Conroy: Parekh will have 'great opportunity' to make Flames

Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy sees a path for top prospect Zayne Parekh to make the roster out of camp this fall.

"Just watching Zayne all year, just seeing what he can do offensively and the way he kind of plays. Even when he came up at the end (of the season), to watch him in practice, he just does things differently than most guys," Conroy said, per TSN.

Conroy added, "I don't want to put too much pressure on him, but he's going to have a great opportunity to make this team next year."

The Flames drafted Parekh ninth overall in 2024. He suited up for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit this past season and became only the 10th defenseman in league history to notch 100 points in a single campaign.

Parekh joined Calgary for the final game of the 2024-25 regular season and scored in his NHL debut. The 19-year-old is touted for his offensive instincts, but Conroy said he wants to see Parekh grow in other areas before he suits up for the Flames on a full-time basis.

"Offensively, he can do all that. It's going to be his play away from the puck, how he can defend," Conroy said.

"I'm just looking for him to come in and just play his game and be more confident. I think he was disappointed when he came in last year - it didn't work quite as well. It wasn't as easy as he thought it was going to be."

Calgary defied expectations last season and were in the playoff hunt throughout the campaign before missing the cut in a tiebreak scenario with the St. Louis Blues.