Brad Treliving is known as being on of the most active GM’s in the league, virtually in on every deal, and potential signing. So it should come as no surprise that the Calgary Flames are among a list of suitors to sign the WHL’s leading scorer, Dryden Hunt.
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According to Darren Dreger, the Calgary Flames are among five teams in the ‘hunt’ for Dryden Hunt.
So who is Dryden Hunt?
Dryden Hunt is from Nelson B.C. and is currently in his fifth year in the WHL. He is 20 years old, and has average size at 6 ft tall and 200 pounds, shooting left.
Dryden is undrafted due to never really putting up substantial numbers in the WHL. He has attended two NHL rookie camps, Carolina and Montreal, but did not get a contract from either of those teams.
So why all the hype?
Hunt has put up insane numbers this year with 49 goals and 50 assists in 69 games, en route to leading the Dub in scoring. Hunt has put up around a point per game previously in his junior career, but nothing like the offensive explosion he has been having this year, leaving a lot of teams drooling over his services.
I mean the guy had 4 hat-tricks in 5 games!
Crazy stat in any league.
Apparently Hunt battled through some concussion issues earlier in his career, but he is now finally healthy. The fact that he is incredibly confident, and is in the best shape of his life right now probably contributed to his breakout season, and why he now finds himself on the Calgary Flames radar.
Hunt is a good skater with a hard accurate shot, and a nose for the net. While not being overly big, he seems to be able to work his way into the high-traffic areas, and gets his shots off quickly; something that could prove useful for the Calgary Flames.
Hunt is a good skater with a hard accurate shot, and a nose for the net. While not being overly big, he seems to be able to work his way into the high-traffic areas, and gets his shots off quickly.
The thing that impresses me most about Hunt is his ability to finish around the net. Hunt scores most of his goals about 5-10 feet from the net, using his wicked shot to beat goalies rather than crashing the net hard.
While there have been players in the past who have had offensive breakouts as older players in major junior, only to fizzle at a higher level, Hunt has the potential to be an impact player for the Calgary Flames.
The fact that he has such a good release in the high slot would make him a good fit on the wing with the likes of Gaudreau, Monahan, and Bennett passing him the puck.
The risk that he could be a bust is one the Calgary Flames should take with Hunt, because if he pans out it would solidify the skill level on the wing, especially in combination with the newly acquired Hunter Shinkaruk.
Related Story: Calgary Flames Win The Hunter Shinkaruk Trade
But unfortunately there are four other teams pursuing Hunt, all with as a good a shot as the Calgary Flames to sign him.
Next: Calgary Flames Looking At Montreal Canadiens Trade
There are no guarantees Hunt will be anything but a flash in the pan, but the Calgary Flames need to continue building their skill level on the wing.
Will Brad Treliving be able to pull another rabbit out of the hat for the Calgary Flames? Sound off in the comments section below.