The Calgary Flames are done waiting on Connor Zary. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the team is actively trying to move the 24-year-old forward and is asking for a second-round pick in return. That’s a pretty clear signal that the front office thinks his ceiling isn’t what they once hoped it would be.
Zary was a first-round pick in 2020, taken 24th overall. He had a nice debut in 2023-24, scoring in his first game against Dallas and putting up 14 goals and 20 assists over 63 games. That looked like a solid start for a young center. But since then? It’s been kind of flat. He played 54 games in 2024-25 with 13 goals and 14 assists. This past season he got into 74 games but managed only 12 goals and 12 assists. Not terrible, but not the kind of progression you want from a guy you picked in the first round.
He’s got two years left on his deal at $3.775 million per season. That’s not an albatross contract by any means, but it’s also not a bargain. For a team like Calgary, which is clearly in some kind of retooling phase, moving Zary for a second-rounder makes sense if they don’t see him taking a bigger role.
The Flames Have a Pile of Draft Picks
Calgary is sitting on a ton of draft capital right now. They have two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, three second-round picks this year, and then two more second-rounders in both 2027 and 2028. So asking for a second-round pick in return for Zary isn’t about hoarding picks for the sake of it. It’s more about resetting the value curve — swapping a player who hasn’t broken out for a lottery ticket who might.
There’s also the cap situation. The Flames have some flexibility, but moving Zary clears his full cap hit off the books. That could matter if they want to make a run at a free agent or take on a contract in a trade this summer.
What Does This Say About the Flames’ Direction?
The team finished second-to-last in the Pacific Division this season. That’s not a one-year blip either. They’ve been in a weird middle ground for a while — not bad enough to fully tear it down, not good enough to actually contend. Moving a former first-round pick for a second-rounder suggests they’re leaning into the rebuild. Or at least a serious retool.
Zary will be a restricted free agent at the end of his deal, so there’s no urgency to move him right now. But the fact that they’re shopping him this early tells you they probably don’t see him as part of the long-term core. Sometimes a change of scenery works for a player like this. A different system, a different coach, different linemates. Maybe that’s what Zary needs.
For now, the Flames are listening. And if someone offers that second-round pick, Zary’s probably packing his bags.
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