Dryden Hunt is in for an exciting 2025-26 season if it’s anything like last year

Dryden Hunt has played a great in between role between the Calgary Wranglers and Calgary Flames the last couple of years.

He served as alternate captain of the Wranglers last season and typically played on the top line with Rory Kerins and a mix of William Stromgren, Martin Frk or Sam Morton as the other winger on their line. He is a simple and reliable call-up to make to the Flames as needed. While he didn’t crack the opening roster this season, he did clear waivers and is still available as an option for a call-up.

Meets expectations

Dryden Hunt is one of the only players between the Flames and Wranglers who is expected to perform at the same level as he did last season. There is always room for improvement, but if he is able to light it up for the Wranglers again and contribute if and when the time comes at the Flames, he’s doing his job. 

Hunt was a high performer in the AHL last season and chased Rory Kerins’ scoring all season. This type of dynamic continuing into this season, will challenge them both and keep them ready for their next big step. Dryden Hunt finished with 16 goals and 33 assists in 49 games and averaged a point per game in 2024-25. For the Flames, he played in five games and put up three assists. The expectation is that he sees more NHL time this season. 

Exceeds expectations

Hunt is a great cusp player to have in your club and depending on the scenarios with the NHL forwards, injuries and his own performance, he could got back to his performance in the 2023-24 season, where he split time between leagues. He still knows what it takes to play at the NHL and he’s not going to let any of those opportunities he gets go to waste.

Hunt could hypothetically do more at the AHL, but even if he performs at the same level, the point where he can exceed expectations is at the NHL level. If Hunt is able to even average a point every second or third game in the NHL, he’s going to be above the bar set for him.

Below expectations

Dryden Hunt hasn’t played in a way in the last few seasons where it seems he’s going to fall off his game significantly, but if he’s not able to keep up with himself, he’s going to under-perform. He still needs to be a reliable player to put up points and be on the ice in big game scenarios. Another part of that is the leadership side, helping mentor the new faces and developing prospects in his locker room. If he’s unable to assist on and/or off the ice as much, then it would be an unexpected under-performance. 

Hunt had a career year in the AHL last season and while that may or may not be the peak in his professional career, there would still need to be a lot that goes wrong for him to not contribute positively to the Flames organization. He is reliable and useful at both levels and should have another interesting season to follow along with.