Signing Connor Zary should be near the top of Flames’ GM Craig Conroy’s to-do list.
The 23-year-old forward is a Restricted Free Agent (RFA), and while his numbers don’t scream ‘super star’ just yet— 13 goals, 14 assists, 27 points in 53 games last season—there’s no mistaking the upside.
Zary showed flashes of top-six potential before two fluke injuries derailed his year: first, a knee-on-knee collision in Anaheim and then an awkward fall after being hauled down against Dallas.
Still, when he’s healthy, Zary drives play and creates dynamic offence. A full season could see him push 25 goals and 50 points. His scoring touch showed in 2022–23 with the AHL’s Wranglers, where he played all 72 games and racked up 21 goals and 58 points.
He also has the potential to slide from wing to centre, which would give the Flames much needed stability down the middle.
Zary can be streaky at times, but his game is still maturing. If he finds another level of consistency, he becomes a key piece in Calgary’s forward group.
The regular NHL season schedule is out, with Marner set to return to Toronto on January 23, 2026.
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Drafted 24th overall in 2020, Zary is coming off a three-year entry-level deal with a modest $863,334 cap hit.
The Flames are in a great spot to sign him at value. The production may not match the ceiling just yet—but it’s coming. Zary isn’t just part of the future—he’s shown he can make an impact now.
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