The Dallas Stars had another busy trade deadline as Jim Nill was hard at work adding the final touches to the roster before a potential Stanley Cup run.
A day after landing veteran defenseman Tyler Myers, the Stars added some scoring depth in a deal with Nashville for Michael Bunting.
Here are five things to know about the veteran forward.
1. The basics
Sports Roundup
Name: Michael Bunting
Height: 6-0 Weight: 186 pounds
Position: Left wing
Hometown: Scarborough, Ontario
Birthday: Sept. 17, 1995
Draft: Round 4, 117th overall in the 2014 NHL draft
2. What he brings to Dallas
Stars GM Jim Nill was in search of some scoring depth for the lineup and he found that in Bunting. The Stars sent Seattle’s 2026 third-round pick, which was acquired in the Mason Marchment trade, to Nashville in exchange for the left winger.
“Michael is a tremendous addition to our roster,” Nill said in a statement. “His goal scoring ability mixed with physicality makes him extremely tough to play against. We are looking forward to seeing him on the ice in Dallas.”
The 30-year-old forward has 13 goals and 18 assists in 61 games so far this season and has a history of providing some scoring punch. He has two seasons of 20-plus goals and has eclipsed 30 points in every full season of his career.
3. Rookie sensation
Bunting’s rookie season was very impressive and earned him some reocgnition.
In 2021-22 with Toronto, Bunting tallied 23 goals and 40 assists in 79 games and was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie team alongside Lucas Raymond, Trevor Zegras, Alexandre Carrier, Moritz Seider and Jeremy Swayman.
He also finished third in voting for the Calder Trophy, given to the league’s top rookie, behind Seider and Zegras. Bunting did receive seven first-place votes, but the award ultimately went to Seider in a landslide.
4. A popular trade target
Bunting is on his on his fifth team in four seasons, but it’s not due to anything particularly negative. With the latest deal that sent him to Dallas, Bunting has been traded at three consecutive trade deadlines.
He was a sought-after free agent when his time in Toronto came to an end, ultimately signing a three-year, $13.5 million contract with Carolina ahead of the 2023-24 season. Carolina then dealt him to Pittsburgh at the 2024 trade deadline as a part of a massive trade package that landed Jake Guentzel. At the 2025 trade deadline, Pittsburgh sent Bunting to Nashville along with a fourth-round pick for Luke Schenn and Tommy Novak.
It’s safe to say Bunting is used to joining a new team midseason.
5. An underlying benefit
Michael Bunting, acquired by DAL, is a middle-six complementary winger who hangs out around the slot grappling for tips and rebounds or getting open for back-door passes. Puck skills are there but limited. Plays with some edge and draws penalties. #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/NxQMsxsgif
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 5, 2026
Metrics-wise, Bunting is a nice wing to have in the middle six of a lineup that brings some offensive ability. However, one key aspect he’ll bring to Dallas is his ability to draw penalties.
Over the last three years, Bunting ranks in the 89th percentile among forwards at drawing penalties. That’s especially valuable for a Dallas team with a lethal power play. At the time of the trade, the Stars’ power play ranks second in the NHL at 30%.
Friday’s TV/Radio listings (March 6)Crayola Experience reopens at Willow Bend as Dallas Stars talk persists
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.