There was a lot of criticism, and still is, of the Nashville Predators trading for Michael Bunting at this year's trade deadline in exchange for Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn.
Bunting has become somewhat of a journeymen at this point in his career with 341 career games on already his fifth NHL stop. Everyone was expecting the Predators to be a heavy seller at the trade deadline, but instead didn't do all that much really, with this trade being their most notable move.
With one year left on his current deal at a $4.5 million cap hit, the question is if Bunting will end up in the long-term plans of the Predators as they go through this transition phase? Or will Bunting be flipped at next year's trade deadline?
Those questions we can't answer right now because everything hinges on how Bunting plays between now and then, and also how the team plays as a whole. If the Predators can return back to being a playoff contender, then maybe they keep Bunting around if he's a big reason why.
Can Bunting do enough to stick around with Nashville Predators long-term?
It's hard to understand truly what General Manager Barry Trotz's plans are for 2025-26. There's no escaping how brutally painful this season has been, and we don't really know what his plans are to reverse things quickly back into a positive direction.
The overwhelming thought is that Bunting will be used as a trade chip at next year's trade deadline and this is a just a brief layover in Nashville for the former fourth-round pick from 2014.
Bunting has made his presence felt in 15 games so far for Nashville in what feels like an audition not only for his current team, but for all other 31 NHL teams. Bunting knows his contract is nearing its end and he has to show out, and you can see his tenacity on full display as Nashville rounds out its season.
The Predators are playing some inspired hockey with the failure of a season down to just three games remaining. Bunting got the game-tying goal in the thrilling 7-6 overtime win over the Islanders by doing what he does best, which is get into the dirty area in front of the goalie and cause chaos. Something Barry Trotz knew very well what he was getting when he traded for Bunting.
Bunting tallied another assist to his Nashville total in the shootout win over Utah Hockey Club, bringing his total since joining the Predators to seven points in 15 games. His overall season including his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins has him with 18 goals and 18 assists.
Like many of his Nashville teammates, Bunting is suffering through a drop-off in his individual offense in 2024-25, hence why Pittsburgh was wiling to put him on the trade block. Bunting's point production has dropped from 55 points to 36 points, with three games to go for him to maybe hit the 40-point mark at least.
Bunting switched teams midseason last year as well, so he hasn't been able to get too comfortable anywhere he has been. He has never spent more than two seasons on the same team. What can he do to break that trend with the Nashville Predators?
Predators are hoping Bunting can max out his trade value
A couple things have to happen for the Predators to consider retaining Bunting past next year's trade deadline; a career year in goal production and the Predators will have to be significantly improved to the point that they're back in the playoff race.
Both of those factors seem far-fetched in the current time. For one, even if Bunting has a resurgence next season and gets his point production back up to around 50+ points, that will just put more pressure on Trotz to flip him in a trade.
Bunting will hit age 30 before next season begins, so even if he's playing really well in 2025-26, will Trotz really want to hand out another multi-year contract to veteran that is past age 30? Seem counterproductive to what the Predators are ultimately needing to accomplish long-term, which is bring in a new era of youth, speed and raw talent.
The only way I can see it making sense to give Bunting a new contract and he sticks around with the Predators past next season is if he becomes a main factor into the Predators being reborn next season. He would need an insane spike in production and become a critical part of the top-six. Then it would be a lot harder for Trotz to break up that momentum if the team is competing for a playoff spot.
The Predators have very few free agents to deal with this offseason. In fact, none of the players on the current NHL roster will be free agents this offseason. A couple may be traded, but most will have a hand in competing at training camp for starting spots to open 2025-26, and Bunting will be competing for a top-six role.
I actually have really enjoyed getting to know Buntings game over the past 15 games with Nashville. He plays with an edginess to him that the Predators have lacked too much of this season. He gets in the grill of players, goes to the areas that many players avoid, and is uncanny at getting the opposition out of their game mentally.
Bunting is going to be an important player to watch early on in 2025-26. If the team stumbles like they have this season and it becomes another rebuilding year, you at least hope Bunting shows enough individual value to have a trade market out there for him.
Worst case scenario is Bunting becomes a non-factor and Trotz ends up trading him for another late round draft pick, which is what many of us fear will end up being the case. But there's a couple big reasons to be rooting for Bunting. One is the obvious reason that he can help springboard a reload in 2025-26, and two you need his trade value to shoot up.