PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Flyers have agreed a one-year, $1.2-million deal with free agent forward Michael Bunting as they look to stabilise their offence after a difficult start to the season, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. The Flyers are 0-2-2 and sit bottom of the Metropolitan Division with a minus-12 goal differential.
The 31-year-old recorded 14 goals and 33 points in 74 games last season split between the Nashville Predators and the Dallas Stars. He was traded to the Stars from the Predators ahead of the trade deadline last season in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Bunting became an unrestricted free agent this summer when Dallas did not re-sign him after his three-year, $13.5-million contract expired at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. He originally signed that deal with the Carolina Hurricanes on 1 July 2023. Prior to that, he spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Arizona Coyotes, with his most productive offensive season coming in 2021-22 with the Maple Leafs when he registered 23 goals and 63 points in 79 games.
He was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Coyotes as a member of the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL. Philadelphia are bringing in one of the top remaining free agents to add experience and scoring depth as they seek their first win of the campaign.