logo
FlamesNation has no direct affiliation to the Calgary Flames, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Flames weekly notebook: Zayne Parekh is getting his swagger back
alt
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/The Nation Network
Robert Munnich
Dec 30, 2025, 14:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 30, 2025, 03:09 EST
Comments
There was a lot of hype surrounding Zayne Parekh entering his first full season in the NHL, and for good reason. He was coming off 96 and 107 point seasons in the OHL. He joined Bobby Orr as the only two OHA/OHL defencemen to put up multiple 30+ goal seasons.
Unfortunately, his rookie campaign has not gone the way he and the Flames had planned, and he’s lost confidence because of it.
It all started with head coach Ryan Huska making Parekh a healthy scratch in the first two games of the season.
When Parekh did get in the lineup, he looked to be physically outmatched on a lot of nights. Yes, he made some things happen in the offensive zone. But he also struggled with the pace and physicality of the NHL game. And that shouldn’t worry Flames fans. He is 19 years old. It’s going to take Parekh some time to get used to playing in the NHL.
Parekh’s season was put on pause after getting checked into the boards in an awkward position by veteran, physical forward Nick Foligno.
Luckily for Parekh, the injury wasn’t too serious and he was able to be loaned to the Canadian World Junior team.
The World Juniors have been the perfect place for Parekh to get his swagger back. He has been able to play against players his own age. He’s been trusted by Dale Hunter and been put in positions to succeed playing on the top pairing at 5-on-5 and quarterbacking the top power play unit. This is exactly what he needed after a tough start to the season in Calgary. He admitted that this season has been tough on him mentally to TSN’s Mark Masters.
Through three games, Parekh is 2nd among all defensemen in scoring with five points (3 goals, 2 assists). And he could have more points had his teammates been able to put away some of the elite passes Parekh has put on their tape in scoring positions.
Parekh has been the most dangerous player on Team Canada up to this point of the tournament. It feels like something good happens every time he touches the puck in the offensive zone. He has a special ability to make high end tape to tape passes, walk the blueline, and get his shot through traffic.
Just look at some of the plays he has made.
Now comes the question about what the Flames should do with Parekh once the World Juniors come to an end. That is not an easy question to answer.
He can go back to the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. Or the Flames can keep him up with the NHL team and sprinkle in a two week conditioning stint in the AHL at some point this season. I’ll do a deep dive into what the Flames should do with Parekh later this week.
But regardless of that decision, it’s clear the Flames organization is going to get back a highly skilled player with some reignited swagger and confidence after dominating a tournament of his peers.
Let’s take a look at a couple other Flames storylines.

Be patient

The Calgary Flames are back in the playoff mix after getting off to their worst start in franchise history. Since Nov. 19, the Flames have the fourth-best points percentage in the NHL. You have to give the players and coaches in that dressing room credit for completely turning around their season.
There is a group of Flames fans who are worried that this group is going to finish in the mushy middle once again. Not good enough to make the playoffs. And not bad enough to get a top draft pick. Where the Flames have lived for the last 30+ years.
My message to Flames fans who are feeling this way is: be patient.
Here is how I see things playing out between now and the end of the season.
This team will be in the mix, or in a playoff spot, come the trade deadline. They will remain competitive as long as Rasmus Andersson, Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri are part of this team. Those three players and the goaltenders are keeping this team hovering around a wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
On top of that, the Flames don’t have an overly difficult schedule between now and Mar. 6.
But things are going to change after the Mar. 6 trade deadline.
Rasmus Andersson will most likely be traded. He has been the Flames best player this season. He is the heart and soul of this team right now. He touches every facet of the game for Ryan Huska. Who is going to replace those minutes when he is gone?
You would hope that Craig Conroy has the foresight to also move out a few more veterans. Say two of Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, Joel Farabee, and Joel Hanley. That would be the final nail in the coffin to the Flames playoff chances.
Their schedule is incredibly difficult following Mar. 6. There is no way this Flames team, without Rasmus Andersson and one or two of the veterans I mentioned prior, will make the playoffs with this schedule.
Yes, it is frustrating to see this team get back in the mushy middle. I am right there with you if you are feeling that way.
But I don’t think it’s going to last for the entire season. Whenever Andersson and others are moved, the playoff hopes for the Flames will be extinguished.

Ryan Lomberg

The Lombergini has become an important member of the Flames organization. And a lot of that comes from his contributions off the ice.
Yes, he does some good things on the ice. He brings speed, physicality, toughness, and a little bit of scoring touch, as he has proved over the last few weeks.
But he provides the most value off the ice. His positivity, energy and leadership are needed right now for this team, especially post trade deadline following trades of veteran leaders. This team will start to lose games again at some point, and when that happens they are going to need someone to keep some positivity going.
The last thing you want to happen is for Calgary to become a miserable place to play during a rebuild. You need guys to keep things loose in the room, and Lomberg does exactly that. He doesn’t need to be in the lineup every night, but I think it’s important to keep him around this team.
I would have no issues with the Flames re-signing Lomberg to a one or two year contract.

PRESENTED BY VIVID SEATS

Take $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200+ using promo code FLAMESNATION (new customers only, $200 USD minimum before taxes & fees)

Editorials

Breaking News