Michael Bunting's passion is flawed but essential for Leafs

Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting has taken more penalties than almost any other NHLer this season but the 27-year-old has put together another 20+ goal season and his passion and energy will be key to Toronto's postseason success.

Video Transcript

- Passion. Close your eyes and think about passion. Who's the most passionate player on the Leafs? It has to be Bunting. It has to be Michael Bunting.

Literally, when it comes to the celebrations, I think he celebrates like every single goal. There might have been only like one or two goals he was just like, yes, yes, that was cool, right? The hits, the heavy play, him getting angry at other players, at himself, at the refs, like literally screaming when he got high sticked and there was blood and there wasn't a call.

So when it comes to overall passion and energy, enthusiasm, literally wanting to be a Leaf-- there are so many times where Michael Bunting talks about growing up in Scarborough, being part of-- wanting to be part of the organization, coming to Toronto to play for Sheldon Keefe. Like, everything about him just reeks of that passion that we all have as Leafs fans. So when it comes to the passion award, that has to go to Michael Bunting.