Flames interested in signing WHL overager Dryden Hunt. UPD: Expected to sign with FLA

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Pliddy

I totally agree with the earlier poster that thought Hunt would just be a wasted contract spot. How many of his 50 goals were scored on 16-17 year old defenceman and goalies? The problem with the 20 year old overagers is it is literally men against boys. I would be a lot more excited about an unsigned NCAA free agent who is getting 2 points a game against his peers

Disagree with this totally and never understood this about NHL teams. They sign tons of NCAA free agents but very few CHL (or even CIS) free agents. Seems to be a wacky idea that only NCAA players can be late bloomers while CHL players are done developing once they turn 18.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Disagree with this totally and never understood this about NHL teams. They sign tons of NCAA free agents but very few CHL (or even CIS) free agents. Seems to be a wacky idea that only NCAA players can be late bloomers while CHL players are done developing once they turn 18.

It has everything to do with quality of competition. It is much more difficult to play a game against men than it is against boys. That is why the NHL will look long and hard at a player in the NCAA rather than a player from junior hockey. When you are a man playing againsr boys the game comes much easier and you attain much greater success.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by New Era

It has everything to do with quality of competition. It is much more difficult to play a game against men than it is against boys. That is why the NHL will look long and hard at a player in the NCAA rather than a player from junior hockey. When you are a man playing againsr boys the game comes much easier and you attain much greater success.

Any 19/20 year old CHL guy you are looking to pick up is playing against the other team's best players. They aren't on the 4th line getting match-ups against rookies constantly.

It makes no logical sense that people who go to NCAA can be late developers while CHL players cannot be. Its not like NCAA free agents who sign are constantly succeeding - 5%-10% make it? Why not look somewhere else and see what you can find.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Any 19/20 year old CHL guy you are looking to pick up is playing against the other team's best players. They aren't on the 4th line getting match-ups against rookies constantly.

It makes no logical sense that people who go to NCAA can be late developers while CHL players cannot be. Its not like NCAA free agents who sign are constantly succeeding - 5%-10% make it? Why not look somewhere else and see what you can find.

The difference being that NCAA players will have 2-3 more years of development time, playing against players that are 19-23 versus those 20 year olds who have been playing against 16-19 year olds. Again, NCAA players are playing against men, while junior players are playing against boys.

Do yourself a favor and check out the winners of the Leo Lalonde trophy in the OHL. The best over age players rarely turn into anything of note, especially ones that failed to be drafted. Ironically, there are a few ex-Flames picks/prospects on that list. Ugh!

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by New Era

The difference being that NCAA players will have 2-3 more years of development time, playing against players that are 19-23 versus those 20 year olds who have been playing against 16-19 year olds. Again, NCAA players are playing against men, while junior players are playing against boys.

Do yourself a favor and check out the winners of the Leo Lalonde trophy in the OHL. The best over age players rarely turn into anything of note, especially ones that failed to be drafted. Ironically, there are a few ex-Flames picks/prospects on that list. Ugh!

I also don't look at over-agers as anything special. Usually.

In this case, there seems to be something out of the norm, as 5 teams are actively interested in signing him. Usually these overagers end up signing after getting an invite to camp, or from an ATO to one of the AHL squads, and then do enough to get a contract from the parent club.

The fact that he is drawing more interest leads me to believe that POTENTIALLY, there could be more to him than what we normally see from over-agers who have scored at a high clip but don't have much (if any) NHL upside.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by New Era

The difference being that NCAA players will have 2-3 more years of development time, playing against players that are 19-23 versus those 20 year olds who have been playing against 16-19 year olds. Again, NCAA players are playing against men, while junior players are playing against boys.

Do yourself a favor and check out the winners of the Leo Lalonde trophy in the OHL. The best over age players rarely turn into anything of note, especially ones that failed to be drafted. Ironically, there are a few ex-Flames picks/prospects on that list. Ugh!

I'm not saying its going to work out often. Just think its a potential avenue for players that teams shouldn't overlook. The NCAA free agents work out very rarely as well, but that doesn't stop 10-20 from getting signed each year.

[Enoch Root]

I get that using a contract on an over-ager is usually a waste.

However, the Flames are in a position where they a) have room and b) will be continuing to move out contracts not only this year, but next year as well.

The Flames have plenty of room to take a chance on a kid if the scouts like him.

