Where Connor Zary fits in the Flames’ lineup

The Calgary Flames got some much-anticipated business done, as they signed RFA Connor Zary to a three-year deal with an AAV of $3.775 million. The question now remains on how he’ll be utilized this season, and if a breakout performance is in the cards for the 23-year-old.

There’s been lots of talk on whether Zary is a centre or a winger at the NHL level. While he was drafted as a centre, he’s played the majority of his pro hockey career on the wing, where he has flourished. One thing is for certain: Zary is in for a big year, and with all the noise surrounding his contract gone, the Flames can finally focus on how they’ll approach Zary’s further development and utilization

Where does Zary fit in the lineup?

You can debate what position Zary is best suited for, but we can all agree that the Flames haven’t given him a long enough look at the centre position. Besides a couple of games here and there, Zary hasn’t gotten a chance to truly establish himself as a centre at the NHL level yet.

Zary as a centre

Most Flames fans want to see Zary down the middle, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, who is he knocking out of the centre position to get his shot? He certainly isn’t going to take Nazem Kadri’s place. I also don’t see him taking Morgan Frost’s place either, and it’ll also be tough to knock out Mikael Backlund. If the Flames want to place Zary a centre right from the get-go, he’d have to start on the fourth line, which I don’t see happening.

Huberdeau – Frost – Coronato

Pospisil – Kadri – Sharangovich

Farabee – Backlund – Coleman

Lomberg – Zary – Klapka

Unless Backlund heavily regresses this season and becomes the Flames’ new fourth-line centre, then I see that as an opportunity for Zary to slide up centring players like Joel Farabee and Blake Coleman. There’s also the opportunity for him to play down the middle if injury to other players were to occur. Backlund as the team’s fourth-line centre isn’t a terrible idea, as he showed some significant regression last season. The Flames need to prioritize their youth.

Huberdeau – Frost – Coronato

Pospisil – Kadri – Sharangovich

Farabee – Zary – Coleman

Lomberg – Backlund – Klapka

I don’t see this scenario happening right at the beginning of the year though. I think the team will start with Zary on the wing again, which I’ll talk about next.

Placing him on the wing

Putting Zary on the wing seems like the most likely option right now. The long jam down the middle is present, but there is just as much of a log jam on the wing.

The team could start him playing with guys like Backlund and Coleman, but we need to see Zary play with more skill. Here’s another set of rough lines that could be an option:

Huberdeau – Kadri – Zary

Coleman – Backlund – Coronato

Farabee – Frost – Sharangovich

Lomberg – Pospisil – Klapka

In this scenario, Zary is paired with more skill with Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau. He’ll also be higher in the lineup, so the chances are there for him to succeed. Though Zary has mostly played left wing, there’s always the opportunity to experiment early on in the season.

What do fans expect from Zary this season?

I think I speak for many when I say that Flames fans are expecting a big year out of Zary. He got a bridge deal as a way to prove to the team that there’s more to his game. Zary has the skill to be a top-six forward in the NHL. It’s just about staying healthy and maintaining consistency.

50+ points is definitely realistic, assuming Zary stays healthy. Needless to say, it’s time for him to truly establish himself at the NHL level, as he’s going to be a part of the Flames’ future for a long time.