Joined: Jul. 2021
Posts: 1,051
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This could work out well for both teams (and players). Same contract status – both pending UFAs – so no loss or gain there, and both are in the minors at NHL salaries, so no significant difference financially. I feel like Toronto didn’t give Hunt much of a chance with their 4th-line RW revolving door situation, but I see that he did play 9 games. He was a starter in New York all last year and a useful player for them until he got bumped from the lineup by their deadline acquisitions, so it’s not a stretch to think he could get back to that level if he can find the right role in Calgary.
I don’t know much about Zahora. His journey through Calgary looks like it was similar to Hunt’s in Toronto, but 10 points in 33 career games and a +14 with what I suspect was limited ice time doesn’t sound too shabby. Obviously he’s huge, but how effectively he uses that size, I don’t know. Cap Friendly lists him as somebody who can play all three forward positions, so that flexibility could come in handy in a depth role.
These guys are both in the minors now after clearing waivers earlier this season. I don’t know if they can be brought back to the NHL to try them for a few games without having to waive them again and risk losing them if they want to send them back down, but it would be nice to see what they could do at the NHL level on their new teams.