Calgary Flames concluded an impressive road trip, overcoming a 6-2 defeat in Toronto a week prior by securing victories against the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders. This marks a historic first for the franchise, sweeping all three New York teams on the road.
Riding high on this momentum, the Flames are now just four points behind the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference playoff race. As the season nears its end, several key questions are being raised, which we will address in this edition of the Flames mailbag.
A prominent question is whether Zayne Parekh, Calgary`s top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, could potentially join the team. Parekh is coming off an outstanding season with the OHL`s Saginaw Spirit, where he achieved his second consecutive 33-goal season.
This accomplishment places Parekh in elite company, becoming only the second defenseman in OHL/OHA history to record multiple 30-goal seasons, alongside hockey legend Bobby Orr. Furthermore, his 107 points this season represent the highest score by an OHL defenseman since 1993-94.
The excitement around Parekh is justified, as he is considered the Flames` most promising prospect since Matthew Tkachuk. However, unlike Cale Makar`s surprise NHL debut in 2019, it`s unlikely Parekh will make a similar immediate jump to the NHL this season.
Despite this, there`s a strong possibility of seeing Parekh in the NHL within the next year. As he will be 19 next season, he remains ineligible for the American Hockey League. Given his dominance at the junior level, the Flames are expected to give him every opportunity to earn an NHL roster spot in the upcoming training camp.
Parekh will need to focus on building his size and strength over the summer and demonstrate defensive improvements during training camp. Even if he doesn`t play a full season, similar to Leo Carlsson`s rookie year with the Ducks, Parekh playing a significant portion of next season in the NHL is a realistic prospect.
Another key topic in Calgary is the contract situation of goalie Dustin Wolf, who is having a remarkable rookie season and is likely to be a Calder Trophy finalist. Wolf`s performance, statistically ranking him among the league`s best in key metrics, is a major factor in the Flames` playoff contention.
Wolf, currently in the first year of a two-year contract, becomes eligible for an extension on July 1. There are differing views on the approach to his next contract. One approach is to commit to a long-term deal, similar to Jordan Binnington`s six-year extension with the Blues after their 2019 Stanley Cup win. While Binnington has experienced fluctuations in performance, St. Louis likely doesn`t regret this decision.
Alternatively, from Wolf`s perspective, a shorter-term “bridge” contract might be more appealing. A two-year deal would give him more time to solidify his performance and potentially command a larger contract at around age 27, mirroring Binnington`s age when he signed his extension.
Dan Vladar also deserves recognition. Despite Wolf`s emergence, Vladar has been crucial in the Flames` playoff push, especially since February. His improved performance since February 2nd, with a 4-1-1 record and a .919 save percentage in his last seven appearances, has been vital.
This resurgence makes it more probable that Vladar, a pending UFA, and the Flames will agree to a new contract. The Wolf-Vladar tandem has proven effective, with Vladar consistently giving Calgary a chance to win.
The question remains whether Vladar will be content in a backup role, understanding Wolf is the future starter, or if he will seek a team where he can have more playing time.
Regarding potential college free agent signings, the Flames have already signed goaltender Owen Say to a one-year contract. Say had a strong season with Notre Dame, posting a .920 save percentage, which ranked third in the Big Ten. The Flames value Say`s skating and agility, adding him to their pool of promising goalie prospects.
Reports also link the Flames to Carter King, captain of the University of Denver. King, a Calgary native known for his work ethic and two-way play, scored 20 goals and 40 points this season and is a two-time national champion, leading Denver into the NCAA tournament.
Tristan Blackwood