Arizona Coyotes’ Michael Bunting out to show he can continue to score in NHL

The jetlag has long since worn off, the workouts in preparation for next season are soon to start and the gold medal is never too far away from Michael Bunting. 

The Arizona Coyotes forward is enjoying some time at home near Toronto, about a week and a half since playing for Team Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship and winning a gold medal after Canada lost its first three games of the tournament in Riga, Latvia. 

The 2021-2022 NHL season is a bigger one for Bunting, he said Thursday when reached by phone. First, his hope is to re-sign with the Coyotes before becoming a free agent in late July. Then, to show that his breakout rookie campaign of 10 goals and three assists in just 21 games in 2021 is what he is capable of every season. 

Playing in the World Championship only further solidified the 25-year-old Bunting’s belief that he can be a good NHL player, after getting a chance to prove himself with the Coyotes and spending the four previous seasons at AHL Tucson with the Roadrunners, working toward an opportunity.

“It was a lot of fun. I got to try different things with my game, and it just gave me more confidence going into the next season knowing that I am capable of playing at this level in any situation,” Bunting said of the experience in Latvia. “I’m not done proving yet that I do belong in the NHL and I am a solid player. 

“I’ve got to keep proving, like I said, that I do belong and keep producing like I have been. So that’s the plan and I’ve just got to keep it rolling.”

Bunting starts skating and working out on Monday, he said, after getting some much-needed time off. He will ramp up the skating sessions come August, and will focus on getting stronger while not adding weight so as to maintain speed and do battle in front of the net, which became his calling card and contributed greatly to his offensive production.

Coyotes/Roadrunners defenseman Kyle Capobianco will join Bunting once a week on the ice. 

Neither his agent nor the Coyotes have reached out to let Bunting know that contract discussions have begun, he said, but he feels both parties have simply decided to let him enjoy family time at home before diving into the business side. 

As for the team’s search for a new head coach, Bunting looks forward to meeting whomever it will be. 

“I’m excited to see who it is, and I don’t think that will change my mind about anything. Whoever does come in, I’m excited for,” Bunting said. “Arizona has become my second home. I’m very comfortable with being there, so I’m excited to see what lies ahead.”

Bunting’s season debut was March 31, in which he scored a goal. The 2 ½ months that followed saw him register his first career hat trick on April 5 at Los Angeles and later make NHL history by playing his first 14 career games on the road (December 11, 2018 through April 14, 2021). 

In that first home game of the season with the Coyotes, April 17, he scored a goal. Soon after that came an unexpected invitation to play for Canada at the World Championship, and then an unprecedented run to the gold medal with Coyotes teammates Adin Hill and Darcy Kuemper also representing Canada.

“Everyone kind of doubted us and counted us out, and for us to be able to overcome all that adversity and win that, I think it felt even better for us,” Bunting said.

More:Michael Bunting reprising Coyotes role, playing style with Canada at hockey World Championships

A celebration in the arena lasted a while, then another one at the team hotel. It wasn’t long before the players were packed up and on buses to the airport to head back to North America. 

Bunting played with and against NHL players in Latvia, and appeared in every game there.

“I’ve always believed in myself to be able to make that jump to the NHL. I’ve been a very solid American league player for a long time,” Bunting said. “It was just a matter of me getting my chance and this year, the Coyotes gave me my chance and I didn’t take anything for granted and I tried to make the best of the opportunities. Lucky enough it worked out for me.”

Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.