Stars' Michael Bunting: Doesn't return to Sunday's game
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Bunting (lower body) didn't return to Sunday's game against Philadelphia after exiting in the first period, Robert Tiffin of D Magazine reports.
Bunting was deemed questionable to return during the first intermission Sunday, but he ultimately didn't get back on the ice during the final two periods. Head coach Glen Gulutzan said he doesn't believe Bunting will be forced to miss too much time. However, it's not yet clear when the 30-year-old forward will be able to return. His next opportunity to play will be Tuesday against the Bruins.
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Stars' Michael Bunting: Questionable to return
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Bunting is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Flyers due to a lower-body injury.
Bunting exited Sunday's matchup in the first period after recording a hit and a shot in 3:46 of ice time. The team revealed during the first intermission that he's dealing with a lower-body issue, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return in the final two periods. If Bunting is unavailable for the remainder of the game, his next opportunity to suit up would be Tuesday against Boston.
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Stars' Michael Bunting: Strikes on power play in win
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Bunting scored a power-play goal on three shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over the Red Wings.
Bunting has two points over four contests since he made his Stars debut. The 30-year-old continues to fill a middle-six role with a spot on the second power-play unit, so he should be good for some depth scoring. He's now at 14 goals, 33 points (10 on the power play), 37 hits, 16 PIM and a minus-18 rating over 65 appearances between Dallas and Nashville in 2025-26.
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Stars' Michael Bunting: Lends helper Sunday
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Bunting notched an assist in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Bunting got on the scoresheet in his Stars debut. He saw 14:43 of ice time in a third-line role while also playing on the second power-play unit. Bunting's an ideal complementary player, adding a little grit and the ability to be a reliable depth scorer to take some pressure off of Dallas' top players. Through 62 appearances between Dallas and Nashville this season, Bunting has 32 points (nine on the power play), 109 shots on net, 36 hits, 16 PIM and a minus-17 rating.
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Stars' Michael Bunting: Acquired for draft pick
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Bunting was acquired by Dallas from Nashville on Thursday in exchange for a 2026 third-round selection, per Pierre LeBrun of TSN.
Bunting has 13 goals and 31 points in 61 outings with Nashville in 2025-26. While it's not clear if he'll make his Stars debut Friday versus Colorado, once he settles in, he should be a solid middle-six option for Dallas. Bunting might also see time on Dallas' second power-play unit.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Opens scoring on power play
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Bunting scored a power-play goal on two shots in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Stars.
Bunting opened the scoring at 14:26 of the first period. That tally ended his 11-game goal drought, a span in which the winger logged just two assists and 27 shots on net. The 30-year-old is up to 13 goals, 31 points, 107 shots on net, 31 hits, 14 PIM and a minus-13 rating over 59 appearances. Bunting is trending toward a 40-point campaign, a mark he missed by two in 2024-25.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Goal, assist in win
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Bunting scored a goal on two shots and added an assist in Friday's 7-3 win over the Avalanche.
Bunting's tally at 18:04 of the second period held up as the game-winner. He also set up a Steven Stamkos empty-netter in the third. Bunting has two goals and six helpers over eight contests in January, though that production is held up by a pair of multi-point efforts. He's at 12 goals, 28 points, 78 shots on net, 26 hits, 10 PIM and a minus-3 rating through 47 outings overall, mainly in a middle-six role.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Tallies on power play in win
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Bunting scored a power-play goal on two shots in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Golden Knights.
The Predators overcame a 2-0 deficit in the first period, and Bunting's second-period tally was an extra layer of insurance. The 30-year-old winger ended a six-game point drought with the goal. He's up to 10 goals, 10 assists, eight power-play points, 66 shots on net, 24 hits and a minus-8 rating through 39 outings this season, mainly in a middle-six role.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Pads lead on power play
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Bunting scored a power-play goal on two shots in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Blues.
Bunting has three goals and two assists over his last five games. The 30-year-old had the last tally in Thursday's blowout win. From a third-line role, he's up to eight goals, 18 points (seven on the power play), 44 shots on net and a minus-7 rating across 30 appearances.
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Predators' Michael Bunting: Lights lamp on power play
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Bunting scored a power-play goal in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes.
Bunting has two goals and two assists over three games in December. The winger got the Predators on the board in the third period, though it was far too late to make a real impact in the game. Bunting is up to seven goals, 17 points (six on the power play), 40 shots on net, 13 hits and a minus-7 rating over 28 appearances. His production doesn't stand out, but he's on the Predators' top power-play unit, so he could help in some fantasy formats.
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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: 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 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: 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: 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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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.
