Player Discussion Connor Zary, C, (2020 24th Overall)

[LastWordArmy]

A late 2001 birthday, if Connor Zary was born a week earlier he would have been eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft. He was drafted by the Kamloops Blazers in the second round, 37th overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. After breaking out in 2018-19 with 24 goals and 43 assists for 67 points in 64 games, as well as four points in four playoff games, Zary has been even better this year. He put up 38 goals and 48 assists for 86 points in just 57 games for Kamloops. He even scored the coveted Teddy Bear Toss goal for Kamloops in December. Zary also played in the CHL Top Prospects game, recording three assists.

Zary has also shown his skills on the international stage. Last spring, he put up four goals and three assists for seven points in seven games for Team Canada at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. The Saskatoon-native also played for Team WHL in the Canada-Russia Super Series, picking up one assist in two games. Zary represented Team Saskatchewan at the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup in 2016-17, picking up one goal and one assist for two points in the five-game tournament.

Connor Zary Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #18 - Last Word on Hockey

 

[JurassicTunga]

Extra thirds and still get Zary. Great job Treliving.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

sounds like a Monahan type. I guess at 24 that'd be a win.

 

[Scheifele55]

Winnipeg Jets fan here, great moves by Treliving acquiring 2 3rd round picks to get Zary who probably was his man the entire time. Very shrewd!

 

[Flames Fanatic]

2020 Flames First Round Targets: Connor Zary

I would have been okay with him at 19, so picking up two thirds is shrewd.

 

[DFF]

sounds like a Monahan type. I guess at 24 that'd be a win.

a 3rd line winger?

 

[Kipper933]

2020 Flames First Round Targets: Connor Zary

I would have been okay with him at 19, so picking up two thirds is shrewd.

Yeah, I'm firmly on board with the Zary pick, at the top of my board for me. High floor, interesting ceiling. Not sure if he projects as a C, but should become a leader that contributes all over the ice.

 

[Dack]

sounds like a Monahan type. I guess at 24 that'd be a win.

I've seen Bo Horvat as a comparison multiple times.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

I've seen Bo Horvat as a comparison multiple times.

That would be nice! Horvat's skating took huge strides in his draft+1 though, not sure Calgary has a skating coach who's ever gotten those massive results.

 

[MakeCgyGreatAgain]

I've seen Bo Horvat as a comparison multiple times.

I like that.

 

[Juniorhockeyguru]

He is a clutch player. Scored some huge goals for the Blazers as a 17 year old.

 

[JPeeper]

sounds like a Monahan type. I guess at 24 that'd be a win.

Sportsnet had is comparable as Bo Horvat.

If Zary can become as good as Horvat was in the 2020 playoffs we have a stud because Horvat was a monster this playoffs.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Smart player, high compete, good hands. Definitely a Brad Treliving pick.

Got a ways to go but really glad the Flames finally picked up a decent C prospect.

 

[TheHudlinator]

Not going to lie I'm really disappointed we didn't get LaPierre but I'm excited for Zary I think he will be able to play any where in the top 9

 

[Mobiandi]

Has Treliving proclaimed that he'll be best player in the draft by 2030 yet?

 

[Khrox]

Has Treliving proclaimed that he'll be best player in the draft by 2030 yet?

Brad seems smart enough to know the truth. He'll be the best player in the draft by 2025

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Connor Zary | Connor Zary Profile | Connor Zary Scouting Report 2020

I like many of the nice things scouts say about him.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Seems to fit our draft profile. Skating issues. Competitive. Productive. LHS.

 

[Body Checker]

Obviously we need a top center in our prospect pool. Solid pick.

 

[Fig]

Prospect of Interest: Standout Connor Zary a well-rounded centre - Sportsnet.ca

Horvat mentioned, also compared to Brassard.

 

[Anglesmith]

I like it. When you get a guy that they were suggesting as the BPA even before pick 19, plus two extra thirds, that's just good GMing. Good job, Brad.

 

[GAMO1992]

Not gonna lie, SUPER, SUPER disappointed we took him over Lapierre. He'll have a helluva lot to prove to me. I don't want another Backlund, swing for the fences, not for a single

 

[InfinityIggy]

Reasonable pick at 24, pretty great value to pick up a pair of 3rds to move back 5 spots. I would’ve preferred Lapierre to moving back twice though.

Sounds like if he turns out he could be a Backlund-level replacement at C. Time will tell if playing if ‘safe’ was the right call.

 

[DCDM]

I admit, I was frustrated when we traded back... twice... but to end up with Zary anyways AND pick up a pair of extra picks along the way is just shrewd GMing. Can’t fault Treliving for that if this was his guy all along. Looks like Calgary was Zary’s team too, he looked elated that we drafted him haha.

As I said in the other thread, I would have been happy with Zary, Lapierre, Bourke or Perreault. We got Zary. So I’m pleased.

 

[Khrox]

Seeing a lot of comparisons to Horvat, that's a pretty good thing for the most part (especially the reliable in all 3 zones, and good presence in front of the net). And again, he was expected to go around the 15-20 area, so he slipped a bit. If you were wary of Lapierre because of the injury issues, Zary was probably the guy you wanted instead. Extra picks, and still getting this guy, we take those.