Stan Bowman is closing in on a 63-point forward who's training with Connor McDavid

Michael Bunting has been skating with Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman this summer, and the Oilers rumors are picking up steam.

The buzz started with a post from Bleed Oil Blue on Sunday morning, and it spread fast across hockey circles.

Bunting scored 14 goals and posted 33 points last season, according to the account, while training alongside two of Edmonton's franchise centerpieces. His best season is 63 points.

Edmonton finished last season 41-30-11 for 93 points, good for 14th overall in the league standings.

McDavid put up 138 points last season, 48 goals and 90 assists, numbers that make any winger look better just skating next to him.

He was still rolling in his final ten games too, five goals and eleven assists for 16 points down the stretch.

Hyman added 31 goals and 52 points of his own, proof Edmonton already knows how to squeeze scoring out of a power forward.

So would adding Bunting actually move the needle for a team already built to win right now? That depends on what Stan Bowman is willing to spend.

Draisaitl's cap number complicates Edmonton's math

Leon Draisaitl carries a cap hit of $14,000,000, the largest number on Edmonton's books and among the biggest in the league.

McDavid sits right behind him at $12,500,000, and that combination leaves the front office very little breathing room.

That is exactly why a depth flier like Bunting makes sense for Bowman's staff heading into camp.

His market right now looks like a clearance rack picked over after the holidays. Thin, discounted, still worth a look for the right buyer.

Bowman should scoop him up on a prove-it deal if the price stays low. Bunting plays with an edge below the dots, and Edmonton's bottom six could use exactly that.

Evan Bouchard quarterbacked the blue line to 95 points last season, so the Oilers aren't hurting for offense from the back end. The need is wing scoring, and that is where Bunting fits.

Nothing is signed yet. Summer skates with McDavid don't come with a contract attached, and Edmonton still has other holes to patch before puck drop.