The Calgary Flames announced some roster moves on Tuesday afternoon, and the pair of moves probably shouldn’t surprise anybody. The club announced that forward Connor Zary and defenceman Brayden Pachal have been assigned to the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers. Both Zary and Pachal cleared waivers at noon MT on Tuesday after being placed on the waiver wire on Monday.

No corresponding roster moves were announced with the demotions, but some should reasonably be expected ahead of the Flames hitting the Saddledome ice for practice on Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Zary, 25, had one assist over two games with the Flames so far this season, but was a healthy scratch in Saturday’s loss to Vancouver. Last season, he posted 25 points over 74 NHL games with the Flames. He’s a left shot forward who can play centre and the wing, and he was a first-round pick by the Flames in 2020.

But Zary’s fast, dynamic offensive game has become less so since he suffered a pair of knee injuries during the 2024-25 season, and he hasn’t quite gelled with Ryan Huska’s structured, puck management-focused coaching style. At his best, Zary is able to stick-handle and speed past flat-footed defenders in the neutral zone to create rush chances. At his worst, he turns the puck over. He’s been closer to his worst than his best since his injury, and the hope is that he can get his mojo back with the Wranglers.

Pachal, 27, was a healthy scratch for all three Flames games thus far this season. Last season, he had seven points in 39 games and was largely the Flames’ seventh or eighth defender. Acquired by the Flames via a waiver claim in 2023-24, he’s been a really effective depth player for the club since arriving. He’s been a victim of circumstance, though, as the Flames have added a slew of younger blueliners – especially on the right side – and have relegated Pachal to a spectator role.

With the roster moves, Pachal’s cap hit disappears completely from the NHL docket while Zary’s is reduced to a $2.55 million cap penalty while he’s on the AHL roster. For the time being, the Flames are carrying 21 players on their active roster: two goalies, seven defenders and 12 forwards. It’s reasonable to expect one or two call-ups, possibly both of them forwards, ahead of Wednesday.