Michael Bunting is set to become an unrestricted free agent after his Dallas Stars contract expires on July 1. He split the 2025-26 season between the Nashville Predators and Stars, playing 74 games and totaling 33 points. The 30-year-old is finishing a three-year, $13.5 million contract originally signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1, 2023, with stops across Carolina, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Dallas. He plans to spend time with family and friends while waiting to see what happens with Dallas. He reported positive end-of-year discussions with Jim Nill and Glen Gulutzan and is awaiting further contact. He previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs for two seasons, producing his best offensive output with the club.
"“I haven't really thought about it [free agency] much to be honest. I just got back to Toronto, so I'm trying to spend as much time with my family, friends, and I'm busy being a dad,” Bunting said. “That being said, I don't really know what's in my cards right now, I'm just kind of waiting and seeing what happens with Dallas here. Obviously, I ended the year with them, and I'm coming off really positive talks with Jim [Jim Nill] and Gully [Glen Gulutzan] at my end-of-year meetings, so just waiting to hear from them and see where things go.”"
"Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting currently finds himself in this position, as on July 1, Bunting's contract with the Dallas Stars will expire and he will be free to negotiate with any team. Bunting split the 2025-26 season between the Nashville Predators and Stars, appearing in 74 games and recording 33 points. The 30-year-old is just completing the original three-year, $13.5 million contract he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1, 2023, following his tenure in Toronto."
"Over the three years, Bunting spent time in Carolina, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Dallas, and could cash in this summer due to the salary cap rising and a thin free-agent class. On Tuesday, Bunting joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and co-host David Pagnotta to discuss his upcoming free agency process, how he enjoyed his time in a Maple Leafs sweater, and what he's seen from his former linemate Mitch Marner during these 2025-26 playoffs."
Read at TheLeafsNation
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