Entering his third pro season, the 2020 first-round pick is excited the club has positions available to claim
It’s no secret the Calgary Flames have open roster spots up for grabs during training camp.
While the bulk of the team’s opening day roster appears set, places are available for rookies to earn.
As the Flames prepare for their first pre-season clash Sunday at home to the Vancouver Canucks, Connor Zary is doing all he can to avoid playing the depth chart game to find where he can step into.
“That’s a tough game to play,” said Zary, the 2020 first-round draft choice (24th overall), who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Monday. “I think everybody comes into camp trying to prove themselves. I played a lot of center and a lot of left wing last year, so I’m comfortable in both spots. No matter where I’m playing, up and down the lineup in whatever position, I feel really comfortable and I think that’s a valuable asset to have in the toolbox.”
Zary, who last season netted 21 goals and 58 points in 72 games plus another four points in nine playoff outings with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, is among those with a chance to be in the mix.
That’s not the only positive situation for the Saskatoon product as he enters his third professional season.
Zary, like many others in the system, was thrilled to hear the change in management and the coaching staff resulted in a plan to integrate more young players into the system.
General manager Craig Conroy and the rest of the management group has delivered all they can so far in that regard by not signing veterans specifically for depth positions or even adding them on tryout deals for camp.
It’s up to young players such as Zary, Jakob Pelletier, Matt Coronato and the likes to claim a roster spot, but at least they can see the openings are available.
“It’s huge,” Zary said. “I don’t know if that opportunity was totally there before, so hearing that from the guy up top, the general manager, and the coaching staff is great. In today’s league, you need young guys to bring energy and filter through your program to make a winning team. I think it’s awesome to hear that.”
Zary, who finished second in regular-season scoring for the Wranglers last season, believes he is at a point to legitimately challenge for a NHL gig, having improved his skating over the past couple of years while developing his all-around game.
“I want to get to the next level,” he said. “Last year was a great year and I took that into summer to build off. Coming into this year, I have my eyes and my game set to reach the next level and try to make an impression in camp and try to take a spot here.”
ICE CHIPS: D Jeremie Poirier, who had off-season knee surgery, shed his non-contact sweater on Saturday and skated among the veteran players. Poirier, who was named to the AHL’s all-rookie team last season and missed the Young Stars tournament while recovering, had skated with the third group, which is mainly filled with junior-aged prospects, the first two days … For the third straight season, Dillon Dube finished first in fitness testing, while Mikael Backlund placed second ... The Flames not only play Sunday night, but will also have a split-squad pair of games Monday against the Seattle Kraken.
