Carolina Hurricanes Star Has Reportedly Hit The Trade Block

During a challenging stretch early in the season, forward Michael Bunting emerged as a potential trade piece for the Hurricanes, according to insights from Elliotte Friedman. While it's uncertain if Bunting is still on the trade block, Friedman hasn't ruled out the possibility of a move.

It's worth noting that this report dates back to an earlier part of the season, and since then, the Hurricanes seem to have found their footing, with starting goalie Frederick Andersen set to return soon.

Reflecting on Bunting's performance with the Hurricanes so far, he has shown promise, though perhaps not at the level the team anticipated when signing him to a UFA contract. With 25 points in 36 games, he maintains a point-per-game pace of 0.69, a slight improvement from his final year with the Leafs. However, his role adjustments, especially with Andrei Svechnikov's return impacting power play time, have influenced his point production.

While Bunting hasn't matched his previous pace, the upcoming season, especially with Teravainen in the last year of his deal, could see an increased role for him.