Two of the biggest bright spots last season for the Flames were Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil. Both of them played their first NHL games and managed to stay with the Flames the whole season. These two young players jumped up the Flames depth charts and carved out full-time roles in the NHL. Heading into their second seasons, the two young players will be looking to take another step forward and avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.
The Sophomores In Calgary
Connor Zary
Rookie Season
The Flames drafted Zary with the 24th pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft. He would go on to spend two full seasons in the AHL developing before getting his first NHL action. Zary was called up in October after a hot start in the AHL where he tallied ten points in his first six games. Zary would form a line with centreman Nazem Kadri and fellow rookie Martin Pospisil. This trio would quickly become one of the Flames’ most effective lines. The line was fuelled by the energy of the two rookies, combined with offensive skill. Zary showed he has more than enough skill and speed to keep up in the NHL. After his initial debut, Zary was able to maintain his production, finishing wiht 34 points in 63 games. He won some Calder Trophy votes and was a big success many didn’t see coming.
Keys To A Successful Sophomore Season
The question heading into this season will be how can Zary continue to build off his strong rookie season. The easiest answer is to increase his point production. Zary showed that he has the skill to play in the NHL and the Flames have struggled to find consistent offence in recent years. Contributing offensively will be a big factor in defining success for Zary. If he can find a way to get closer to a 50-point season he will be moving in the right direction and cementing his spot as a core organizational piece.
In addition to his offensive, Zary can look to build in other areas as well. The Flames lack depth down the middle, and Zary is a traditional centreman. He played wing all last season, but the Flames may be forced to try him at centre this year. If given the opportunity, Zary will need to show he can win faceoffs and continue to be reliable defensively with the added responsibility. Showing he can play centre in the NHL would make him even more valuable to this organization.
Martin Pospisil
Rookie Season
The Flames originally drafted Pospisil in the 4th round of the 2018 NHL draft. He spent four seasons in the NHL developing and battling injuries. Pospisil was called up early in November last season and like fellow rookie Zary, he made an immediate impact. He brought physicality and grit to the Flames. Pospisil has a nose for the net and the dirty areas of the ice and made a habit of getting under the skin of his opponents. He contributed some offence, scoring 24 points in his 63 games last season. The biggest indication of Pospisil’s impact is the Flames record when he plays. When Pospisil was in the lineup the Flames went 34-25-4, but without, they were a mere 4-14-1. This contrast makes it clear that Pospisil has a positive impact on team success.
Keys To A Successful Sophomore Season
Pospisil’s play clearly contributed to winning, which makes him valuable. HIs game is built on effort and he should be able to continue to be impactful every night simply by bringing a strong effort. In order to progress in his sophomore season he will need to improve his discipline and increase his offensive production.
Pospisil is coming off an exciting summer where he helped Slovakia qualify for the 2026 Olympics. With the national team, Pospisil had an increased role over what he had with the Flames. This should help him with confidence offensively. If he can translate this success into earning power play time he should be able to improve his production. Additionally, if Pospisil continues to drive the net as he did in his rookie season, he should be able to increase his goal totals.
Pospisil made his mark on the league last season through his physical play and agitation. However, he was suspended and will need to learn how to straddle the line without going over it. He is also someone with a long injury history. Pospisil will need to find a balance between the aggressive play that makes him successful and staying out of harm’s way. The more he can stay in the lineup, the more he should be able to show his value.
Big Season Ahead
Both Pospisil and Zary have shown they can play in the NHL. Each one has different elements of their games that make them valuable to the Flames. Heading into the season they’ve put themselves into a perfect position. They should both be starting the season in the Flames top-nine. If they approach the game the same way they did last season they should be successful. The only question is whether they can handle a season with expectations and added responsibility. If they can, it will be a huge win for the organization and these two young players.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
