This contract seems good for both sides. It will expire with Zary under team control, and I like the Flames aren’t being cheap with Zary. Zary shouldn’t have ill will after this.
Happy this deal got done before training camp. Seems like a fair deal for both sides. Flames get low AAV and a reasonable qualifying offer and they don’t walk him to free agency. Zary gets a show me contract that gives him the chance to pull a Tkachuk if he’s not happy near the end of the deal (hopefully that doesn’t happen).
Now please play him at centre with skilled wingers and give him opportunities on the powerplay and overtime. Let’s see what he can be.
Ugh, even if the chances are low that he'll do that (force his way out), I would still have preferred a shorter term.
I guess in my mind I wanted a 1 year show-me contract and if things went well it could trigger an 8 year extension and lock him up for 9 years in total.
Which, I suppose is not that different from this 3 year contract and then the Flames can offer him a 7 year deal for 10 years in total.
Anyway, glad this is done and am looking forward to seeing what Zary does this year.
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I watched a lot of Zary live as a Blazer, and I loved his style in the way he fearlessly drove the net and owned the center of the ice. I didn't think he would be able to translate it to the pros, but now that he's here, man I hope I was wrong. He was an electric player to watch!
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