Just a day after joining the Calgary Flames in Anaheim, Zayne Parekh, the team`s newest prospect, faced a pressing question: Is he ready to play professional hockey?
“You never know,” the usually confident 19-year-old admitted with a rare moment of hesitation.
“I need to get a feel for things, especially during the summer and next fall, to see what happens.
“But I believe in my abilities. If given the chance, I could play in an NHL game. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
However, the immediate plan is for Parekh to observe and learn during the remaining five games of the season.
Unless injuries occur or a game becomes inconsequential in the playoff race, this highly anticipated prospect will likely wait until the fall to play his first NHL game.
And that’s probably the right approach.
Despite his impressive junior hockey career as a top-scoring defenseman, the current playoff situation is too critical to bring in a rookie.
With the Flames chasing a playoff spot, every game is crucial. Disrupting the team`s current strong performance and chemistry isn`t necessary.
While fans are eager to see Parekh in action, patience is key.
General Manager Craig Conroy stated, “We’re ready to play him if injuries arise, but we want to set him up for success, similar to our approach with Dustin Wolf.”
“I understand the excitement around him, especially given the comparisons to Bobby Orr based on his junior league stats.”
“However, we have a strong team playing well right now, and we need to maintain that momentum.”
If the Flames had a secure playoff spot or were out of contention, Parekh and another prospect, Suniev, might have already played, following the trend of other teams integrating young players at this time of year.
But the Flames` situation is unique. Delaying Parekh`s debut now won`t hinder his promising future.
There’s significant value in having Parekh and Aydar Suniev join the team now. They can integrate, meet everyone, practice with the team, understand the routine, and observe how NHL players prepare for high-pressure games.
This experience is beneficial for the young players, providing valuable insights as they prepare for next season.
This approach differs from Cale Makar`s debut with Colorado in the 2019 playoffs. Makar, at 20, had college-level experience.
Parekh has excelled in junior hockey, joining Orr as the only OHL/OHA defensemen to score 30 goals in consecutive seasons.
This talented, six-foot, 185-pound defenseman is likely to become an NHL star once he adjusts to the professional level.
However, there will be an adjustment period.
Parekh himself acknowledged his training camp experience with the Flames was “eye-opening.”
His first taste of professional hockey in a prospect tournament included a turnover that led to the opposing team`s winning goal.
Preventing similar mistakes in crucial NHL games makes sense.
“I learned a lot, especially how demanding it is and the strength needed,” Parekh mentioned, recalling facing top players like Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson in preseason games.
“Honestly, I wasn’t dedicated enough to the gym during the season in previous years. This year, I made sure to work out two or three times a week. I’ve learned a lot.”
Conroy notes that Parekh appears stronger and possibly taller.
After playing significant minutes in the junior series where his team was surprisingly eliminated in the first round, Parekh is undoubtedly a more developed player, better prepared to prove himself at the NHL level now.
But rushing his debut is unnecessary, especially with limited practice time left this season to fully integrate him into the team`s defensive strategies.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to play, but I’m completely fine whether I play or not,” Parekh said, noting he will participate in team practices, meals, and meetings.
“If I don’t play, it probably means the team is making the playoffs, which is even better. I’ll be their biggest supporter, and I’m curious to experience the city during playoff time, having seen highlights of their last playoff run.”
It`s safe to say the city is eager to see him play.
“I’m still the same player as last year, but I’ve improved my overall game, especially defensively,” said Parekh, who led OHL defensemen with 33 goals, 107 points, and a +42 rating in 61 games.
“My positioning and defensive zone coverage are much better. I still need to gain strength around the net, but offensively, I believe I’ve reached a new level.”
Everyone within the organization and the fanbase is excited to see his potential.
All of it.
However, prioritizing his and the team`s long-term success means understanding that waiting until next season to showcase his progress is the wiser decision.
