Connor Zary No Longer Part of Flames’ Long-Term Plans – Hockey Writers – Calgary Flames
In many ways, it feels like just yesterday that Calgary Flames fans were doing their best to get attention from Connor Zary when it came to Calder Trophy honors.
The reason it sounds recent is because, well, it was. Zary’s rookie campaign, in which he logged 63 games, came back in 2023-24, just two seasons ago. He finished eighth in the Calder Trophy with 14 goals and 34 points. This impressive performance made many Flames fans think they had a rising star on their hands.
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Fast forward two years, and Zary’s progress has not only stalled, but regressed. He still managed just 12 goals and 25 points this season, the worst points per game of his career. It doesn’t seem to be some kind of weird, either, as he wasn’t very good in 2024-25 with 13 goals and 27 points in 54 outings. Although there have been frustrations with his usage at times this season, having 25 points with just one game left in the season is not happening for Zary.
The Flames May Be Best Moving On
The NHL is a very tough business, and Zary’s situation proves just that. This is a player who just two years ago was considered one of the building blocks of this organization. Now, many are wondering if he fits into their long-term plans.
It’s easy to see why there has been so much excitement surrounding Zary over the past few years. Not only did he have a strong rookie season, but he was also a first-round pick, leading many to think there was a lot of untapped potential in his game. Perhaps two knee injuries in 2024-25 halted that progress, but so far we’ve seen none of that in his game.
Another thing that is very clear to Zary is that he does not seem to be in charge of the top six. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it shows how far his stock has fallen in just a few years. Now there are several forward prospects the Flames have that look like they could be more offensive at the NHL level than Zary.
That will make Zary open up if the team asks about him. You can understand why they would, as he is locked up for two more seasons at a fair value of $3.775 million. Furthermore, he probably wouldn’t cost much given his struggles over the past two seasons.
It was then that the argument for the Flame to stick to him would arise. They have invested a fortune, as well as a lot of time and energy to get Zary to where he is in his career. Is all that work worth the time if they’re going to move him for a small return?
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Another thing to consider is that Zary is only 24 years old. There is still room for growth and improvement in his game. If the Flames were to move him and another team were to unlock his potential, it would reflect poorly on the entire organization. That is why managers must carefully analyze the situation before taking a decision either way.
Zary’s Watch Is Recording
Zary may find himself back in a Flames jersey in 2026-27, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be in Calgary for long. In order for that to happen, he’ll need to find a way to be more consistent on both ends of the ice, and prove that he’s a player worth keeping on their roster that in years to come will be contending for Stanley Cups. Over the past two seasons, he hasn’t come close to doing that.
