The Toronto Maple Leafs have been on a roll lately, winning their last five games and sitting comfortably in first place in the North Division. However, the big question of the week was whether to play or to sit Michael Bunting. He’s back from his suspension; however, Bunting will not dress for Thursday’s game.
That leads Maple Leafs’ fans to wonder why.
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Kyper and Bourne Believe Sitting Bunting Is Best for the Team
Real Kyper and Bourne discussed the situation on their Wednesday show. They came to the conclusion that it’s best for both Bunting and the team to be patient about playing him. They believe that, as a team, it’s important to achieve a collective goal. That sometimes means accepting one’s role and waiting for one’s chance to shine again.
Bunting knows he has a contract coming up this summer. If he wants to stay with the team, it’s better for him to wait it out if that’s what the team asks him to do.
Looking at a Video of the Show
In the video below, Kyper and Bourne discuss why patience is key for both Bunting and Maple Leafs. Bunting will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, and that makes sense to the twosome. In this video, Kyper and Bourne discuss why Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe’s decided to scratch Bunting after his return from suspension. They also note why it’s best for both Bunting and the team to be patient about playing him again.
There Are Risks in Playing Bunting
The hosts discuss the risks involved in playing Bunting. While he’s a talented player, he might not fit well with the team’s current winning formula. He’s an offensive-minded player. But he doesn’t contribute much in the defensive zone. As a result, it’s hard to jump him into a fourth-line role when that fourth line is already performing well.
The team’s fourth line is playing a specific role and is playing it well in this series. It’s been a solid line for the last part of the season. The team is wise not to mess with that line’s success. It is crucial to keep the fourth line performing well.
Bunting is not a puzzle piece that fits into the fourth line. In the end, it might be a bigger risk to change a winning formula just to accommodate him.
Furthermore, Kyper and Bourne believe that, for any player to succeed, that player needs to be in a situation where he can thrive. Bunting might not fit in well with the current lineup, and it’s important to find a role that suits him best. It’s not as simple as just plugging him into the top six and hoping for the best.
Patience is a Virtue Because Having Bunting Back Is a Good Thing
In the end, having Bunting back is a positive for the team. Now the task is to be patient with how the series is unfolding. The key for both Bunting and the Maple Leafs is to allow the series to unfold as it has been unfolding.
Because the team is performing well, it’s silly to fix something that isn’t broken. Therefore, it’s not worth risking the role for the sake of playing a single player. Bunting will get his chance to shine again, but it’s important to find the right fit for him.
It’s also important to ensure that the team’s winning formula isn’t compromised. The Maple Leafs have a good thing going. Right now, they need to be smart about how they integrate new/old players into the mix.
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Key Reasons About Why the Maple Leafs’ Decided to Bench Michael Bunting
Key Reason #1: The Maple Leafs are performing well and are on a winning streak.
Key Reason #2: It is best for both Bunting and the team to be patient about playing him again.
Key Reason #3: As a team, it’s important to achieve a collective goal and sometimes that means accepting your role and waiting for your chance to shine again.
Key Reason #4: Bunting knows that he has a contract coming up this summer and it’s in his best interest to wait it out if the team asks him to.
Key Reason #5: Playing Bunting may be a bigger risk than not playing him for the sake of keeping the current winning formula intact.
Key Reason #6: Bunting is an offensive-minded player who doesn’t contribute much in the defensive zone, which may not fit in well with the current lineup. To succeed, a player needs to be in a situation where they can thrive.
Key Reason #7: Bunting will get his chance to shine again, but it’s important to find the right fit for him and ensure that the team’s winning formula isn’t compromised.
Related: What Maple Leafs’ Player Sits If Bunting Returns? Will He Return?
Roy Peters
April 26, 2023 at 9:29 pm
They can sit Bunting which I agree with the only one who should also sit is one of the worst defesemen in the league Justin Holl there is no reason Liligren should sit while someone who can’t even skate plays. Holl was on for 3 goals against last game and in the last minute he just about scored on his own goal as he tried to pick up his stick who picks up there stick in the battle by the net.
bahamaleaf
April 26, 2023 at 9:42 pm
I honestly think, that the thinking is….Cernak is still out, keep Bunting out, or it will only give Tampa,,,the edgy retribution attitude…and no need to give them any reason to want that. Sort of respect, but sort of back handed too.
gfinale
April 27, 2023 at 8:45 am
Interesting comment!
gfinale
April 27, 2023 at 8:43 am
I disagree. Bunting has not been as effective this year and has been a loose cannon like how Kadri got. He’s been told but still continues with garbage that’s to the detriment of the team.
They can’t risk that in the playoffs. A stern message needs to be sent to him by the team and players, beyond the league suspension to ensure he NEVER pulls such ridiculous stunts in the future, maybe even to the extent he never plays again in this years playoffs. I also disagree though that the Leafs have been doing well. The past 2 games, they were substantially outplayed and got rather lucky to win. They are playing undisciplined, out of position and scrambling often, getting rushed and making poor plays including losing the puck unnecessarily and often. They need to work on all of that and they don’t need Bunting making it worse!
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