With the arrival of general manager Brad Treliving, the Toronto Maple Leafs are also likely to change their face on the ice, and a number of plausible departures have already been named.
Hockey pundit Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff believes Ontario team fans can prepare to say goodbye to forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Michael Bunting, two men previously killed by former GM Kyle Dubas, now president of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey operations.
“As for Ryan O’Reilly, I don’t know why people insist on asking otherwise. I said it during the transaction: There is no chance he would sign another contract in Toronto, the journalist commented on the Leafs Morning Take podcast. As for Michael Bunting, he’s another Zach Hyman. They would like to pay for it, but lack the means.
O’Reilly arrived in Queen City in February in a trade between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild. Last season, he had 30 points in 53 games, three goals and six assists in 11 playoff games. The veteran is expected to test the unrestricted free-agent market after inking a seven-year, $52.5 million deal.
The 27-year-old Bunting, a 2021-2022 Calder Trophy nominee, had 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 82 games last regular season but only managed two points in seven parts of the series. He has received $950,000 in each of the past two years and will also be eligible for full autonomy on July 1st.