PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Currently on injured reserve after an appendectomy, the Pens traded forward Michael Bunting and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Nashville Wednesday night.
Part of the return for Bunting is a former Flyers rival. 35-year-old, right-handed defenseman Luke Schenn comes to the Pens. He is now in his 17th season with one more year on his contract at $2.75 million. He has played in 61 games this year for Nashville with one goal and four assists. In four years with the Flyers, 213 games, 12 goals, 30 assists, 140 penalty minutes and his 14 points against the Pens are second-most against any team. In his NHL career 1,057 games, 44 goals, 159 assists, 848 penalty minutes.
Also part of the trade is 27-year-old, 6’1” center Thomas Novak. In 201 career games with Nashville, 49 goals, 68 assists, including nine goals and 22 assists in 52 games this season. He is signed for the next two seasons at $3.5 million per year.
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Bunting was an everyday player for the Pens before the injury, playing in 58 games with 14 goals (one game-winner) and 15 assists and was a minus 18. The 29-year-old, 6’ winger had one goal since January 7.
Nashville marks Bunting’s fifth different team. He came to the Pens as part of the Jake Guentzel trade.