On Monday evening (July 21), Calgary found itself in a tense situation as negotiations with Conor Zary over a new contract remained distant. The Flames have $15.4 million in salary cap space but appear reluctant to move from their initial offer, which has been described as spanning “three generations.”
According to a tweet by Anthony DiMarco (@adimarco25), discussions between Calgary and Zary’s representatives have been ongoing but progress has been slow, with a significant gap still existing in the average annual value (AAV) being discussed. Calgary is aiming for a deal in the low $3 million range, while Zary’s camp is asking for more.
If the Flames and Zary fail to reach an agreement due to these large differences, the Los Angeles Kings could continue their pursuit of the young forward. Should they manage to acquire him at a fair price, Zary could become a solid addition to their middle-six forward group.
At 23, Zary scored 13 goals and tallied 27 points (including 14 assists) in 54 games last season. While a three-year contract seems likely if he stays in Calgary, the Kings might consider offering him a longer-term deal if they bring him over. Zary has shown promising two-way play, suggesting his potential exceeds what he demonstrated with the Flames. A change of scenery might allow him to reach that upside, though it’s uncertain if he will be available.
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Fan Take: This contract standoff highlights the delicate balance teams face in managing cap space and securing promising talent. For hockey fans, Zary’s future could signal a shift in competitive dynamics, especially if a team like the Kings strengthens its roster for a deeper playoff push.
