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The Next Michael Bunting: Group 6 UFA’s for the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Mike Jack

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs made the NHL’s best discount free agent signing last offseason by signing Michael Bunting to a two year deal worth an average of $950,000 per season as Bunting became the NHL’s best point-per-dollar player this season (excluding entry level contracts).

Michael Bunting (who has one more year on the contract he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer) was selected as part of a small grouping of free agents that become available each offseason known as Group 6 UFA’s.  These players are generally some of the youngest unrestricted free agents available, and they can usually be taken at a discount since their NHL sample size is small making them relatively unproven.

Group 6 UFA’s are players on expiring contracts who are at least 25 years old, they’ve played at least three professional seasons (NHL, minor leagues or European professional leagues), but they’ve played less than 80 NHL games (28 NHL games of at least 30 minutes for goaltenders).

The Toronto Maple Leafs took chances on a few Group 6 UFA’s this season by signing Bunting and Carl Dahlström to NHL deals and Josh Ho-Sang to an AHL contract.  Dahlström played three NHL games and put up two assists in an injury relief role for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

The Leafs are sure to be paying close attention to this offseason’s class of Group 6 UFA’s hoping to attract another player who can impact the club in a positive way like Michael Bunting has.

Top 5 Available Group 6 UFA’s for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Here are five players eligible to become Group 6 UFA’s when the NHL free agent frenzy begins on July 13th that I think the Toronto Maple Leafs will consider signing.

As I’m writing, this all of these players are eligible Group 6 UFA’s, but their is a chance they could be re-signed by their current teams before the free agent signing period begins.

A few honourable mentions not on this list  include former NHL first round draft picks, Nick Merkley and Samuel Morin, former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, Dakota Joshua, and current Toronto Maple Leafs forward, Brett Seney. (stats hockeyreference.com).

Let’s start with a player Toronto Maple Leafs fans should remember fondly:

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