Forward was restricted free agent; GM says ‘we need him to take another step’

Zary CGY contract extension

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Connor Zary signed a three-year, $11.3 million contract with the Calgary Flames on Saturday. It has an average annual value of $3.775 million.

The forward, who turns 24 on Sept. 25, had been a restricted free agent. He had 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 54 games last season.

“It was a long one, but to get it finally done is a huge weight off the shoulders,” Zary told the Flames website. “It feels unbelievable. Honestly, I can’t wait to get to Calgary and get things going here. It feels good to have it in pen now, and just get things going.”

Zary missed the final 11 games with a left knee injury sustained following a collision with Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen 7:10 into the third period of a 5-2 loss at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 27. He also missed 14 games from Jan. 11-Feb. 23 because of an injury to the same knee.

“Now that it’s done, we’re really looking forward to having him in camp,” general manager Craig Conroy told Flames TV. “He’s going to be a big part of this team moving forward, so we’re very excited to have it done. For the team’s side, it’s big, but also for Connor’s side. He wants to come in here, grab a spot higher in the lineup, the highest he can. We need him to take another step.”

Selected by Calgary with the No. 24 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Zary has 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 117 regular-season games.

The Flames begin the season at the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 8. At 41-27-14 last season, they finished tied in points (96) with the St. Louis Blues (44-30-8) for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference but lost the tiebreaker with one fewer regulation win.

“You’ve got that group of guys that you’re familiar with, and everyone’s really excited,” Zary said. “We know how close we were last year, and I think with that same group of guys, and that camaraderie we have in the locker room is huge.

“We all know what it takes, and we all know what we need to do as a group to take the next step. I think that’s really exciting for us.”