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Connor Zary, Calgary Flames (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

Flames News & Rumours: Zary, Wolf, Farabee & More

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Rupert McDonald | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 1:15 PM ET

In this edition of Calgary Flames News & Rumours, Connor Zary could be facing a suspension after a questionable hit on Vancouver Canucks’ defenceman Elias Pettersson. In other news, Dustin Wolf was able to pick up his third shutout of the season on Saturday versus the Montreal Canadiens, but still sits third on most Calder Trophy projection lists. Meanwhile, recently acquired Joel Farabee took a bit of a playful shot at John Tortorella over the weekend.

Once again, Adam Klapka has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers. Last but not least, the Flames announced last week that they have signed goaltender Connor Murphy to a two-way contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

Zary Looking at a Suspension

The Flames could be without Connor Zary tomorrow night versus the Colorado Avalanche and perhaps even longer. The 23-year-old went after Pettersson following a huge shot delivered to Nazem Kadri. While you love to see the young forward stick up for his teammate, he didn’t go about it in the best of ways. This morning, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety confirmed he will have a hearing for the incident.

Zary is likely going to miss some time here, which is a big blow to the Flames. He is still looking to get his feet back under him and become an impactful player after missing a huge stretch due to a knee injury suffered in January. Through 49 games this season, Zary has 12 goals and 24 points.

Wolf Being Snubbed on Calder Lists

Just when you think there is nothing more Wolf can do in what has been an incredible rookie season, he seems to find another way to make it even better. The 23-year-old continued his dominance on Saturday evening, kicking aside all 26 shots he faced in a 1-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Wolf has been one of the best goalies in the NHL this season, though it still doesn’t seem to be getting him a lot of Calder Trophy love. While he is projected to finish as a finalist, most lists have him ranked in at slot number three behind San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson.

While Celebrini and Hutson are both having terrific seasons, Wolf is the sole reason the Flames are in a battle for a playoff spot. Without his outstanding play, there is a good chance the Flames would be in the hunt to select first overall at the upcoming draft instead of in the wild-card race. Let’s hope those who vote begin to realize this before the 2024-25 campaign concludes.

Farabee Calls Out Tortorella

After a slow start to his Flames tenure, Joel Farabee is starting to come alive. The 25-year-old showed how good he can be on Thursday against the Dallas Stars, scoring a goal that will be considered one of the best of the 2024-25 season. He then followed that up with another tally on Saturday against the Canadiens.

Joel Farabee, Calgary Flames (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Perhaps even better than his offence coming through is his all-around play, something that was good enough for Flames head coach Ryan Huska to trust him to defend a 1-0 lead with just a minute left in Saturday’s contest. Being trusted in those situations is new territory for Farabee, who, despite doing it early in his career, saw that role taken away from him under Tortorella in Philadelphia.

“It’s a real treat, honestly. I started my career in Philly as a guy that would go out there in the last minute, and then when Torts came in that was no longer,” Farabee said. “It’s really nice to be trusted to be out there.”

Klapka Back Up with the Flames

The up-and-down season is continuing for Adam Klapka, who was recalled from the Wranglers on Wednesday morning. The undrafted 24-year-old has been lights out in the American Hockey League (AHL) this season with 14 goals and 26 points through 33 games. That offensive ability, paired with his 6-foot-8 frame, suggests he should be a weapon at the NHL level, but he has yet to be.

Klapka has suited up for 13 games with the Flames this season, registering just one goal. The goal was highlight-reel worthy, as he used his size to cut in alone against the Anaheim Ducks and made no mistake. Those plays have been far and few between during his 19-career NHL games, however. He’ll need to show that ability on a much more consistent basis if he hopes to stick around for the remainder of the season.

Flames Sign Murphy

On trade deadline day, the Flames raised some eyebrows when they announced that they had signed goaltender Connor Murphy to a one-year, two-way deal for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. The 26-year-old has spent the vast majority of this season in the ECHL, posting a 3.13 goals against average (GAA) along with a .909 save percentage (SV%).

This signing had some thinking that a Dan Vladar trade was on the horizon, but no such deal took place. Instead, it appears to simply be a vote of confidence from the Flames that they believe Murphy, at the very least, can be a regular goaltender at the AHL level moving forward. Though his current deal will conclude at the end of the season, he will remain under the Flames’ control as a restricted free agent.

Looking Ahead for the Flames

The Flames have just one game remaining this week, which will come on Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome against one of the Western Conference’s best in the Colorado Avalanche. It’s a huge game as the Flames look to put some distance between themselves and the Vancouver Canucks for the final wild-card position in the Western Conference.