I think Parekh will make a push for camp. I can see one of these 4 scenarios:
1) He doesn't make the team and returns to the OHL.
2) Looked inconsistent throughout camp and preseason - Flames give him 9 games and then re-evaluate.
3) Makes the team, but ramps ups slowly - plays every 2nd or 3rd game, or the Flames dress 7 defencemen to shelter him.
4) Just makes the team and becomes an everyday NHL'er.
Two further legitimate, but probably less likely options:
1) NCAA: Isn't the NCAA opening up to CHL players? Wouldn't a year of NCAA be an option for him next season? If so, then he could potentially declare and head to the NCAA for a year. He would have to give up trying to make the team this year as the NCAA starts earlier, however. On the flip-side, he could play the NCAA for the first half of the year, play in the world juniors, and then come to the Flames in the 2nd half of the season. Not quite the path that most prospects take, but it is an option that I believe he would be eligible to take.
2) Europe: Comes to camp, but doesn't make the team. Maybe he would be better off going to play in a pro league in Europe for a year rather than OHL again. I am sure he can find a spot, even after the season over there starts. That's another avenue that would probably be better for his development than the OHL, at least arguably so. The one issue I have with that is how much more time and space they have on the big ice versus NHL size.
I think he makes the Flames as the 6th/7th next season anyway, with #1 PP time soon after. He does have options, however.
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