Canucks and Flames linked in trade involving former first-round pick, per Elliotte Friedman
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The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly among the teams interested in Connor Zary, but Elliotte Friedman says nothing is imminent with the Flames forward.
The Vancouver Canucks have entered the Connor Zary conversation.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Vancouver is one of a few teams that have looked at the Calgary Flames forward, though he was quick to add that nothing feels imminent right now.
Zary was placed on waivers by Calgary on Oct. 5 after just two games this season.
Nobody claimed him, so he landed with the Calgary Wranglers and scored in his AHL debut.
The 25-year-old was the 24th overall pick in 2020.
Why nobody put in a claim
It comes down to money. Zary has a $3.775 million cap hit that runs through 2027-28, and a team claiming him on waivers would have taken on the whole thing and had to keep him in the NHL.
A trade is a different story, which is why teams are still circling.
The Flames are boxed in
Calgary has one salary retention slot left and doesn't seem keen on using it on Zary.
Friedman said a deal would probably need something creative.
Vancouver has the room under the cap to absorb the contract, so the fit makes sense on paper.
Zary can play center or the wing, and he showed real promise as a rookie with 34 points in 63 games.
Injuries and a fading role under the coaching staff slowed him down since, which is how a former first-round pick ended up back in the minors this early in the season.
For now it's a rumor and nothing more.
If Calgary can't find a partner with cap space, the Wranglers might be his home for a while, and Canucks fans will be watching to see whether management bites.
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