Newly-acquired Dryden Hunt gives his thoughts on being traded to the Leafs
After acquiring left-winger Dryden Hunt in a trade for former Leaf Denis Malgin, the British Columbian native touched down in Toronto and spoke of his excitement to play for a striving Canadian team.
In his statement, Hunt noted it's similar to the feeling he perceived when being acquired by the Colorado Avalanche, though the difference is found in playing for a Canadian team. As a Canadian player, he notices how special it is to play in front of a committed fanbase who loves the sport.
Joining a new team is nerve-racking, as you must learn the system, your role, and all the designated plays. Hunt seems anxious but appears to be in good spirits, as he is looking forward to playing for a "really good team".
Even though Hunt feels a ton of influence coming into the large market of Toronto, he found comfort in the upbeat music playing today during his first practice, which helped relieve some of the pressure.
He wore a regular jersey in practice, hinting that he would crack the lineup soon. Head coach Sheldon Keefe announced that Hunt will take warmups to familiarise himself with the group but will not play on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, their last game before Christmas break.
Hunt is signed through the remainder of the 2022-23 season with a cap hit of $762,500. His style of play should fit nicely into the fourth-line scheme, where he can bring a ton of physical upside. As of now, fans will have to wait to see Hunt play in a Maple Leafs uniform until after the break. His debut will likely come on December 27th, when the Buds face off against the St. Louis Blues.
