Bunting vs. P Kane

[joeb323]

This is wild to even think about, but I’m considering keeping Bunting over P. Kane, and trying to move Kane for the best pick I can get.

Seems crazy without digging into the fantasy numbers, so here’s my rationale:

Kane: 78 games, 26 goals, 66 assists, -19, 18 pims. Fantasy points = 178 (2.28/game)

Bunting: 79 games, 23 goals, 40 assists, +27, 80 pims. Fantasy points = 181 (2.28/game)

Based on fantasy points/game, they were an exact wash this year. Kane is obviously way ahead in point production, but Bunting offered a +46 plus/minus differential, and more than quadruple the amount of pims.

Plus/minus and PIMs (a minor penalty gives same fantasy points as an assist) were the stats that crushed me last year and an area I am looking to improve.

I see Kane in a situation where his plus/minus is going to continue to suck, and he’s not a PIM producer, whereas Bunting is in a golden spot in Toronto at least for one more year.

Kane has more trade value, although it’s declining due to age considerations.

If I can get a decent pick back for Kane, am I crazy to think I might be better off with Bunting + pick?

Edit: I hadn’t updated my signature after a couple recent trades. League 1 in signature with updated roster

[stevegamer]

I want to know who the other 7 keepers you are planning on keeping with Bunting are before I reply further. You're banking on Bunting coming close to repeating this year in the future, and while it could happen, he's a tad riskier than Kane.

+/- is doing a LOT of work in that calculation, and it's inherently risky.

[Smurf54]

I want to know who the other 7 keepers you are planning on keeping with Bunting are before I reply further. You're banking on Bunting coming close to repeating this year in the future, and while it could happen, he's a tad riskier than Kane.

+/- is doing a LOT of work in that calculation, and it's inherently risky.

I agree with Stevegamer that we need to see your other 7 keepers, and that +/- is a big factor in this calculation. Having said that, Bunting's 80 PIMs are a huge factor here as well. It's not unusual for a new player to come in and rack up PIMs in their early seasons as they play very aggressively trying to prove themselves to their teammates. But I find that tends to taper off. Not many first line forwards in today's NHL get 80 PIMs in a season, and I would expect that to likely cut in half moving forward. Factor that in, the uncertainty around +/-, and the risk of Bunting's deployment (ie. take him away from Matthews/Marner, points go bye bye), and the comparison is a lot less favourable to Bunting.

Shopping Kane for a pick may not be a bad idea for a few reasons. But doing it because he compared favourably to Kane in your league format this season is probably the wrong reason to do it.

[joeb323]

Sorry, I forgot to update my signature before posting. My keepers are:

1. Barkov
2. Panarin
3. J. Hughes
4. Buchnevich
5. Josi
6. Hamilton
7. Vasilevskiy
8. Bunting/Kane decision

[Rockies & Hockeys]

What about Bunting over Buch instead?

[zambronies]

What about Bunting over Buch instead?

Agreed

[Axeman33]

The only way I would consider this is if Bunting showed some consistency in doing what he just did. This is such a small sample size for him. I think it's a ballsy a$$ move to keep him over PKane, who is a proven top performer for a very, very long time.

Personally, I wouldn't take the gamble.

[horrorfan]

If Bunting drops PIM and +/-, then his value takes a big hit. I wonder if you could redraft him anyway so I would rather keep the guy who is more reliable with his offensive production and has higher trade value.

[niconasr]

I agree with the others. Unless you get a crazy return for P. Kane, I'd keep him over Bunting. Bunting vs Buchnevich is more interesting and in that case, I might lean towards Bunting. But his production is so reliant on his linemates that he's a much riskier choice.

[2014olympicgold]

Dependent on the trade return really. But Kane is the last keeper keep. Id be debating Bunting over Buch tho.

[Bubba55]

In a salary cap league this perhaps makes more sense but it's not and I'm with the majority here suggesting this is a very risky move and likely not advised. All the relevant points have already been made as to why this is the case. I also agree that Bunting instead of Buch is a move that many would agree with vice Bunting over Kane.

[blayze]

Count me in the minority who agrees with you.

In you format - keeper, multicat, etc - I would absolutely keep Bunting over Kaner. Kane is most valuable in one year points-only formats.

Bunting is in a great spot and may be riding AM/MM's coat tails for the forseeable future.

Kane vs Buch is a much closer debate. Keep Bunting.

[bbfl1987]

I’d still prefer Kane. Bunting is line mate reliant. Kane not so much.

[joeb323]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, lots of food for thought but I don’t have to make a decision any time soon so I have time to think about it.

For those that are suggesting Bunting over Buchnevich, I hadn’t really considered that. What’s the main thought there?

I see Buchnevich as a better points producer moving forward vs Bunting and they were about equal in plus/minus. Buchnevich finished the year at 2.72 fantasy points/game, well above Bunting at 2.28

[blayze]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, lots of food for thought but I don’t have to make a decision any time soon so I have time to think about it.

For those that are suggesting Bunting over Buchnevich, I hadn’t really considered that. What’s the main thought there?

I see Buchnevich as a better points producer moving forward vs Bunting and they were about equal in plus/minus. Buchnevich finished the year at 2.72 fantasy points/game, well above Bunting at 2.28

Bunting is a rookie who produced almost PPG. Buch has been in the leauge 6 years and this was by far his best season. Statistically he is more likely to regress.

Having said that I'm a big fan of Buch too. I'd probably take him over Kaner in a keeper league with your scoring cats.

Kane's +/- will likely be horrible going forward given the state of the Hawks and his lack of PIM also hurts in your format. He's really just a points guy.