Florida Panthers: Evaluating overlooked prospect Dryden Hunt

Several spots on the bottom six forward group will certainly become available around training camp for the Florida Panthers; meaning promising minor league sniper Dryden Hunt will finally be granted the opportunity to fight for a job.

Once a highly coveted, perennial superstar in the CHL, Dryden Hunt has since encountered a slight regression faze upon entering the AHL. While participating in 70 games for the Springfield Thunderbirds this prior season, Dryden accumulated an unimpressive line of 13G and 18A for only 31 points. These aforementioned numbers registered by the talented, smooth-skating Canadian winger are simply inexcusable, considering Springfield enabled him to play top six minutes on a nightly basis (inconsistency was a significant issue).

Hunt undoubtedly failed to live up to expectations in the AHL, especially following his remarkable 116 points campaign in the WHL during 2015-16. Although experiencing an incredibly difficult first season in the minors, Dryden Hunt will only improve with more experience down the road. He’s collected numerous accolades following his special season 2 years ago; thus proving that Dryden was successful in the past and can potentially be successful in the foreseeable future.

Hunt possesses an incredibly lethal wrist shot according to several professional scouts; therefore, Dryden should essentially be unafraid and willing to release the trigger whenever a golden opportunity presents itself. Hunt has the tremendous ability to generate high quality scoring chances for himself and create glorious opportunities for his teammates.

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The Panthers obtained Hunt by signing him to an inexpensive contract during their magnificent playoff run throughout 2015-16. Extremely high hopes from the Cats’ organization remain for Dryden to experience a breakout season, whether in the minors or in the big leagues. Training camp and preseason games are truthfully enormous opportunities for Dryden to make a sizeable impression en route to securing a roster spot come opening day. However, competition from other offensively gifted wingers will definitely be a factor which could possibly impede Hunt from immediately slotting into the bottom six forward group.

Hunt will certainly be arriving with a hard-working mentality and positive mindset; as he’s notably hoping to have a legitimate shot of cracking the Florida Panthers starting lineup.