RD Zayne Parekh - Saginaw Spirit, OHL (2024, 9th, CGY)

[Yepthatsme]

So with Parekh likely to either tonight or next weekend claim the highest scoring season in the last 30 years by a defenseman in the OHL, I started looking into what other accomplishments he has left to achieve, and one stood out. Parekh currently sits 20th all time in OHL scoring by defenseman. If he keeps up his point pace to finish the season, he’ll likely be sitting in the 15th spot all time, and 4th amongst players born 1985 or later (players who would’ve played since the salary cap era began).

Now where it gets interesting is he still has a year left of eligibility for the CHL, and while it’s likely he makes the NHL I’d put his chances only at 60-70% of making it. Once again assuming he finishes the season at his current pace, if he goes back to the OHL next year he would need only 84 points to become the all time OHL leading scorer amongst defenseman.

I still think he likely makes the team, but this really puts into perspective his junior dominance.

 

[Boonk]

Very special player that Canada World Juniors totally didnt need. Nope, absolutely not.

 

[JurassicTunga]

Not bad

 

[Yepthatsme]

With his goal tonight, he officially has the highest scoring OHL season by a defenseman in the 2000s. It’s been 30 years since a defenseman was able to do what Parekh did this year.

 

[TheBeard]

With his goal tonight, he officially has the highest scoring OHL season by a defenseman in the 2000s. It’s been 30 years since a defenseman was able to do what Parekh did this year.

Saginaw is a horse this year, much the same way London was last year (and even this)

 

[Kingpin794]

Saginaw is a horse this year, much the same way London was last year (and even this)

No we aren’t. It’s so weird to see this sentiment that Saginaw is a contender this year from so many people. They either don’t watch junior hockey enough or if they do, they are vastly over estimating how far one line can take you in the playoffs.

 

[TheBeard]

No we aren’t. It’s so weird to see this sentiment that Saginaw is a contender this year from so many people. They either don’t watch junior hockey enough or if they do, they are vastly over estimating how far one line can take you in the playoffs.

Offensively they are.

 

[JurassicTunga]

 

[Kingpin794]

The team's defenseman award. Just to be clear. Although he will likely be the front runner to be back to back OHL d man of the year when that is announced.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Finishes the year with a 3 point night to get to 107 points in 61 games. Likely would’ve hit 110 points but whether it was due to nagging injuries or to rest him before the playoffs, he sat out 1 game each of multiple back to backs to end the year.

His post Christmas scoring should go down as an all time run in the CHL. 71 points in 33 games for an insane 2.15 point per game for over half his season as a defenseman. Obviously Parekh was unable to maintain that over a full year (he just finished with a pedestrian 1.73 point per game…), but to put that level of play in perspective that’d be the second best point per game season in OHL history and best since 1989.

 

[JPeeper]

Parekh putting the team on his back and wins it in OT for Saginaw to get the series to 2-1 for Erie. 2 goals and a primary assist for the game. Has 6 points in 3 games for Saginaw +/- of 0, his elite teammates Misa and Igor have 3 and 4 points respectively and are -7 and -8 respectively. So much for being carried.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Might want to cover that guy next time

 

[Wallet Inspector]

Sens' amateur scouts are the dumbest f***ing people in hockey.

 

[FLAMESFAN]

LOL, what was Spence doing on that goal?

 

[Dack]

LOL, what was Spence doing on that goal?

Both coaches ran their top guys into the ground in OT and everyone was gassed. It went from a really well played and defensive leaning game to a beer league game really quick.

Dominant performance from Parekh though all of Saginaw's offense came through him.

 

[Sting]

Sens' amateur scouts are the dumbest f***ing people in hockey.

Not sure I understand. Junior results are not always a great indicator of success at the NHL level. There is a massive difference in competition and some playstyles just don't translate.

If you're referring to the Sens selecting Yakemchuk, these guys are 19. Yak looked like the best player on the ice at times in Sens pre-season games. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions.

Except Tyler Boucher. Everyone knew that was a fail the instant his name was announced haha.

 

[Yepthatsme]

Both coaches ran their top guys into the ground in OT and everyone was gassed. It went from a really well played and defensive leaning game to a beer league game really quick.

Dominant performance from Parekh though all of Saginaw's offense came through him.

Parekh is really separating himself out of Saginaws big 3 to start the playoffs, or atleast making it much more apparent than it already was. Somehow has managed to only stand on the ice for 3 5v5 goals against so far these playoffs as well which is impressive on its own with the score of these games and the minutes he plays.

 

[JurassicTunga]

Kid is nuts. Beauty set up.

 

[Felidae]

Might want to cover that guy next time

Who does this kid think he is celebrating staring down at fans like that? Classless.

No wonder he was left off the junior team, he simply doesn't have the upstanding personality befitting of a team Canada representative.

 

[JurassicTunga]

 

[Kingpin794]

I’m sure flames “fans” will have very sane and not vile things to say if they throw him into the lineup during a playoff chase and he isn’t Nick Lidstrom from shift one.

 

[HarrySPlinkett]

I’m sure flames “fans” will have very sane and not vile things to say if they throw him into the lineup during a playoff chase and he isn’t Nick Lidstrom from shift one.

Doubtful - we’re the C of Red, not the C you next Tuesday’s

 

[Bounces R Way]

I’m sure flames “fans” will have very sane and not vile things to say if they throw him into the lineup during a playoff chase and he isn’t Nick Lidstrom from shift one.

We've been watching the likes of Miromanov, Bean, Barrie, and Pachal stumble around the place all season. Joel Hanley a 31 year old career 7th D is playing over 18 minutes a night for us.

If he can put a outlet pass on the tape to a fwd with pace and do more than dump it back in the corner in the OZ he is going to look like Nick Lidstrom lol

 

[HitterD]

We've been watching the likes of Miromanov, Bean, Barrie, and Pachal stumble around the place all season. Joel Hanley a 31 year old career 7th D is playing over 18 minutes a night for us.

If he can put a outlet pass on the tape to a fwd with pace and do more than dump it back in the corner in the OZ he is going to look like Nick Lidstrom lol

Yeah honestly I don't think many Flames fans will complain about the odd mistake, and I'd settle for what he can potentially provide on the powerplay and sheltered minutes otherwise he will be fine. A more potent powerplay would have put the flames over the top in a few recent losses as well. He's likely to be a net positive compared to what the Flames are running out there outside of the top 3.

Additionally, Andersson looks completely injured and out of gas and could use a reduction in minutes or a night off.

 

[DJJones]

If he makes one or two nice transition plays people wouldn't care if he scored on himself