Expectations are high for Flames forward Connor Zary in 2025-26

(Connor Zary’s 82 game point pace the last two seasons)

Meets expectations

The difficulty with this exercise is that we have no idea where Connor Zary is going to play in the Flames lineup and who his line mates are going to be. He is the type of player that could play on the Flames first, second or third line. Will he be in a scoring role? Will he be asked to play more defence on a line with Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman? Will he see time on the top power play unit?

Let’s assume he is going to be an offensive leaning forward playing somewhere in the Flames top nine and on the second power play unit.

A reasonable expectation for Zary in that role would be to exceed his career highs in goals per game, assists per game, and points per game. The Flames and their fan base should be happy if Zary is to produce at a 50 point pace over 82 games.

Zary should be able to accomplish that goal. He is one of the most talented forwards on the Flames. His mix of hands, play making, and puck carrying abilities make him the type of player that should be able to put up 50 points per year.

Zary would have put up more points in the first half of last season had he not been so snake bitten. You could point to Zary as being the Flames most dynamic forward during that stretch. That should give fans confidence that he can reach the 50 point plateau this season.

Below expectations

It’ll be disappointing if Zary is not able to exceed his point production from the first two seasons of his time with the Flames.

He’s entering the prime of his career at 24 years old. This is the time where a lot of players either take a step forward in their development or they stagnate.

The 2025-26 season is going to be an indication what what player Zary is going to be over the next two years of his contract and beyond.

A couple things can get in the way of Zary coming up short on his goals.

First will be his health. He has to stay healthy for the vast majority of the season. He needs to play in at least 75 games.

Second is falling behind in the log jam of forwards. There are a ton of players for Zary to compete with right now. Joel Farabee, Yegor Sharangovich, Adam Klapka, Martin Pospisil, and now Matvei Gridin and Rory Kerins, are all in the mix to get playing time ahead of Zary this season if he isn’t able to take another step forward. Zary is going to have to show the Flames coaching staff that he is at the top of this group or he could be lost in the shuffle.

Exceed expectations

It’s not out of the realm of possibilities for Zary to have a big season and exceed expectations.

Like I mentioned earlier, in terms of pure talent, Zary is near the top of the list among Flames forwards. If he can find a strong connection with a couple linemates, get time on the power play, and do a better job burying his chances, he could break out and have a massive year.

Zary would be exceeding expectations if he could put up 55+ points and become a go to forward for the Flames in all offensive situations. Top six minutes at 5-on-5. First power play unit. Get plenty of shifts in overtime. Those are the things that need to happen in order for Zary to hit 55 points or more.

Zary is an X factor for the Calgary Flames season. They need to score a lot more goals if they want to get into the playoffs. Additional goal scoring is going to have to come internally. Zary is at the top of the list for internal improvement. If he can go from putting up 27 points to 50+. That could be the difference between playing into May or not.

What are your expectations for Connor Zary this season?