Is Zayne Parekh Primed for a Big Year With the Calgary Flames? One Key Person Believes So

Last season, the Calgary Flames got their first extended look at prospect Zayne Parekh, and while there was some good in his performances, for the most part, it was a disappointing campaign from the young defenseman.

Whether it be adjusting to the physicality, the speed or the brutality of a full 82-game schedule, Parekh was in and out of the Flames lineup due to injuries, with the Flames trying to take care of him as much as possible, allowing him to go play for Team Canada at the World Juniors tournament.

This season, there are plenty of hopes this could be turned around, and after looking more comfortable at the end of the season, GM Craig Conroy has revealed why he's so confident in a bounce back season for the 20-year-old.

Zayne Parekh Reportedly Getting His 'Cockiness' Back

This issue isn't unique to Parekh however, as the speed and physicality of the NHL game take a while to adjust too, and for a player that's smaller in stature but used to dominating opponents, it's not always a transition that's made in their rookie year.

During his appearance on the Spittin Chiclets podcast, GM Craig Conroy addressed this exact topic, and unsurprisingly, he noted how Parekh looked like he was doubting himself early in the season when the natural production that No. 19 would be used too didn't arrive.

"I thought there was a lot of self doubt in his game when I talked to him at the beginning of the year."

Craig Conroy on Zayne Parekh

That was evident on the ice as Parekh looked timid and took a few hits that worried Flames fans, leading to him heading back to juniors for the World Juniors tournament, with some fans concerned that he wouldn't be able to make it at the next level. However, Conroy certainly isn't one of those people that are worried, as he noted how comfortable Parekh got down the stretch, and heading into the new season, he revealed that ZP19 has his 'cockiness' back.

"I think as the season went along, especially the way he finished at the end, he's got that cockiness back."

Craig Conroy on Zayne Parekh

Will Zayne Parekh Take an Offensive Leap in 2026/27?

That cockiness was on full display on the final day of the Flames regular season when he scored one of the most impressive goals in franchise history, using all of that offensive skill to dazzle the Los Angeles Kings and finish off an absolute beauty of a goal.

That is the type of high end skill that the Flames were expecting to see out of him all year, and if he enters 2026/27 with that type of confidence and belief in his game, there's no reason why he can't take the leap to stardom that fans in Calgary are desperately waiting to see.

Whether or not that results in him breaking out offensively or whether he has a slight uptick in production from his 4 goals and 9 points in 37 games a year ago only time will tell, but if he truly does have that confidence back, we could be in for a fun season of No. 19.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow