Can anyone explain to someone dumb like me how the Flames got 4 seasons out of Zary's ELC? He played 53 games in Stockton in 21-22, than 72 with the Wrangers in 22-23, than 69 between the Flames and Wrangers in 23-24 and 54 with the Flames last year. Yet if you look on Puckpedia the only contract he's ever had is the ELC, and they have it as having slid in 20-21 as he played 9 games with the Stockton that season which makes sense. But it also slid the following season. My guess is because Zary was still 19 on September 15th of that year and didn't play in the NHL that might have something to do with it.
I can't quite figure out how a player who should have 4 accrued pro seasons after Junior still has 4 more years to UFA (2029) instead of 3 and has only had his one ELC so far.
https://www.puckpedia.com/player/connor-zary
The fact that he's played games in parts of 5 seasons make me wonder if people overlook his age a bit and think he needs to earn a longer term deal. I'm not adverse to going a bit longer term with him. I'm not sure exactly who else the Flames will be burning their cap space on over the next 5 years given where they are. Zary would still seem the second best NHL forward the team has under the age of 27.