Connor Zary Injury: Flames get positive update on $2,590,002 centerman

The Calgary Flames received positive news regarding centerman Connor Zary's knee injury sustained in Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Zary collided knee-on-knee with Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson in the second period, prompting Helleson to receive a major penalty and game misconduct.

Initial fears were that Zary may have suffered a serious knee injury requiring surgery and ending his season. However, the Flames announced that while Zary will miss significant time, he will not need surgery on his knee.

"Following an evaluation process, it has been determined that Connor Zary will not require surgery but will be missing from the #Flames lineup for an indefinite period. He will begin his rehabilitation immediately," the Flames said on X/Twitter.

The 23-year-old has been a pleasant surprise for the Flames this season after being drafted No. 24 overall in 2020. He is in his third year of a $2,590,002 contract (as per PuckPedia) which has a $863,334 annual cap hit. Zary has 22 points through 10 goals and 12 assists through 40 games this season.

According to the team, Zary will begin rehabbing the injured knee immediately. While he will miss extended time, the fact that surgery is not required indicates the ACL and MCL were likely not severely damaged.

Getting surgery would have meant missing the entire year, much like Anthony Mantha and Justin Kirkland, both of whom had their seasons ended by knee injuries earlier this year.

While talking with Sportsnet 960 on Friday, General Manager Craig Conroy offered optimism that Zary would return at some point later this season.

Flames HC Ryan Huska on Connor Zary's injury

Flames head coach Ryan Huska discussed the impact of losing centerman Connor Zary to injury indefinitely.

"Connor's quietly come into his own this year with his poise and his possession skills that he does have with the puck," Huska said Friday via CalgaryHerald.com.

"A lot of times on the ice, he's a guy that has been generating some of our more dangerous chances, so you're definitely going to miss that. He's been a key to one of our power plays," he added.

Huska pointed out that when a good player like Zary is missing, whether for a short time or a long time, it makes a big difference. He also said it gives someone else a chance to step up and show what they can do.

The Flames called up top AHL goal scorer Rory Kerins ahead of Saturday's game against the LA Kings. Kerins led the AHL with 21 goals and was second with 34 points this season.