Could Michael Bunting Give the Oilers a Little More Chaos?

The Edmonton Oilers definitely felt Connor Brown’s exit more than people might think. He wasn’t one of those guys lighting up the scoresheet every regular-season night, but he brought something that’s honestly hard to replace. He had a high-motor, two-way game that showed up even more in the playoffs.

Brown was the kind of forward you could throw over to the penalty kill without sweating it, then he’d turn around and go right back to work in the forecheck like he had something to prove. He could move up and down the lineup without looking lost, and he just had that “glue guy” impact that contending teams always seem to have—someone who makes the little things harder for the other team.

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Connor Brown Made Me Think of Michael Bunting

And that’s why it made me think about Michael Bunting, who’s still sitting out there as a free agent this summer. On the surface, the comparison probably sounds a little shaky because Bunting isn’t the exact same player as Brown. But if you dig into what Edmonton might actually need, the idea starts to make sense.

Bunting isn’t a pure defensive specialist like Brown was. Brown was more of a reliable defensive and penalty-killing forward. Bunting, though, is more of a net-front agitator. He wants to get in close, crash the crease, and turn every rush into a mess for the goalie and the defenders.

He’s great at drawing attention—sometimes in the “why is he always in the way?” kind of way. He can get under guys’ skin, he plays with edge, and he’s shown he can still pop for secondary scoring when the chances are there.

Bunting’s Quiet Season Still Netted Double-Digit Goals

Last season was a bit quieter for him—14 goals and 33 points across Nashville and Dallas. But Bunting has never been just about numbers. His compete level is real, and that willingness to play in the dirty areas is still a big part of his game. Even when his production dips, he tends to bring that “game doesn’t get easier when he’s on the ice” feeling.

Bunting could be the Zach Hyman guy when Hyman isn’t on the ice. Hyman scores a ridiculous amount from basically right in front of the net because he bodies up, wins the rebound battle, and just out-hustles everyone for that second chance. He’s not scared of the dirty spots.

Bunting feels like that same kind of mindset. He’s always in the middle of the chaos, right where the puck ends up, fighting for position and waiting for the rebound like it’s coming to him. So when Hyman’s out, Bunting could slide into that exact role—especially when the Oilers are blasting pucks from the point, and guys like Bouchard are driving the play right toward the crease. Bunting’s just there in the middle of everybody’s business, looking for contact, looking for the rebound, and ready to cash in.

Bunting Could Provide Chaos, Energy, and Scoring

So what could Bunting bring to the Oilers? Basically, a version of that same bottom-six/middle-six energy. He’s a guy who doesn’t need top-line minutes to impact the game, who can create chaos in front of the net, and who has playoff experience under his belt. Edmonton already has the star power up front, so adding a veteran who can bring sandpaper and still finish a few chances in the right moments isn’t a bad thought.

To be clear, Bunting would never be a perfect one-for-one replacement for Brown. Brown was more dependable defensively and stronger on the PK. Bunting brings more of a physical/offensive edge, and his value comes from being a pain to play against.

But if the Oilers are trying to add a high-compete depth winger who can make life tough and chip in when it matters, Bunting is still the kind of name that feels worth kicking around. Brown gave them something special in those playoff runs—Bunting won’t be the exact same guy—but he might be able to fill a pretty similar role in his own way.

Brown gave Edmonton a certain type of playoff utility. Bunting could give them a different version of that same “hard to play against” quality.

Related: The Dallas Stars’ Summer of Chaos: Now for the Fallout