Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. While their form on the ice has been concerning, the team was also hit with a major jolt earlier today. The team lies at the bottom of the table in the Metropolitan Division, winning just 23 of the 60 games played this season. Additionally, the Penguins are also reeling from the absence of their star winger, who was hit by a saddening update recently, which could keep him on the sidelines for an indefinite period.
Earlier today, it was revealed that Bunting had surgery to remove his appendix. As a result, he would be away from the game for a long time, which is set to further derail the Penguins’ season. The news was confirmed by Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, as the team would have to brace for the absence of their star player. “So he’ll be out here for the next little while. I don’t know the timeframe at this point,” Sullivan said
The star winger underwent appendectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the appendix, a small, finger-shaped organ that is attached to the large intestine. Meanwhile, Bunting was himself going through a rough patch and had a 10-game goal drought before he went out due to the surgery. However, he managed a couple of assists during the same period but couldn’t help his team overcome their rough patch.
Michael Bunting had surgery to remove his appendix, per Mike Sullivan. Out for a while.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) February 27, 2025
All in all, Bunting has 14 goals and 15 assists in the 58 games that he has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. Having joined the Penguins just last season, the 29-year-old almost had a point-per-game in his introductory season with the team, having recorded 6 goals and 13 assists in 21 games. Thus, he became a key member of the Penguins’ lineup and his long-term absence would further pile on the misery for the team.
However, this isn’t the first time in recent months that Biting has been out of action for the Penguins. Last month, he was involved in a shocking accident and missed a key game.
When Pittsburgh Penguins’ Michael Bunting was sidelined after a car accident
It hasn’t been the best of times for Bunting, with off-field issues getting the better of his on-field game. While he underwent surgery to remove his appendix today, Bunting was also involved in an accident last month. Ahead of the Penguins’ game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bunting was involved in a car accident and missed the encounter.
Sharing this update, the team’s head coach, Sullivan, told the reporters, “Michael Bunting was involved in an auto accident before the game. He is OK, but will not play today.” While it could have been much worse for Bunting, he was lucky to escape unscathed and missed the game as a precautionary measure.
However, the appendix surgery could result in Bunting missing the action for months as his comeback date remains uncertain. While Bunting has been in and out of the team due to his physical issues, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a little bit of a breather as their forward, Philip Tomasino, returned after missing a few games due to an injury. Nonetheless, Bunting’s void would be difficult to fill for the Penguins and it remains to be seen how they perform without him.
The post Bad News for Pittsburgh Penguins as Key Player Missing Gets Surgery appeared first on EssentiallySports.
