The Carolina Hurricanes continue to load after adding defender Dmitry Orlov, as they have signed forward Michael Ponting to a three-year, $13.5 million deal.
Banting looked like he had a bright future with the Toronto Maple Leafs as he scored 46 goals, 66 assists, and 112 points in 161 games during his two-year tenure. His 63 points in 79 games in 2021-22 saw him win the Calder Memorial Trophy for the league’s most valuable rookie, and he was on a friendly, $1.9 million two-year contract. It saw a drop in production this past season with just 49 points in 82 games but was still the fifth-best scoring team. The 27-year-old showed that the attacking skill was there. On top of that, constantly playing alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner certainly helped produce him.
However, last season, he found himself in trouble taking some unnecessary penalties and even getting a three-game suspension in the playoffs for an illegal check to the head on Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Eric Cernak during the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He ended up seeing a few health scrapes and seemed to miss out on a consistent role with the team throughout the regular season, moving from the top six to the bottom six in hopes of trying to get him back into his senior year. Self.
The Hurricanes needed to score, which was a huge lack for them, especially in the playoffs. Bunting goes well with an ensemble of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Jespery Kotkaniemi, Jordan Stahl, and more. He is also known as a penalty taker at his best due to having a disruptive and competitive side to his game. The Hurricanes’ unique combination of leadership and fast-paced style of play led by head coach Rod Bryndamour should help Ponting get back into form and help the Hurricanes deep into the D.C. area.
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