered 20 shots, two assists and eight hits. With Bunting on the shelf, the Penguins may not have to send Matt Nieto to the minors after placing him on waivers Wednesday. Pittsburgh's season is all but over, so there will be no rush to get Bunting back into the lineup.
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Penguins' Michael Bunting: Battling illness
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Bunting (illness) missed Wednesday's practice, according to Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Bunting has 14 goals and 29 points in 58 appearances in 2024-25. If he's not able to play Thursday versus Philadelphia, then Matt Nieto will probably draw back into the lineup.
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Penguins' Michael Bunting: Posts power-play assist
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Bunting logged a power-play assist, three shots on goal and two PIM in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.
Bunting's last five points -- in a span of 14 games -- have all come on the power play. He snapped a five-game point drought Friday with his helper. For the season, the 29-year-old winger is at 28 points (15 on the power play), 100 shots on net, 57 hits, 48 PIM and a minus-16 rating through 54 contests. His even-strength play is likely to remain mediocre until his usual center, Evgeni Malkin (lower body), gets back in the lineup.
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Penguins' Michael Bunting: Available to play
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Bunting (undisclosed) will return to the lineup against Seattle on Tuesday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
Bunting sat out Sunday's 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay after being involved in a car accident outside PPG Paints Arena. He has registered 13 goals, 25 points, 84 shots on net, 48 hits and 42 PIM through 43 appearances this season. With Bunting back and Evgeni Malkin (upper body) considered a game-time decision, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matt Nieto could be healthy scratches versus the Kraken.
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Penguins' Michael Bunting: Tallies in overtime loss
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Bunting scored a goal in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes.
Bunting has five goals and two assists over his last six games. Four of those seven points have come on the power play, but his goal Sunday was at even strength to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead at 5:08 of the first period. The winger is up to 12 goals, 23 points, 78 shots on net, 45 hits, 32 PIM and a minus-11 rating through 40 appearances. He'll continue to have decent fantasy value both for his offense and his agitation skills as long as he plays in a top-six role.
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Penguins' Michael Bunting: Game finally heating up
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Bunting scored twice Monday in a 7-3 win over the Flyers.
Bunting's first pushed the Penguins up 3-1 in the first period when he tapped in a pass from Evgeni Malkin on the power play. His second pushed the Pens up 5-3 at the end of the second frame. Bunting's start to the season was coated with ice, but he's warmed up with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in his last 11 games, and five of those points have come on the man advantage. Bunting seems to be getting his feet under him, and that's great news for patient managers.
