Understandably focus on the league's rookies has been on the Connor in Chicago, but the Flames have found an offensive standout of their own in Connor Zary
If you are surprised with Connor Zary’s offensive impact for the Calgary Flames, you’re not alone.
Asked recently whether he envisioned this much of an effect on the scoresheet from the rookie forward, coach Ryan Huska offered a one-word answer: “No."
Yet, having played 31 games as the Flames reached the midway point of the season, Zary has netted nine goals — which ties him for fourth on the squad — and 21 points.
As for impact, just eye up the team’s last outing. Zary scored Calgary’s first goal in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators and assisted Noah Hanifin’s early third-period tally that tied the game 3-3. It did not show up on the scoresheet, but Zary capped his night by stealing the puck near the offensive blueline to begin the play that led to Blake Coleman’s game-winning goal.
“He’s been a great, great addition to our team,” Coleman said “He plays with a poise that not a lot of guys have at that age and that experience level. He’s willing to make plays and he’s not a high-risk guy — he manages the puck well, he plays a smart game and plays well at both ends of the ice. … He’s made our team significantly better.”
Before the campaign, any thought of a Flames rookie producing at that rate would have involved Matt Coronato or Jakob Pelletier. Instead, it’s the 22-year-old from Saskatoon drafted 24th overall in 2020 making his mark.
“He doesn’t want to leave here,” Huska said. “He wants to make sure he’s staying as an NHL player, not just for the foreseeable future but long-term.”
Now for the numbers.
Zary is only the third Flames rookie in the past 30 seasons to post 20 points in 31 or fewer games. The others are Johnny Gaudreau (26 games in 2014-15) and Jarome Iginla (30 games in 1996-97).
Among the NHL’s rookies, Zary sits fourth in goals, fifth in points and first in plus-minus (plus-13). Don’t forget, he was not summoned from the minors until the end of October.
On a points-per-game basis, only Connor Bedard, the now-injured No.-1 draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, has a better rate than Zary.
All those stats only give part of the equation. Use any form of analytical assessment, and Zary has been lights out.
As for the eye test, Zary has been a play driver, one of the team’s best players for controlling the puck and showing composure with it.
Even his down games so far, have been limited. There was a stretch before and after the calendar flipped in which his play tailed off, but he appears to have limited the usual rookie drop-off.
The short-answer cause for his ability to find the right track has been pushing the pace of his game.
“I think I’ve become old enough and mature enough to know when I don’t have my A-Game,” Zary said. “You’re going to have those games, but just push through.”