Flyers Sign Michael Bunting to Team-Friendly 1-Year Deal

The Flyers have signed Michael Bunting to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million, according to NHL insider Darren Dreger. The deal is a short-term commitment for Philadelphia. Neither the team nor Dreger has released further details, such as whether the contract is one-way or two-way.

It’s also unclear where the Flyers intend to use Bunting in the lineup. He’s been a top-six forward in the past, but the size of his contract and the lack of interest in him as a free agent suggest he’s more of a depth option.

The @NHLFlyers are bringing in Michael Bunting for some spark. Deal agreed to at $1.2 mil. AAV.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 6, 2026

The Flyers have struggled out of the gate this season, and this signing could be a reactionary move. The Flyers have scored only five goals in their first four games, and head coach Rick Tocchet has been anything but complimentary of his group. Dreger said it was for “some spark”, suggesting this might not have been on GM Daniel Briere’s radar until recently.

Bunting, 31, split last season between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, posting 14 goals and 33 points in 74 games before the Stars were eliminated in the first round. He had gone unsigned over the summer and into the season. Many were surprised it took so long for a team to sign him.

Some of that likely had to do with recent injuries that would have left several NHL franchises uncertain about his effectiveness.

A Scarborough, Ont., native, he has 109 goals and 252 points in 418 career games with Arizona, Toronto, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Dallas. His best year came in 2021-22, when he scored 23 goals and 63 points in 79 games with the Maple Leafs and finished third in Calder Trophy voting.

He is coming off a three-year, $13.5 million contract.

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