[GranteedEV]

Dub from Above's scouting reports on him

Before 2014 Draft:

Hard working kid with nice instincts around the net and a good shot. Had a fabulous second half of the year, continuing on into the playoffs. Has suffered major concussion issues in the past, so hopefully that's behind him. I don't see him getting drafted, but he could be a strong overage pick next year if he can maintain his health and grow his offensive skillset further.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/20...try-draft.html


Mid-2015(Sorry, I wrote this as yesterday but it was Feb 24 2015):

We go from one “overager” in Helewka to another in Dryden Hunt who is tied with Jesse Gabrielle as the shortest player on this list at 6’0. But, despite being only 6’0, he’s built like a fire hydrant as he is thick and powerful. While his top speed is pretty decent for a player of his mass, his footwork and acceleration both could still use some cleaning up. His size and strength definitely help him excel in other areas of the game as he is tough to play against along the walls and in the corners and regularly throws powerful hits. He has the ability to both handle and execute tough passes, giving him a nice complement to his best asset which is his shot. Hunt absolutely rips the puck, including having an extremely dangerous one-timer. His well-rounded and impressive skillset has translated into 28 goals split between Regina and Medicine Hat this year, chalking up an additional 46 assists for 74 points in 59 games. Hunt is my highest-ranked overager for the 2015 NHL Draft as he currently sits well inside my top 20 among all WHL players. I know there is some decent buzz around him among NHL scouts and I would think it’s fairly safe to assume he might come off the board somewhere in the area of the 4th round.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/20...and-skill.html

Before 2015 Draft:

Notes: Hunt is a kid who has done nothing but grow and improve since finally getting healthy after dealing with some concussion issues earlier in his junior career. He came in at 30th on my list last year after a great second half to the year and I think he’s worth a strong look again this season. He is a hard worker, is a strong skater with power and good edgework, has great offensive instincts and owns a fantastic shot. After 40 points in 62 games last year he’s up to 26 points in 23 games so far this season.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/20...-for-2015.html

[Badgers Nose]

Sounds like exactly the kind of hard working kid I hope gets a chance. Preferably here.

Now if we could only Tuvix him with Colborne.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by handgroen

what kind of name is dryden?

its a goalie name

[SuperMatt18]

So the kid is built like a fire hydrant, plays physical, is a decent passer, and his best attribute is a good shot.

Needs to work on skating but all signs point that it has already improved that area of his game.

Plus he lost a lot of development time to concussions so being a bit of a late bloomer may be expected.

Sounds like a pretty good risk when the only cost will be a roster spot.

[Sylvanfan]

Honestly what would be the difference between signing this guy and like Austin Carrol or Tim Harrison.

Just because the Flames used a pick on those guys those wouldn't be wasted contracts, but this would be?

It's not like the Flames have had 30 picks in the top 4 rounds in the last 3 years. By giving a guy like Hunt a contract, it means a guy like Eric Roy didn't get one. Are the Flames going to sign every player they've drafted in the last 4 years to a pro contract? I highly doubt it. So you do need to go outside the draft to fill up your system depth. Chances are Hunt is a long shot, but I doubt the Flames are passing on signing Austin Matthews this summer because they gave Hunt a contract and don't have anymore to give. I think this player exhibits a lot of the traits that I'd be willing to risk the 50th contract in my organization on.

I mean contracts are like prospects or rich uncles who have you as the sole heir to their will but outlive you by 5 years. It feels like it's cool to brag about only having 46 contracts on the team because one day we're going to magically discover the Stastny brothers all over again and will want to have 4 spare contracts so the Flames can sign them. If you have 50 contracts...use them, and structure it so that you have year to year flexibility.

[868904]

Free asset so Flames should definitely be in on it, but they should also look at the playmaker who keeps finding him open in the slot. How does the hottest scorer in the league find himself open in the slot that often? Some of these junior teams must not have any coaching at all.

[Vulcan]

He's an over ager in terms of the CHL but he's got a late birthday (Nov. 24th) so he's only been draft eligible for two years. Combine this with his injury problems wiping out a year and a half of development, he could still be a legitimate prospect. In comparison our own Culkin went back for his over age year as he also has a late birth date.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Sounds like exactly the kind of hard working kid I hope gets a chance. Preferably here.

Now if we could only Tuvix him with Colborne.

wonder how many people get this reference

[Badgers Nose]

On TSN right now. Great kid. Likes Calgary watched them growing up.

Seems super smart. Well spoken.

[sureLoss]

Hunt on TSN said Calgary was a team he watched a lot growing up.

Also said Calgary is close to home.

Maybe a decision next week but not firm on that.

[Badgers Nose]

Five hat tricks in his last eight games.

Say whatever you want about his age, but that's pretty cool.

[Trailer Fire]

Someone want to clarify his hometown? I've seen several reports stating Cranbrook, and others saying Nelson. My dad, who loves all things Junior about hockey, claims Nelson, stating that he used to work with his dad.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

Someone want to clarify his hometown? I've seen several reports stating Cranbrook, and others saying Nelson. My dad, who loves all things Junior about hockey, claims Nelson, stating that he used to work with his dad.

I have no idea, even eliteprospects and hockeydb have conflicting birthplaces.