[Signing] Flames sign Connor Zary (3 Years, ~$3.775M)

[PepsiFree]

What he actually said was regardless of the position he plays they want him to take a lot of faceoffs because he can play both positions.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

What he actually said was regardless of the position he plays they want him to take a lot of faceoffs because he can play both positions.

Yes, but he was pretty focused on Zary lining up on the wing and being a nice potential option as a secondary centre if he can win more faceoffs. I’m reading into it but if they wanted him primarily as a centre—or at least want to see what they have in him as a centre—the answer to that question is “he can play all forward positions but we want to give him a long look at centre to see how he does there.”

It’s not necessarily a criticism from me, just an observation that it didn’t sound like they see him there first. It also kind of makes sense as although they don’t have that high end first line centre, Frost and Kadri are kind of tapped as 1/2 and Backlund at 3, so he really will need to take the position over one of those guys.

[Bubba17]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Mistake IMO, Zary needs a good look at center

This whole thing about center is so baffling. A large portion of top players play wing. Gaudrea(RIP), Kucherov, Kaprizov, Draisatl (quit calling him a center he plays his best with McDavid), Marner, Tkachuk(s), etc.

Centers are definitely important but moreso on the defensive end. Edmonton has had to of the best so called centers (remember 1 plays wing most of the time) for years but their D and goalies suck so they don't win when it matters. If the centers don't play in the D end they are just more wingers.

[Strange Brew]

It did sound like he thinks of him as a winger first. Of course he also started the interview by saying he needs to earn a spot in camp. I kind of think we are past that point.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Lots of greasy goals around the net for Zary

He doesn't have a shot like Coronato but his ability to get those short side, fast rising goals with almost no room to work with is impressive.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bubba17

This whole thing about center is so baffling. A large portion of top players play wing. Gaudrea(RIP), Kucherov, Kaprizov, Draisatl (quit calling him a center he plays his best with McDavid), Marner, Tkachuk(s), etc.

Centers are definitely important but moreso on the defensive end. Edmonton has had to of the best so called centers (remember 1 plays wing most of the time) for years but their D and goalies suck so they don't win when it matters. If the centers don't play in the D end they are just more wingers.

More top players play centre, and three of those guys have a player who is better on their team (and the better player is a centre).

The only players on that list who won a cup did so with great centres.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Bubba17

This whole thing about center is so baffling. A large portion of top players play wing. Gaudrea(RIP), Kucherov, Kaprizov, Draisatl (quit calling him a center he plays his best with McDavid), Marner, Tkachuk(s), etc.

Centers are definitely important but moreso on the defensive end. Edmonton has had to of the best so called centers (remember 1 plays wing most of the time) for years but their D and goalies suck so they don't win when it matters. If the centers don't play in the D end they are just more wingers.

You're not wrong but except for Draisatl that bunch are career wingers, Zary has played center since he was 12 years old, he's had some success as winger because he gets his shot off quick but he's also very good at taking passes in full stride and finding open ice, I think his game is more suited for the middle.

[calumniate]

Great for the flames. Happy he didn't shuffle off to florida or something similar

[Hot_Flatus]

I'm not super hyped up about this deal. I don't think it's bad per say, but I'm just not overly bullish on the player given his track record staying healthy and ability to finish chances at this level.

There's definitely room to grow as a player though and he could easily end up being a fixture in the top 6 if he continues to improve. If not, I'm not really convinced he's a huge asset in the bottom 6 but time will tell on this one as he becomes more accustomed to regular NHL duty.

[1qqaaz]

I couldn't get less about the AAV when the Flames have as much cap space as they do and the team isn't even competitive.

Long term value and control is what matters. And for someone like Zary, development.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I'm not super hyped up about this deal. I don't think it's bad per say, but I'm just not overly bullish on the player given his track record staying healthy and ability to finish chances at this level.

There's definitely room to grow as a player though and he could easily end up being a fixture in the top 6 if he continues to improve. If not, I'm not really convinced he's a huge asset in the bottom 6 but time will tell on this one as he becomes more accustomed to regular NHL duty.

That's fair, but this deal's term means that the team can move on if your concerns materialize. We should know who this player is by that point in time.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

That's fair, but this deal's term means that the team can move on if your concerns materialize. We should know who this player is by that point in time.

Exactly. This player has a wide range of trajectory that could lead to second line center that can anchor a second PP unit to replacement level winger that struggles to stay in the lineup.

I think he ends up somewhere in the middle, but this deal certainly allows for him to get after it and find his niche without hampering the team at all.

[Jiri Hrdina]

So the big remaining RFAs are Luke Hughes & Mason Mctavish?

[GioforPM]

What does an offer sheet on McTavish look like I wonder.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

What does an offer sheet on McTavish look like I wonder.

McKenna lotto ticket a 2nd and a 3rd and likely matched

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Knut

McKenna lotto ticket a 2nd and a 3rd and likely matched

It's actually two 2nds after a 1st and 3rd. Which is $4.68M max. I think that's higher than the Ducks are offering on a bridge (but lower than a long term offer which isn't available on an offer sheet anyway).