Calgary Flames acquire Dryden Hunt from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Radim Zohorna

The Calgary Flames have reportedly made their first move on deadline day. According to The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman, the club has acquired minor league forward Dryden Hunt from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Radim Zohorna.

Hunt, 27, is a left shot forward who went undrafted, but has carved out a decent career as a pro after being the WHL’s leading goal-scorer (and league MVP) in 2015-16. He signed an entry-level deal with the Florida Panthers out of junior, and has bounced around a bit since then, also making stops with Arizona, the NY Rangers and Colorado before landing in Toronto. In fact, the Flames are his fourth NHL organization of this season – he was claimed on waivers by Colorado from New York, then traded to Toronto. He has three points in 37 NHL games this season and nine points in 15 AHL games with the Marlies. He’s probably AHL depth at this point, but he’s been fairly decent in spot NHL duty when called upon. He has a $762,500 NHL-level cap hit and is a pending unrestricted free agent.

Zohorna, 26, is a left shot forward who the Flames acquired off waivers from Pittsburgh late in training camp. He’s big (6’6″) and can play centre or the wing. He was solid but unspectacular in fourth line spot duty during a few recalls this season, playing eight NHL games (zero points) and 40 AHL games (29 points) with the Flames organization this season. He gives the Leafs a bit more NHL-ready forward depth in their organization. He has a $750,000 NHL-level cap hit and is a pending unrestricted free agent.

In short, the swap feels like a “hey, let’s try to get a little bit of something different on our AHL teams, so let’s swap wingers.”

The swap maintains the Flames at 45 active contracts.

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