With the off-season drawing to a close Carolina Hurricanes fans have started to pencil in what they believe could become the Canes lineup come October. It's a fun way to get ready for the hockey season while also trying to get into the minds of head coach Rod Brind'Amour and his staff.
If you've tried your hand at filling out a lineup card you might have come across a common complication. Where does twenty-seven-year-old Michael Bunting fit in? With less than two hundred NHL games played, Bunting is a late bloomer who fits every stereotype of a Rod Brind'Amour player. He's capable of producing a respectable point total while also being defensively responsible, and physical enough to win battles for loose pucks around the boards.
Knowing Rod Brind'Amour as well as I do, I know Bunting will see time on all of Carolina's top three forward lines at some point this season. At times it feels like Brind'Amour is happy to place his lineup card in a blinder after an underwhelming performance from his club. However, this doesn't answer who Bunting will skate with come opening night.
For a few weeks, I've been raking my head trying to figure out where Bunting fits best among his new teammates and I've come up with two options.
Bunting - Aho - Jarvis
I'll freely admit that a first-line role for Michael Bunting doesn't just require a strong performance from the former Toronto Maple Leaf in camp. If Bunting were to make it to Sebastion Aho's line Teuvo Teravainen would have to give his coaches a reason to bump him down the lineup.
It is no secret that Teravainen struggled last season. Though, I personally believe that the Finnish winger will give his all entering his eighth Hurricanes training camp. This is one of those rare takes where I hope I'm wrong. Yet, if Turbo is unable to reassure his coaches that he's still capable of playing in a top-six role, Michael Bunting could be just what the doctor ordered for Carolina's physically smaller top line.
Bunting - Staal - Fast
Jordan Staal's line has long served as the shutdown line for the Carolina Hurricanes. A traditional third-line role is used to limit offensive opportunities for some of the most productive forwards in this era of the NHL.
As much as Jordan Martinook has earned his place in my heart, there is no way to deny that Michael Bunting will be an upgrade alongside Carolina's captain. Not only does Bunting have the grit required to shut down opposing forwards. His own offensive talent can elevate that of Jordan Staal and Jesper Fast.
Other Options
Jesperi Kotkaniemi's second-line role alongside Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov is a safe bet. Before Svechnikov's long-term injury in March, the Confidence line was arguably Carolina's best. The chemistry between the three young forwards only grew as 2022 came to an end. Finding a place for Michael Bunting on the second line could do more harm than good to the development of these three forwards.
Finally, you don't sign a player like Micheal Bunting to a $4.5 million contract to play less than ten minutes a night on your fourth line. Baring a potential recovery period after an injury I don't see a realistic reason why Bunting would play so low in Carolina's lineup.
It will be insteresting to see where he fits. Saw him at the 5K this morning with the guys.