Bunting (abdomen) and a 2026 fourth-round pick were traded to the Predators from the Penguins on Wednesday in exchange for Thomas Novak and Luke Schenn, Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting is out indefinitely while recovering from an appendectomy he underwent Feb. 27. The 29-year-old will probably be able to return prior to the end of the regular season, but that's not the focus for the Predators, who get a top-six winger under contract for 2025-26. Bunting has a little grit in his game and can be a power-play force, but the Predators will need to bounce back as a team to avoid tanking his fantasy value. With the Penguins this season, Bunting put up 29 points (15 on the power play) in 58 appearances.

Bunting was put on injured reserve Thursday after undergoing appendix surgery.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting was already regarded as being out indefinitely due to the surgery, so his placement on IR doesn't come as a surprise. He has 14 goals and 29 points in 58 appearances in 2024-25. Emil Bemstrom was recalled from the minors in a corresponding move and is a possibility to serve in a bottom-six capacity during Bunting's absence, though Bokondji Imama will compete with Bemstrom for that spot.

Bunting recently underwent surgery to remove his appendix and will be sidelined indefinitely, Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting is currently mired in a 10-game goal drought during which he registered 20 shots, two assists and eight hits. With Bunting on the shelf, the Penguins may not have to send Matt Nieto to the minors after placing him on waivers Wednesday. Pittsburgh's season is all but over, so there will be no rush to get Bunting back into the lineup.

Bunting (illness) missed Wednesday's practice, according to Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting has 14 goals and 29 points in 58 appearances in 2024-25. If he's not able to play Thursday versus Philadelphia, then Matt Nieto will probably draw back into the lineup.

Bunting logged a power-play assist, three shots on goal and two PIM in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting's last five points -- in a span of 14 games -- have all come on the power play. He snapped a five-game point drought Friday with his helper. For the season, the 29-year-old winger is at 28 points (15 on the power play), 100 shots on net, 57 hits, 48 PIM and a minus-16 rating through 54 contests. His even-strength play is likely to remain mediocre until his usual center, Evgeni Malkin (lower body), gets back in the lineup.

Bunting scored a power-play goal on three shots and went minus-2 in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting prevented a shutout loss when he scored in the second period. He had been limited to two assists over his last six outings. The winger is up to 14 goals, 13 assists, 90 shots on net, 51 hits, 46 PIM and a minus-15 rating through 48 appearances. If Bryan Rust (lower body) misses additional time, Bunting could be a candidate to see more ice time.

Bunting provided a power-play assist, two hits and two PIM in Friday's 5-2 win over the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting had been held off the scoresheet in his previous two appearances and also missed one game in that span due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old winger has six goals and four assists over his last 11 outings, and seven of those points have come on the power play. He's up to 26 points (13 on the power play), 84 shots on net, 50 hits, 44 PIM and a minus-15 rating through 45 contests.

Bunting (undisclosed) will return to the lineup against Seattle on Tuesday, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting sat out Sunday's 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay after being involved in a car accident outside PPG Paints Arena. He has registered 13 goals, 25 points, 84 shots on net, 48 hits and 42 PIM through 43 appearances this season. With Bunting back and Evgeni Malkin (upper body) considered a game-time decision, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matt Nieto could be healthy scratches versus the Kraken.

Bunting (undisclosed) won't play against Tampa Bay on Sunday, according to Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site.

EDGE Analysis

On Sunday, Bunting was involved in a car accident outside PPG Paints Arena. Coach Mike Sullivan told the media that Bunting is doing okay, but the 29-year-old forward will miss at least one game. Bunting has 13 goals, 25 points, 84 shots on net, 48 hits and 42 PIM through 43 appearances this season. Philip Tomasino (lower body) will replace Bunting in Sunday's lineup.

Bunting scored a power-play goal on three shots in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Bunting tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period. The winger has six goals and two assists over his last seven games, and five of those eight points have come on the power play. Bunting figures to stay productive as long as he's on the top power-play unit, though a second-line role at even strength is also a good spot. The 29-year-old has 13 tallies, 24 points (11 on the power play), 81 shots on net, 46 hits, 32 PIM and a minus-11 rating through 41 appearances. He's behind last year's 55-point pace, but Bunting has momentum on his side heading into the second half of 2024-25.