Flames’ Playoff Push Means Parekh Will Wait for NHL Debut

Just a day after joining the Calgary Flames in Anaheim, Zayne Parekh, the team`s highly anticipated prospect, faced the question everyone was pondering: Is he ready to play professional hockey?

The typically confident 19-year-old expressed a rare moment of hesitation, saying, “You never know. I think I need to get a feel for it, especially next fall or summertime and see what unfolds.”

He continued, “However, I am confident in my abilities. If given the chance, I believe I could play in an NHL game. But, we`ll have to wait and see what happens.”

However, the immediate plan is for Parekh to observe and learn from the sidelines for the remaining five games of the season.

Barring any unforeseen injuries or if the Flames` playoff chances become mathematically impossible, Parekh, the organization`s most exciting young talent, is expected to make his NHL debut next season, not in the current one.

And this cautious approach is considered the right move.

Given Parekh`s exceptional junior hockey performance, the Flames are in a precarious playoff race, currently trailing Minnesota by four points with only five games left. This situation leaves little room for error, and introducing a rookie could disrupt the team`s current chemistry, especially as they are playing their best hockey at a crucial time.

While some fans might be eager to see Parekh in action immediately, the team believes patience is key.

General Manager Craig Conroy stated, “We are not hesitant to play him if an injury occurs, but we aim to set him up for success, similar to our approach with Dustin Wolf.”

Conroy acknowledged the excitement surrounding Parekh, drawing comparisons to Bobby Orr based on his junior hockey achievements. “But,” Conroy emphasized, “we have a cohesive group of players currently striving for something significant, and we need to maintain that stability.”

Conroy clarified that under different circumstances, such as a secure playoff spot or eliminated contention, Parekh and fellow prospect Aydar Suniev would likely be integrated into the lineup, similar to other junior and collegiate players joining teams around the league at this time of year.

Likewise, if the Flames were out of playoff contention, the situation might be different.

However, the Flames` current situation is unique, and delaying Parekh`s debut now is not expected to hinder his long-term development.

The experience of joining the team, practicing with them, traveling, and observing NHL player preparations for high-stakes games offers valuable insights for Parekh and Suniev.

These young players will gain invaluable knowledge and experience, accelerating their preparation for next season.

This long-term perspective is considered beneficial for their development.

The article points out that Parekh`s situation differs from Cale Makar`s debut with Colorado in the 2019 playoffs. Makar, at 20, had more experience playing against older competition in college hockey.

Parekh, while dominant in junior hockey in Saginaw, achieving feats comparable to Bobby Orr by recording consecutive 30-goal seasons as a defender in the OHL/OHA, is still transitioning to the professional level.

Parekh, a six-foot, 185-pound defenseman with exceptional skating ability, is recognized as a special talent with high potential for NHL stardom once he adjusts to the professional game.

However, it`s acknowledged that there will be an adjustment period.

Parekh himself admitted that his initial training camp with the Flames as an 18-year-old was a “humbling” experience.

He recalled a specific moment during a prospect tournament where a turnover led to the opposing team`s overtime victory, serving as a “welcome-to-the-bigs” lesson.

Therefore, protecting against similar mistakes in a critical Game 77 of a playoff race is a prudent decision.

“I learned a lot from that experience, including the intensity and strength required to compete at this level,” Parekh reflected, recalling facing NHL stars Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson in a pre-season game. He added that he has since focused more on strength training during the season, which has been beneficial.

Conroy noted that Parekh appears to have gained muscle and possibly even height.

After playing significant minutes in the recent junior series, Parekh is undoubtedly a more refined player and better prepared for the challenges of professional hockey.

However, rushing his NHL debut is deemed unnecessary, especially considering the limited practice time available for the team to integrate him into their defensive system before the season concludes.

Parekh stated that while he would be “grateful” for the opportunity to play, he is “completely okay” with either scenario. He will participate in team practices, meals, and meetings, immersing himself in the NHL environment.

He added, “If I don’t play, it likely means the team is making the playoffs, which is even better. I’ll be their biggest supporter, and I’m also eager to experience the city during playoff time, having seen clips from their previous playoff run.”

It`s suggested that the city is equally, if not more, eager to see Parekh play.

Parekh believes he has significantly improved his overall game, particularly defensively. He highlighted improvements in “angles and gaps” and acknowledged the need to continue building strength around the net. Offensively, he feels he has elevated his game to “another level.”

There`s widespread anticipation within the organization and the city to witness Parekh`s skills firsthand.

Everyone is eager to see his full potential.

However, prioritizing both Parekh`s long-term development and the team`s immediate playoff aspirations suggests that waiting until next season for his debut is the most sensible approach to fully showcase his progress.