SIZZLING START PUTS ZARY IN GOOD COMPANY
Rookie has made immediate impact since his call-up from the Wranglers
Take your pick of several stats. In any case, Connor Zary finds himself in darn good company.
With his latest assist, Zary nudged his November point total to 10, becoming the first Calgary Flames rookie to hit double digits in a calendar month since Matthew Tkachuk did so twice back in 2016-17.
In what continues to be an impressive introduction, Zary has 10 points to show for a dozen appearances at the top level.
Over the past 30 years, the only Flames newbie to reach that mark in faster fashion was Sean Monahan.
Across the NHL, just one freshman has been more productive since Zary's arrival. That would be Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard.
“I'm just trying to go out there and work as hard as I can and make sure the little details are there,” Zary told Postmedia after Monday's overtime triumph against the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights. “Any time I can help produce and help set up plays or put one in the back of the net, it's just an added bonus. I think things are kind of coming off my stick the right way so far. Hopefully, keep that going, keep that momentum.”
There will still be growing pains for Zary — there was a reminder of that when Ryan Huska shortened his bench in Monday's late stages, with No. 47 tapped for just a pair of shifts in the third period — but there's no disputing that the 22-year-old left winger has made an immediate impact at the Saddledome.
The most-in-a-month/fastest-since comparisons to Tkachuk and Monahan are further proof of that. In recent memory, those were two of the most exciting prospects to pass through this city. And while they were both teenagers when they burst on scene, Zary will tell you that he benefited from two-plus winters of seasoning in the American Hockey League.
Now, the Wranglers' equipment staff can move his jersey to longterm storage — or maybe donate it to some sort of silent auction. He won't be headed back to the minors. He has served notice that whatever sort of re-tool might be on the horizon, he is ready to be a significant part of it.
“It's definitely a good start,” Zary said. “But I think there is still a lot to prove.
“It's only been a month, give or take. It's been fun so far, and I just want to keep that momentum rolling day-by-day and game-by-game and do what I can to help chip in.”
He's more than just occasionally chipping in. Heading into Thursday's home date with the Dallas Stars (7 p.m. MT, Sportsnet One/sportsnet 960 The
Fan), Zary is second on the club scoring charts since his call-up, with three goals and seven assists over that span. If not for Bedard, who entered Tuesday's action with 11 points on his November stat sheet, the Flames' hotshot would be the front-runner for the NHL'S rookie-of-the-month nod.
A first-round selection in 2020 and now second-line sidekick to Nazem Kadri, Zary scored on just the third shift of his NHL debut.
It was, in fact, his very first shot on goal.
He hasn't really slowed down since. When he's in the lineup, his team is 7-3-2.
On the recent roadie, as part of a furious comeback in Dallas, Zary set up Mikael Backlund with a beautiful saucer pass that had the Flames' captain almost in disbelief after a point-blank finish.
Despite limited playing time in Monday's third period, he earned an assist on A.J. Greer's game-tying tally, ensuring a smooth breakout with a backhand dish to Kadri. The all-star centre then hauled the puck through the neutral zone and wired a wrist shot from the slot, with Greer charging into the picture to wallop the rebound.
“I think it started with him coming up with confidence,” Huska said, reminding that Zary was on a six-game point-streak when he was summoned from the farm team. “Our team, at the time when he was brought up, we were more of a fragile group. It wasn't pretty a lot of nights with what we were trying to do. And he was at a point where he was feeling really good about his game and when he came up, you could see the confidence that he had.
“There's been some connection with Naz, and he has just continued to do it, for the most part. He's made smart plays. When he has nothing, he'll throw it in the corner, like an NHL player should do. And when he has an opportunity to make a play, he's made some good plays for us.” Sure has.
And don't discount the importance, for any newbie, of realizing that your skill set will translate to the biggest stage.
Still only a few weeks into his NHL career, with one game left in what has already been a November to remember, Zary is asked what he is most proud of so far.
“I think just the way I've been able to come in and be able to play my game and kind of find the little things that I know I can do that I can still do at this level,” he replied. “I can still make plays, and I think that just boosts my confidence even more to know I can keep doing that moving forward.
“I think it's been good so far, but it's the NHL, so every day is a new day. The biggest thing that separates you from being a player in the American League or a sub-par NHLER towards a good NHLER is being consistent every day.
“There are going to be days that are better than others, but I think on the bad days and the days that aren't so good, you still have to push yourself to stay consistent in your game with the little habits.”