Calgary Flames fans got their wish on Tuesday, as the organization announced that they had called up prospect Zayne Parekh. Fans had been hoping this would become a reality over the last week, as it became clear that the defenseman and his Saginaw Spirit teammates were likely to be eliminated from the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) playoffs.
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The ninth-overall 2024 pick is the type of prospect the Flames haven’t had for some time, as he has true superstar potential. In fact, the last prospect with this much hype less than a year after his draft may have come way back in 2016 when they were able to snatch up Matthew Tkachuk at sixth overall.
Given his talent level, there are many who believe Parekh could immediately help this Flames team as they look to overtake the Minnesota Wild for a wild-card spot. The organization seems to have a different view, however, with Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reporting he won’t draw into the lineup unless the Flames are eliminated from playoff contention.
Flames Need to Give Parekh a Shot
Heading into training camp, 2024-25 was being viewed as nothing more than a rebuilding season for the Flames. Many expected them to be a lottery team, and perhaps speed up their rebuild by adding a top-tier prospect early in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Instead, they’ve been a very competitive bunch and are very much in the playoff race.
While you can admire management for wanting to give this group a shot at making the playoffs, it’s important they remember the long-term goal of this team, which is to become a Stanley Cup contender. Parekh is a vital part of that plan, and having him develop into the stud he looks like he could become is crucial. That’s why getting him in the lineup immediately would be the best plan.
There is no doubt that suiting up right now would put a lot of pressure on Parekh given how high the stakes of these games are. That said, playing in such important games would give him a good idea of just how fast-paced and physical they are, which would go a long way in his development. Sitting in the press box won’t give him that same opportunity.
There is also an argument to be made that Parekh is already better than some defencemen currently in the Flames lineup. Jake Bean has been a disappointment and isn’t at all a long-term solution for the organization. The same can be said for Daniil Miromanov, who has really struggled in what is his first full NHL season. Brayden Pachal, despite signing an extension earlier this season, is a bottom-pairing blue liner at best, while Joel Hanley, who has played well, may still be a lesser player than Parekh currently is.
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At the very least, none of the defencemen listed are nearly as gifted offensively as Parekh. For a Flames team that struggles to score, having a blue liner that can headman the puck and jump into the rush like Parekh would give them a chance to open things up offensively, which could pay huge dividends into their hopes of getting into a playoff spot.
Parekh Deserving of Opportunity
At the very least, Parekh deserves the chance to prove he can give this team a shot to win. The Flames’ bottom-pairing defencemen are used quite sparingly by head coach Ryan Huska, particularly as of late. Giving Parekh a few big games with those same limited minutes would help shelter and prevent him from being any sort of game-altering liability, while also still giving him a shot to prove he can continue to be an offensive threat early into his NHL career. For a player coming off of a 107-point season in the OHL, he’s worth whatever perceived gamble the Flames see with putting him in the lineup immediately.
