C Connor Zary - Kamloops Blazers, WHL (2020, 24th, CGY)

[Shroud of Orrin]

Consistently ticking along at over a point per game with solid performances. Do the Flames see him as Backlund’s replacement or bait to bring in more scoring at the deadline?

 

[wetcoast]

Consistently ticking along at over a point per game with solid performances. Do the Flames see him as Backlund’s replacement or bait to bring in more scoring at the deadline?

We will trade you Horvat for Zary and a 1st?

That being said he could be the Backlund replacement but that's not until 24-25 and Horvat won't work without salary coming back, maybe Backland back to Van as he would be redundant with Horvat there?

All that being said Calgary seems to be finding their legs and probably won't be involved in any big deals this year.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Consistently ticking along at over a point per game with solid performances. Do the Flames see him as Backlund’s replacement or bait to bring in more scoring at the deadline?

This is just one Flames fan opinion, but I can see Calgary keeping all of their big 3 forward prospects as we are facing a cap crunch after next season. All of Pelletier (28 in 26 in AHL), Zary (28 in 26 in AHL), and Coronato (15 in 11 in NCAA) are showing extremely well in their respective leagues and are all probably deserving of an NHL shot this season or next, which would create a log jam in most situations. However, Calgary has all of Lindholm, Backlund, Toffoli, and Dube in need of new contracts as well as a good amount of our defense after the 2023-24 season. Having good to great prospects at LW, C and RW can really alleviate whichever players from the group are sacrificed for any raises the others need, and gives us flexibility to replace any forward position. Draft picks and lesser prospects are most likely going to be our currency for the foreseeable future.

 

[DatDude44]

This is just one Flames fan opinion, but I can see Calgary keeping all of their big 3 forward prospects as we are facing a cap crunch after next season. All of Pelletier (28 in 26 in AHL), Zary (28 in 26 in AHL), and Coronato (15 in 11 in NCAA) are showing extremely well in their respective leagues and are all probably deserving of an NHL shot this season or next, which would create a log jam in most situations. However, Calgary has all of Lindholm, Backlund, Toffoli, and Dube in need of new contracts as well as a good amount of our defense after the 2023-24 season. Having good to great prospects at LW, C and RW can really alleviate whichever players from the group are sacrificed for any raises the others need, and gives us flexibility to replace any forward position. Draft picks and lesser prospects are most likely going to be our currency for the foreseeable future.

Pelletier-Zary-Coronato would be a pretty dope 2nd line some day.

 

[Lavar Ball]

 

[Some Other Flame]

Shame Calgary is so awful at graduating prospects

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Shame Calgary is so awful at graduating prospects

He should get his chance this year. I think sending him back made sense to get first line minutes

 

[HighLifeMan]

Connor Zary has been called up and will presumably be making his NHL debut on Wednesday

 

[Some Other Flame]

 

[JurassicTunga]

he had a great debut game tonight

 

[landy92mack29]

2nd star in his first game and played quite a bit. Almost like he was too good for the AHL...

 

[DuklaNation]

Looks good so far and may be capable of playing C at NHL level. Others need to step aside.

 

[super6646]

Been our best fwd since he's been called up. The fact he can skate with the puck through the neutral zone is miracle level for this team.

 

[super6646]

6 pts in 6 games. Is 5th in flames scoring despite playing 9 less games than everyone else.

 

[deleted user]

He's hungry. He's playing a smart game and isn't intimidated. Very nice so far.

 

[madmike77]

Best forward on the team since his callup and he's rejuvenated Kadri. Pretty sad though that he's been better than Lindholm, Huberdeau, Mangiapane and co.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Look at that when you give a very skilled player a fair chance...

 

[super6646]

I don’t get the alleged skating issues.

I saw that as his biggest strength? He was constantly winning foot races

Just saw this going back into the thread, but his skating seems pretty solid at the NHL level. Maybe the Flames are so slow he just stands out in comparison, but this definitely isn't a weakness anymore.

 

[Siludin]

Hadn't even heard of him somehow - totally off my radar because I was so focused on Pelletier making the team.
Reviewed his pedigree and recent AHL/NHL performance. I think Calgary has something here.
Picked him up in fantasy today.

 

[Eegs]

Hadn't even heard of him somehow - totally off my radar because I was so focused on Pelletier making the team.
Reviewed his pedigree and recent AHL/NHL performance. I think Calgary has something here.
Picked him up in fantasy today.

I take it you are not a Flames fan then. He was a first round pick and has progressed very nicely in the AHL following a very nice Junior career. I'm stoked at his success. I saw him as more of a 3rd line, energy guy that could score 15-20 in the NHL. Hope he keeps it up!

 

[Siludin]

I take it you are not a Flames fan then. He was a first round pick and has progressed very nicely in the AHL following a very nice Junior career. I'm stoked at his success. I saw him as more of a 3rd line, energy guy that could score 15-20 in the NHL. Hope he keeps it up!

Yeah I am not a Flames fan but I usually have passing knowledge of most players, but for some reason Zary was not in my memory banks. Guys like Wolf/PelletierCoronato/Honzek/Morin were top of mind when I was thinking about the Calgary prospects, but their AHL depth is pretty solid right now.

 

[JPeeper]

Only 8 games in so clearly it's been enough time to judge him completely*, but he currently leads all rookies points per game (1.0). Of the 8 games he's probably been our best forward in at least 4 or 5, got Kadri to give a damn again which is nice.

Would be really awesome if he could keep it up and be a Calder nominee (unless Bedard goes down I don't see him not getting it). Not expecting a full ppg season, but a 40 point season the rest of the way would be very nice.

He has shown more skill and intelligence on the ice than I was expecting. Think the Flames finally hit a homerun with one of these mid 20 picks where we traded down. Sucks that Pelletier went down as I think he is another beaut, but I don't see the same offense in him as Connor.

*Do I really need to say that this is somewhat sarcastic?

 

[GordieHowYaDoin]

Only 8 games in so clearly it's been enough time to judge him completely*, but he currently leads all rookies points per game (1.0). Of the 8 games he's probably been our best forward in at least 4 or 5, got Kadri to give a damn again which is nice.

Would be really awesome if he could keep it up and be a Calder nominee (unless Bedard goes down I don't see him not getting it). Not expecting a full ppg season, but a 40 point season the rest of the way would be very nice.

He has shown more skill and intelligence on the ice than I was expecting. Think the Flames finally hit a homerun with one of these mid 20 picks where we traded down. Sucks that Pelletier went down as I think he is another beaut, but I don't see the same offense in him as Connor.

*Do I really need to say that this is somewhat sarcastic?

I was definitely pleasantly surprised how well Zary and Kadri clicked right off the bat. Flames have a great prospect in this kid.

 

[Yepthatsme]

About time he gets another bump. 12 points in 16 games, second amongst all rookies in point per game now (min. 5 games played). Impressively he’s done it with only 1 PPP as well. Another impressive stat is he still hasn’t had a 3 game stretch without a point either, his production has been remarkably consistent.

His fancy stats say this is definitely a hot streak, but the eye test shows he’s the real deal. Less games played so far is the only argument against including him amongst the top rookies so far this season.

 

[JurassicTunga]