[sureLoss]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...-playoff-hunt/

Faced with the very real possibility Connor Zary will miss significant time with a knee injury suffered Tuesday, the need has only been heightened.

So, pray tell, does he feel like he is, or has been, close to landing the middleman he’s searching for?

“Not really,” said the Calgary Flames general manager in a wide-ranging one-on-one in California for a mid-season sum-up.

“Because of the age we’re looking for (he wants a 23 to 25-year-old), and where we’re at, it’s tough.

“Everyone feels like they're in the fight here, and that complicates the process. Every staff is asking, ‘are we adding or are we selling? What's the best path moving forward?’”

So, sitting just one point back of a wild-card berth, where do the Flames sit in terms of being buyers or sellers at the deadline?

“We're definitely looking,” said Conroy, trying to thread the needle between chasing a playoff spot while rebuilding.

“You're always looking to add and make your team better, but not for one year, not for four or six months.

"It has got to be a deal that makes sense moving forward and helps the organization.

“We’re just a point out of the playoffs, so I guess when we get closer to the deadline (March 7) we'll see.”