Flames Burn a Year on Parekh’s Deal — What’s Next for the Prospect?

The Calgary Flames made their stance clear when they played 19-year-old defenceman Zayne Parekh in his tenth NHL game Sunday night — he’s staying in the big leagues, at least for now. By doing so, the Flames officially burned the first year of Parekh’s entry-level contract, ending speculation that he might be returned to the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.

General manager Craig Conroy was direct when discussing Parekh’s future and the team’s decision. “With Zayne, there’s going to be a lot of mistakes,” he told Sportsnet’s Eric Francis. “He’s gonna give up two-on-ones, he’s gonna turn pucks over. But junior is not the place for him.”

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That conviction speaks volumes about how the organization views Parekh’s potential. After back-to-back 33-goal seasons and 107 points in the OHL, there’s little left for the offensive blueliner to prove at that level. But the challenge now lies in how Calgary manages his development at the NHL level — especially since he’s been a healthy scratch in five of the team’s first 14 games.

Fans have voiced frustration that Parekh isn’t playing more consistently, arguing that time in the press box stunts growth more than it protects confidence. Conroy, however, insists on balance: “You want to put them in positions where they succeed… not just play them to play them.”

A conditioning stint in the AHL or a temporary loan to the World Juniors remains on the table, but the bigger picture is about patience. The Flames clearly believe Parekh is part of their long-term core — the question now is how best to develop his game in the NHL, where they’ll be keeping him, at least until he’s eligible to spend time in the AHL.

Next: Cowan’s Future: AHL Demotion and Trade Plans Impact The Rookie