The Vancouver Canucks have emerged as one of several teams showing interest in acquiring Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The development continues a months-long effort by Calgary to find a new home for the 25-year-old, a 2020 first-round selection who has yet to solidify himself as a consistent NHL contributor.
Calgary began actively shopping Zary over the summer, with reports indicating the club was seeking a second-round draft pick in return. That asking price drew no serious takers, leaving the forward in place through the offseason.
Early in the 2026-27 campaign, Zary lost his grip on an NHL roster spot, was placed on waivers, and went unclaimed. He was subsequently assigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, where he scored a goal in his season debut.
The lack of claims is widely attributed to the remaining money on his contract rather than a complete absence of interest in the player himself.
Zary carries a $3.775 million average annual value through the 2027-28 season. Other clubs have shown reluctance to absorb the full cap hit without some form of accommodation. Calgary still holds one salary-retention slot but has no interest in using it on Zary, effectively removing that option.
The Flames could instead attach a draft pick or player to facilitate a move, yet with the team mired in a rebuild and off to an 0-5-0 start, there is little urgency to clear the contract at the expense of additional assets.
Friedman has noted that any deal without retention would likely require creativity, such as the Flames taking back a player carrying his own less-than-ideal salary.
Vancouver lacks an obvious matching contract in that regard. Players under similar term, such as Linus Karlsson and Marco Rossi, do not appear to be natural pieces in such a swap. Still, the Canucks’ own rebuilding status could make them a logical destination.
A club focused on development can offer the kind of opportunity a contender might not.
Zary could compete for a role as the No. 3 center opposite pending unrestricted free agent Drew O’Connor, or challenge for second-line left-wing minutes currently occupied by Paul Cotter, though Cotter’s strong early production complicates that path. Depth options such as Arshdeep Bains could also be displaced on the fourth line.
Whether Zary would represent a clear upgrade remains an open question. He broke in with promise in 2023-24, posting 14 goals and 34 points in 63 games and ranking high within Calgary’s prospect system.
The following seasons brought more modest totals of 13 goals and 27 points in 54 games, then 12 goals and 25 points in 74 games.
Once projected as a reliable top-nine forward with a long career ahead rather than a star, he now waits in the AHL for his next NHL chance, most likely with another organization.
