Calgary Flames Put Former First-Rounder Connor Zary on the Trade Block for Draft Pick

Just 24 hours after sending shockwaves through the league with a blockbuster acquisition, the Calgary Flames are attempting to clear out more room in their forward ranks. Front-office insider Darren Dreger broke the news Wednesday afternoon that Calgary is actively trying to move former 2020 first-round selection Connor Zary. According to league reports, General Manager Craig Conroy has established an explicit asking price of a single second-round selection in return for the young utility forward.

What We Know So Far

The sudden push to trade Zary arrives at a frantic time for Calgary management, hot on the heels of their high-profile acquisition of defenseman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils. Conroy is working rapidly to reshape the roster ahead of Friday's 2026 NHL Draft. By listing Zary, the Flames are dangling a 24-year-old skater who still possesses considerable upside but has struggled to find a definitive role within their systematic rebuild.

Drafted 24th overall by Calgary in 2020, Zary burst onto the scene with a highly promising rookie season in 2023-24, logging 14 goals and 34 points in 63 contests. However, his performance has incrementally plateaued over the subsequent two campaigns. His goal metrics dropped slightly to 13 and then to 12 goals last season, finishing the latest 74-game run with a career-low 25 points. Concurrently, his on-ice utility shifted; after wrapping up his rookie year as a plus-12 player, he registered consecutive negative ratings of minus-7 and minus-4.

Compounding his structural placement issues, Zary suffered a severe knee injury during a collision with Drew Helleson on January 7, 2025, during a matchup against Anaheim. Though the injury avoided surgical intervention, it sidelined him until late February. Shortly after finding his footing again, a second scary knee injury occurred on March 27, 2025, against Dallas when he became entangled with Mikko Rantanen. These successive physical setbacks visibly disrupted his developmental momentum, sparking a slow opening stretch to his 2025-26 run where he managed a mere four points across his first 25 outings.

Reactions & Responses

The trade block declaration has split professional analysts and local supporters, though many in the fan base have voiced online support for giving the young forward a fresh start elsewhere. Insiders point out that while Zary remains a highly versatile asset capable of sliding between the wing and the pivot position, his faceoff metrics have lagged, pulling in a success rate of just 41.5% on 516 career draws. This specialized limitation has made it difficult for coaching staff to securely lock him into a permanent center position.

Financially, Zary carries an affordable financial profile for teams seeking middle-six solutions. He signed a contract extension carrying a $3.775 million cap hit ($3.8 million rounded), which keeps him under team control through the 2027-28 season. At the expiration of this deal, he will remain a restricted free agent (RFA) with salary arbitration rights, meaning an acquiring club secures multiple years of developmental control.

On the Ground

For Canadian hockey enthusiasts and specifically fans in Alberta, this move indicates that the Flames organization is fully committed to a structural asset turnover. Conroy already holds an extensive collection of capital heading into the draft weekend, including picks No. 6, 30, 36, 51, and 55. Extracting an additional second-round selection would grant Calgary even greater leverage to move up the board or select another premium prospect to bolster their long-term system pipeline.

Coming Up

The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft officially opens this Friday. While a transaction could materialize in the hours leading up to the draft podium presentations, hockey insiders note that Zary's market could easily extend across the summer as teams re-evaluate their rosters post-draft. Speculation has already linked potential suitors like the New York Rangers, who are exploring young top-six forward alternatives to aid their current retooling strategy.

At a Glance

• The Calgary Flames are actively shopping forward Connor Zary, asking for a second-round draft selection.
• Zary has logged 39 goals and 86 points across 191 career regular-season NHL appearances.
• The 24-year-old carries a $3.775 million cap hit on a contract running through the 2027-28 campaign.
• Repeated knee injuries in 2025 significantly slowed his offensive development and restricted his ice time to 14:22 per game last season.
• Calgary currently holds five draft selections within the first two rounds of the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Connor Zary's contract status?
Zary has two seasons remaining on his current contract with a cap hit of $3.775 million per year. He will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights after the 2027-28 season.

Why are the Flames trading Connor Zary now?
General Manager Craig Conroy is looking to secure draft capital or different roster assets before the 2026 NHL Draft, following a season where Zary's offensive production dipped to a career-low 25 points.

What position does Connor Zary play?
Zary is a versatile left-shot forward who can play both left wing and center, though his 41.5% career faceoff percentage has made it difficult to stabilize him down the middle at the NHL level.