Staring down the barrel of an 0-2-2 start with no end in sight and their young core failing to recapture the magic which defined last year's stretch run to a playoff berth, Flyers GM Danny Briere made a move on Tuesday.
Unsigned free agent forward Michael Bunting was brought into the fold on a 1-year, $1.2 million contract.
Bunting, who like Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet is a product of Scarborough, Ontario, spent last season split between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, collecting 14 goals and 19 assists over 74 games but carrying a minus-24 rating.
The former 4th round draft pick of the Arizona Coyotes has compiled 109 goals and 143 assists across 418 regular season games for the 'Yotes, Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, Penguins, Preds and Stars. Bunting's high water marks in offense came with Toronto in 2021-22 and 2022-23 (23 goals each season) while his career high 103 penalty minutes was also achieved with the Leafs.
Bunting's arrival hints at several issues that need buttoning up in the early going: one, that a veteran forward with some sandpaper is desperately on order after Briere let go of three veterans who populated the 4th line and two, that a proven veteran presence who has played under Tocchet could relay his message to the young core while also providing necessary competition for players who may be too comfortable.
The signing also removes the possibility of dipping into the prospect pool at Allentown, with the Phantoms' season just underway last weekend.
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