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Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward hits waivers as NHL hopes fizzles out
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Waivers have been incredibly active to start the NHL season, and now, a former Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies forward is hitting the market.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had quite a few players come and go since the start of the decade. The COVID Taxi squad was iconic in its own right, and in the years that followed, plenty of plug-and-play guys came and went.
One of those players was Dryden Hunt. The 30-year-old winger played for the Maple Leafs during the 2022-23 season. He played nine games for the Leafs and 15 games for the Toronto Marlies.
During that same season, he was picked up by the Calgary Flames, who immediately sent him down to the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL.
Over the last couple of years, Hunt has bounced between the Wranglers and Flames, and has only played two games in the NHL this season.
Calgary Flames put Dryden Hunt on waivers
With Hunt barely able to crack the lineup, he has been placed on waivers by the Calgary Flames organization. It remains to be seen if he will be picked up.
Given his 54 points in 237 career NHL games, it feels unlikely that someone will pick him up for their NHL roster. Instead, he is likely to go back to the Wranglers.
At the end of the day, players like Hunt are destined to bounce between the AHL and the NHL for their entire careers. At 30 years old, this is especially true.
Having said that, it is unlikely that the Leafs would consider bringing Hunt back to the team. The Leafs have too many forwards right now, and there would be no room for him.
Regardless, we do wish Hunt the best as his NHL career continues. Hopefully, he can find a true NHL home that lasts him a while.
For now, however, it does appear as though his time with the Calgary Wranglers will continue.