The Toronto Maple Leafs have had their fair share of players who have been known to get under the skin of their opponents. However, after Michael Bunting was suspended from an incident in Game 1, two players immediately come to mind.
One, of course, is Darsa. The other is Nazim Qadri. A little over four years ago – about a week – My destiny has been suspended For the remainder of his team’s first-round series he was ordered by the NHL’s Player Safety Administration to deliver a dangerous cross-check to Boston Bruins’ head forward Jake DeBrusk.
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In the past three days, connections have been made between Ponting’s commentary and Qadri’s similar work. Qadri even tweeted about it, saying he should be left out of the conversation about a similar first-round incident that took place at Bunting. Say what he wants, events ring bells very similar to mine.
In this post, I will take a closer look at both players and compare their careers. Finally, I’m going to wonder if they might experience a similar outcome regarding their relationship with the Maple Leafs.
A quick review of Michael Bunting’s NHL career
Ponting was born on September 17, 1995, in Scarborough, Ontario. He played junior hockey with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). During his time in the OHL, he developed a reputation as a hard-working, physical player with a scoring touch.
Although not drafted, Bunting was signed by the Arizona Coyotes as a free agent in 2014. He has spent most of his professional career with the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League (AHL). However, towards the end of the 2018-2019 season, he got his first opportunity in the NHL. He played a total of 26 games with the Coyotes over the next two seasons, scoring four goals and adding four assists in his senior season.
During the 2020-21 season, Ponting had a breakout year in the NHL. Scored 10 goals and added three assists in just 21 matches. As an unrestricted free agent, he chose to return home to Toronto and sign with the Maple Leafs as a free agent in the summer of 2021. He made it clear that this is where he wants to be.
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Bunting quickly became a fan favorite with his gritty playing style and willingness to go into the net. In his rookie season, he scored 23 goals and came third in Calder Trophy voting (the award given to the best rookie in the NHL). He was also a key contributor to the team’s success in the 2022-23 season, scoring 23 goals while playing on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
A quick review of Nazem Kadri’s career in the NHL
Although Kadri is only five years older than Ponting, he has had a longer career in the NHL. This season, he finished his 14th season in the National Hockey League. He is also from Ontario. Born October 6, 1990 in London. He was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the first round, seventh overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Kadri played hockey with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was outstanding. In his final season with the Knights, he had 93 points in just 56 games. He entered Third place in the vote To receive the Red Tilson Award as the most valuable player in the OHL.
Kadri made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs in the 2009-10 season, but did not become a full-time starter until the latter half of the 2012-13 season. Starting in 2013, he established himself as a skilled offensive player. He scored 61 points in the 2016-2017 season. Kadri was also known for his physical play and willingness to defend his teammates. He played with an edge and was often involved in scuffles on the ice.
Similar to Bunting, these brawls have led to a growing reputation for playing dirty. Kadri has been evaluated for a number of suspensions and fines for illegal injuries and other on-ice incidents.
Qadri was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019. Although no one in the Maple Leafs organization said it out loud, the penalties that came at tough times in the season may have become a huge problem for the team.
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It was hard to say when or how far Qadri would “burst” off the line. It was also difficult to say what and when these actions might arise and cost the Maple Leafs. There were times when he seemed to lack control over his actions.
In the 2021-22 season, Kadri became a key player for the Avalanche and helped lead his team to victory in the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Last season, he put in an offensive performance while also playing with physical strength and toughness. After his contract expired on July 1, 2022, he signed with the Calgary Flames. The Flames finished the season outside the playoffs.
Comparing Bunting’s and Kadri’s functions
It is somehow difficult to compare Qadri’s career with the Maple Leafs to that of the Pennants. They had different career paths and different roles on their team. Kadri played for the Maple Leafs for a decade, establishing himself as a skilled offensive player and reliable offensive center. He did everything to get a friend to the team.
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Kadri had some productive seasons in Toronto, including a 32-goal season, and averaged nearly a point per game in the 2017-18 season. However, Kadri also had discipline problems, particularly in the playoffs. Like Ponting, he was suspended for serious blows. He desperately wanted to stay in Toronto, but finally agreed to trade him to the Avalanche.
In contrast, Bunting is a relatively new addition to the Maple Leafs, signing with the team as a free agent in 2021. In his two seasons with the team, he has been a hard-working, physical player who brings energy and grit to the team. He also loves to play in Toronto and also does so under contract with the team.
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Kadri and Bunting both played for the Maple Leafs and brought different powers to the ice. However, different types of players have different playing styles. However, Kadri and Bunting are both involved in physical play and bringing energy to the ice. They also walk the line in terms of taking poorly considered penalties.
In terms of crossing the line, Qadri’s infractions came as a surprise. He was a pest, but he was also more of a ticking time bomb. He seemed stuck in the moment, usually trying to defend his teammate. On the other hand, Bunting always seemed to make it clear that he knew exactly where the line was and that he was choosing to skate close to it. His pest-like play is gentler and more straightforward.
Both players are talented, but that talent comes at a potential cost to their team. Four seasons later, both players were suspended during the three-game first-round series.
4 major similarities between Bunting and Kardi, and 5 possible
There are four similarities between Bunting and Kadri which I think can be summarized as follows:
- Both players are known for tackling their opponents and playing with the body.
- The two players got into fights on the ice, which led to a growing reputation for being pests.
- Both players have been suspended from play for illegal hits or other on-ice incidents.
- Both players were assessed for offenses that contributed to the team’s losses in crucial matches.
Now there must be some concern as to whether another Kadri and Bunting similarity is on its way. Does Bunting’s latest comment highlight his lack of self-control? Furthermore, is his playing style similar to that of former Maple Leafs Qadri, who had a history of suspensions during his time with the team?
Related: Nazem Kadri laughs at Michael Banting’s negative comparisons
The real question now is whether Ponting and Qadri will soon share the same fate. Specifically, will Bunting’s playing style lead to him being traded or released by the team? Many of Qadri’s decisions were seen as selfish and timely. They frustrated both the fans and the management. In much the same way, hockey analysts have suggested that Bunting is close to being “Kadri 2.0”.
If so, what will happen next? Will he leave too?