Sometimes it’s the under-the-radar signings that end up paying off the most, and the Calgary Flames may have one of those on their hands.
On June 20, the club re-signed forward Dryden Hunt to a two-year, two-way extension worth $825,000 annually—a smart piece of business that could fly below the headlines, but won’t go unnoticed inside the room.
Hunt, 29, is exactly the type of player NHL teams need in the grind of an 82-game season. Versatile, reliable, and quietly productive, he’s shown he can slide seamlessly into a bottom-six role on the big club when needed. Last year, Hunt got into five games with the Flames and chipped in three assists—providing steady minutes, no drama, just doing his job.
Where Hunt really made his mark was with the Wranglers. He was a point-per-game player in the AHL last season, notching 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points in 49 games. That production put him third in team scoring and set a new career high. Simply put—he proved he can drive offence at that level, while also being the kind of player who can get called up without missing a beat.
That’s where Hunt’s value shines. Injuries happen. Lineups change. You need guys who can step in, play responsibly, and even provide a little spark. Hunt checks all those boxes. He’s not just a placeholder—he’s got good hockey sense, can finish when given chances, and has the veteran poise that only comes from more than 230 games of NHL experience.
Since coming over from the Toronto Maple Leafs in March 2023, Hunt has been exactly what the Flames hoped for: a dependable pro who understands the system and is a well-regarded teammate. At 6’0”, 193 pounds, the Cranbrook, B.C. native brings size, stability and a willingness to battle which makes him useful in a variety of situations.
This isn’t the kind of signing that grabs national headlines, but it’s the type of move that helps you win games mid-season when injuries start piling up. Hunt knows what it takes to be ready, and he’ll be sticking around Calgary for the next two seasons.
For the Flames, that’s a good bit of business—and for Hunt, it’s another chance to prove just how valuable a steady veteran can be in today’s NHL.