PITTSBURGH – The trade deadline brings new faces to new teams, and for the Pittsburgh Penguins, their newest addition is forward Michael Bunting. The former Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs forward showed up in Pittsburgh for his first practice with the Penguins.
As a member of the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes, Bunting wore the No. 58 on his jersey. That number is well reserved for Penguins’ defenseman Kris Letang, however, forcing a change for Bunting.
As Bunting stepped onto the ice, it was revealed he will drop the 5 and don just the No. 8 with the Penguins.
Michael Bunting is here wearing No. 8 pic.twitter.com/U8JjDOJN7a
— Nick Horwat (@NickHorwat41) March 8, 2024
Bunting comes to Pittsburgh as a 28-year-old left-shot forward with two years remaining on his contract following the 2023-24 season. In 247 career games played, he has 70 goals and 92 assists for 162 total points.
Soon enough we will learn where Bunting is slotting into the lineup, but the Penguins might still have moves up their sleeve as deadline day continues. Bunting did take work on the top power play unit.
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