After a disappointing 2025-26 season, the New York Rangers have responded by having a very active offseason. After months of trade rumors, the Rangers dealt center Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth in a big swap. However, the Rangers also brought in a ton of new talent this offseason, including Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Joe Veleno, and Joonas Korpisalo.
Given the Rangers’ aggressiveness this offseason, it is clear that they are entering next season with the hope of being far more competitive. However, if they want to help their chances of that further, they would be wise to add another forward to their roster to solidify their top nine.
Although many of this year’s top unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have been signed at this point of the summer, there are still some interesting options left. One specific UFA forward who the Rangers should strongly consider signing at this point in the offseason is winger Michael Bunting. He would help improve their forward group and make the Rangers look a bit stronger on paper.
Where Michael Bunting Could Fit in the Rangers’ Lineup If Signed
If the Rangers signed Bunting, he would have the potential to be a very strong addition to their top nine. When looking at a specific spot in the Rangers’ lineup where Bunting could fit, their third line with Bjorkstrand and Noah Laba stands out. Bunting would give this line a winger who not only can chip in decent secondary offensive production but also a bit of an edge.
Bunting would also give the Rangers another option for their second power play unit. He can be effective in front of the net because of his tenacity, so he would have the potential to benefit the Rangers in this area as well.
Yet, Bunting could also even be a fit on the Rangers’ second line with J.T. Miller and Alexis Lafreniere if they ever wanted to switch things up. He has shown in the past that he can work as a top-six winger, so there would be no harm in the Rangers signing him to a one-year, prove-it deal.
Bunting’s Past Success Makes Him An Intriguing Option for the Rangers
While Bunting had 14 goals and 33 points in 74 games last season split between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, his past success makes him an interesting bounce-back candidate option for the Rangers. The 6-foot forward scored at least 19 goals from 2021-22 to 2024-25, so he has shown that he can be a solid goal-scorer when playing at his best.
Bunting also notably recorded at least 49 points from 2021-22 to 2023-24. This included during the 2021-22 season when he scored 23 goals and set career highs with 40 assists and 63 points in 79 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. With all of this, he could be a very intriguing player for the Rangers to add to their roster.
If the Rangers signed Bunting and he regained his previous form, he could be a very valuable addition to their roster. It will be interesting to see if they try to sign him, but the fit looks good on paper.
NY Rangers Should Sign Former 63-Point Forward Right Now