Connor Zary
Connor Zary represents arguably the Calgary Flames biggest decision this summer, as the player has shown flashes of elite level potential, but with a major lack of consistency, he's yet to put together a great season in his young NHL career. At 24, soon to be 25-years of age, Zary's career high in points is just 27, and while he's put together long point-per-game stretches, the injuries have held him back from becoming a very good player in the NHL.
While he's meant to be a centre, the Flames have refused to play Zary down the middle, and after seeing significant stretches on the bottom line this past season, it's safe to say that nobody in Calgary is happy with how his role has been defined (or not defined). Given the forward logjam, there's a good chance that the Flames gauge that interest in Zary, and while he may end up being a great player one day, for now, he's been passed by others in the organization, and that may lead to an off-season trade.
Ryan Strome
Like Olli Maatta, Ryan Strome arrived in Calgary as a replacement for one of their big name veterans, and while he didn't take Nazem Kadri's role as the Flames 1C, Strome certainly produced like one following the trade. Despite playing with a rotating cast of linemates as the Flames tried to get more and more people looks in the middle-six, Strome tallied 5 goals and 12 points in just 19 games, following just 9 points in 33 games with the Ducks before the trade.
Unlike Maatta, Strome is on an expiring contract heading into next season, so while it's a guarantee that the 32-year old will be dealt at some point, the Flames may look to be proactive here. That one season may be for $5 million, but after seeing him produce at a 52-point pace across 82 games, a Stanley Cup contender may look at Strome as a perfect middle-six centre, and if that's the case, the Flames need to strike while the iron is hot.
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