If you have a choice, Michael Bunting will be on Saturday night As soon as it becomes, the net to cause havoc and create space for one of his superstar Maple Leafs linemates.
"Everyone is really excited to see what this team can bring next year," Banting said.He said in an interview with Toronto Sun. 32} on Friday. "I can't wait for this season to start. I have a lot of time to go to the training camp, but I want to do it."
For bunting, start the second season with Reefs This is a step further from what we achieved in 2021-22 after signing a two-year contract with a free agency club last July.
This week, when the National Hockey League announced the winners on Tuesday night in Tampa, Banting didn't win the Calder Trophy. .. But that doesn't hurt what he achieved in 79 games against his home team.
With a total of 63 points (23 goals and 40 assists), bunting was enough to lead all NHL rookie scores, but his age ( Bunting turns 27 in September) and the stellar season by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Cider was a factor in Calder's vote.
Still, Banting harmonizes well with Heart Trophy winners Orston Matthews and Mitch Manner after having the opportunity to play at the top line of Reefs. I have an idea of his goal when it starts.
"We have to show that this year wasn't a fluke," Banting said. "I need to be consistent because it's what good hockey players do. They do it every year. So definitely I need to level up my game.
"I'm not happy with what I did. Fortunately, I landed there with Matty and Mitch, gelled, and rolled together all year long.
" I Was proud of how to handle everything himself. It was a pretty way to get to NHL. I stuck to my game and believed in myself. And that By doing everything, it's been a pretty successful year. "
Bunting after Reefs was eliminated on May 14th in Game 7 of the opening round by Tampa Bay Lightning. Was absent for a few weeks. Seasonal injuries that kept him away from Game 1 of the series.
Banting scored goals and two assists in six games against Lightning. Bunting's post-season shift in professional hockey was only when he played nine games in the American Hockey League Twoson in 2018.
The fierceness of Lightning and the constant battles before and after each piece of ice were a bit spectacular for Banting.
"I learned how difficult it is, it's another animal in the playoff," Banting said. "I was happy to experience that because I knew what I needed next year and how I needed to get more games after the playoff hit.
"(Loss to Tampa) It definitely hurts. To be honest, I haven't seen much hockey. I probably tune each game for a period of time or just look at the box score.
" Last year when I was with (Arizona) Coyote, we didn't participate in the playoff, so you didn't really feel like you were missing. When you played in the playoff and were knocked out, It feels weird. It's not fun to say the least. "
Banting has been in the gym for a few weeks and will be back on ice in July for an important season for him. I will prepare. He heads to an unlimited free agency next summer and plans to raise his salary significantly after completing an average annual contract of US $ 950,000.
"I'll try to keep it out of my mind as much as possible," Banting said. "I don't want to get in the way, because if it comes to my mind, I won't be able to play the game. I just want to focus on the win and help this team win."
tkoshan@postmedia.com
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