Bunting vs Marchment

[chuckcouples]

31 team dynasty league that counts G, A, +/-, Hits, Takeaways, blocked shots, PP TOI, PK TOI. It's also a salary cap league that uses NHL AAV and the NHL salary cap. We keep our players until the become NHL UFAs. If they sign an extension before their contract runs out, we keep the player through his next contract.

Which player would you rather own going forward?

Michael Bunting - $950,000 contract but a potential UFA at the end of this season
Mason Marchment - $4,500,000 contract for the next 4 seasons

[ross10019]

I was really on the fence about this one. At first I voted Bunting and started typing a post:

“Neither will get primo PP time, Bunting clearly will outpoint Marchment and better plus/minus, but Marchment brings hits. I think this comes down to likelihood they sign Bunting at a team-friendly (say $4m AAV or less), which is a reasonable bet. I’d go Bunting, the upside next to Natthews/Marner and likely lower (or similar) cap hit seals it for me.”

But I changed my mind. There is a more than negligible chance that Bunting has priced himself out of town on this next deal, and you’d lose him if he cashes in as a UFA with another squad. Leafs will either extend him, which would actually likely cost at least $4m (and probably closer to a Hyman $5.5m number) given Bunting already took a sweetheart deal to come home ($950k AAV for 2 years), or they’ll be forced to let him walk. That said that slot he has is super kushy, so maybe he signs an extension for $4m or so and then cashed out as a UFA a few years from now. Tough to say.

So in my mind, given your uncertainty, go with the known commodity in Marchment. He’s a reasonable get to give you 45-50 points, and possibly closer to 55-60 given 2nd line deployment, and he’ll provide solid peripherals.

But i’m really interested in hearing from Leafs fans on the Bunting situation!

[Belexus75]

Bunting for me...i just think he is a better player.

[ross10019]

Bunting for me...i just think he is a better player.

I agree, but he loses him if he doesn’t sign an extension. Are you confident he will?

[pmorrow]

Depends on how competitive you think you'll be this year but I'd probably take my chances with Bunting. The cheapness and the upside with his line mates is secure, and he's playing for the deal that will likely be his biggest. And we don't know if he will be priced out or if Toronto finds a way to work him into their cap. Both have some risk but Marchment is the one going to a new team with some big question marks. Roll the dice and deal with it again a year from now.

[Belexus75]

I agree, but he loses him if he doesn’t sign an extension. Are you confident he will?

not confident at all, there is no roof for big contract, unless they give him 2 years contract with understanding that he will get big raise once some other guys are off the books...but still, not confident at all. And im still taking Bunting.

[lucafen4]

This season - it's Bunting

We know Bunting will line up with AM-MM and get PP2 opps
We don't know exactly where Marchment will line up. Hintz or Benn as his C... Pavelski or Seguin on the other wing.

There won't be an extension until we know how much the cap rises. Less than 2M increase and Bunting walks. If it's 4M range - There's a chance.
I DO NOT like the odds he signs prior to July 1.
I would take Marchment with that factor considered.

[pmorrow]

I will add that Toronto was willing to pay decent money for Hyman. Just not enough to compete with Edmonton. Maybe that happens again with Bunting but who knows. I think Toronto offered Hyman 7 or 8 years at 4 something? Can't remember but that was the ballpark allegedly. He could have a good year and help you win, or he has a down year and gets extended at less than expected.

[Belexus75]

I will add that Toronto was willing to pay decent money for Hyman. Just not enough to compete with Edmonton. Maybe that happens again with Bunting but who knows. I think Toronto offered Hyman 7 or 8 years at 4 something? Can't remember but that was the ballpark allegedly. He could have a good year and help you win, or he has a down year and gets extended at less than expected.

anything can happen, i certainly don't have crystal ball and im not an expert either, but i been watching hockey for a while and i really dont think there is a down side to Buntings game...still relatively inexperienced at NHL level but mature enough to continue what he was doing imo...i think he can be consistent 60-70 guy for at least 5-6 years to come...i love his game...i personally prefer him to Hyman.

[stevegamer]

I'd want Bunting here.

If he signs in Toronto for less than Marchment soon enough, that's a win.
If you decide to trade him in-season, there will be more suitors, as the cap hit is minuscule.
Also, you then have the somewhat substantial cap room to play with.

[chuckcouples]

I ended up keeping Bunting and trading away my 2023 first round pick for Mason Marchment.

I was going to blow up my team and go full tank for the upcoming season but none of the other GMs wanted my veteran players so I had to pivot and go in the exact opposite direction yet again.