What the Flyers Are Getting From Michael Bunting

Entering the 2026-27 season, the Philadelphia Flyers’ deepest position seemed to be winger. Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone are two of the most talented under-22 players. Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett are money-in-the-bank 25-goal scorers, with Konecny typically pushing 70 points. Tyson Foerster should score at least that many goals, if not quite a few more. Denver Barkey and Alex Bump looked promising down the stretch last season.

Yet things went so topsy-turvy in their first five games that, out of all positions, the Flyers felt the need to add to that group. Part of that is availability; the goaltenders have been sharp, and it’s not easy to acquire centers or defensemen, as the Flyers learned the hard way during the summer. But it says a lot about how wretched things are that the Flyers tried to add four games into the season.

Michael Bunting is that addition. He’s a 31-year-old left winger who didn’t become a full-time NHLer until the 2021-22 season and has played for six NHL teams, none for more than two seasons. He hasn’t played for just one team in a season since 2022-23, his final season on a home-run signing by the Toronto Maple Leafs, with whom he emerged as an NHL contributor.

If the Flyers are so deep at wing, why did they bring in an older player who seems to lack staying power? Part of it is that the current roster’s underperformance, but Bunting also brings things to the table that could make him stand out.

Goal Scoring

Through five games this season (one of which Bunting played), the Flyers have just six goals as a team. That’s the same as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard alone, who has done so in one fewer game. Philadelphia could certainly use a boost there.

While Bunting won’t drive the Flyers to an offensive surge, he can be part of the puzzle. Ever since his breakout 10 goals in 21 games with the Arizona Coyotes in 2020-21 (under Rick Tocchet), he has scored double digits every season, usually pushing for about 20. Last season’s 14 were a career low for a full campaign, but he was on pace for more before his production cratered following a midseason move to the Dallas Stars.

Bunting does much of his damage around the crease, which is a skill the Flyers could use. Martone projects well in that role, but he’s still just a rookie. Throughout his career, Bunting has been exceptional at generating shots and goals in high-danger areas, as reflected by NHL EDGE as in or directly in front of the crease. His shooting percentage isn’t as elite, but he’s not an awful finisher.

Tenacity

One of the most shocking things about the Flyers’ dismal start to the season has been their lack of energy. It’s not necessarily big hits that are missing; Rasmus Ristolainen decked Sidney Crosby seconds before the Flyers conceded their first goal of the season, but they haven’t shown the jump they did late last season, when they played with desperation every night to make a late playoff push.

Bunting can help turn that around. He doesn’t lay many hits, but he’s known to mix things up after the whistle and isn’t afraid to go into scrums, to say the least. Any player who goes to the front of the net as much as him has to be tough, and he certainly fits that bill.

Bunting’s Role

Bunting skated on the Flyers’ fourth line for his team debut on Thursday, playing with Noah Cates and Noel Acciari. He also had a spot on the second power-play unit.

However, his usage could increase, at least temporarily. The Flyers lost one of their top wingers when Konecny was injured Thursday and will be out at least through the weekend. Nikita Grebenkin, one of the main competitors for those bottom-six winger spots, won’t play for at least four months after undergoing back surgery, due to an absence that has lasted since March.