Report: Calgary Flames and Connor Zary remain split in contract negotiations

Anthony Di Marco reported that Zary and the Flames have met over the past several days. He also stated that the reason things are moving slowly is due to a separation in AAV. The Flames are looking for an AAV in the low threes, whereas Zary is understandably looking for more.

Zary’s NHL career

The Saskatoon product got his chance with the Flames in the 2023–24 season, playing 63 games and impressing. On a very lacklustre offensive team, he registered 34 points—14 goals and 20 assists. His emergence was a bright spot for Flames fans as something to look forward to in the future. As his second season approached, expectations were higher on Zary.

Zary played in fewer games due to two different lower-body injuries that kept him out of the lineup for some time. Recording 0.5 points-per-game, he still showed some promise. In January, he was knocked on the knee by Anaheim Ducks defencemen Drew Helleson. He went down in pain immediately. In late March, the injuries continued. That same left knee was hurt in a scary collision involving him and Mikko Rantanen. He grabbed his knee after going down to the ice.

By the end of the 2024–25 season, Zary finished the season with 54 games with 13 goals and 14 assists, with his last game played being March 27 against Dallas.

Zary’s contract comparables

With the injury history from last season, it makes sense for the Flames to not want to give Zary big money. Looking at his production, a comparable contract for Zary would be Shane Pinto—a 24-year-old centre with similar production to Zary. The Ottawa Senators signed Pinto to a two-year bridge deal with an AAV of $3.75M. Jake Neighbours also signed the exact same two-year, $3.75M deal with the St. Louis Blues.

For the Flames and Zary, a bridge deal makes the most sense for both sides involved.