The Calgary Flames and forward Connor Zary have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $11.325 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $3.775 million. The deal, finalized on Friday, September 5, 2025, ensures that Zary remains with the Flames and addresses one of the team's key offseason priorities.

Zary, 23, was a restricted free agent (RFA) this summer. Selected by the Flames in the first round (24th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, the Saskatoon native has played two seasons in Calgary, accumulating 27 goals and 61 points in 117 games.

Last season, Zary recorded 13 goals and 27 points in 54 games before a lower-body injury cut his season short. A knee injury in January sidelined him for a month, and a collision in March caused him to miss the remainder of the year.

The new contract is a "bridge" deal, a term used to describe a shorter-term contract given to young players who have yet to establish themselves as top-tier talents. This allows the team to retain the player while giving them time to further develop and prove their long-term value. It also gives the player an opportunity to increase their value before negotiating a potentially larger, longer-term contract.

Zary made his professional debut in February 2021, taking advantage of the delayed start to the Western Hockey League (WHL) season due to COVID-19. He quickly adapted, recording seven points in his first nine AHL games before returning to the Kamloops Blazers, where he served as captain and scored 24 points in 15 games. He concluded his junior career with 206 points in 203 games.

After a less impactful first full AHL season, where he scored 13 goals and 25 points in 53 games, Zary found his stride when the Heat relocated to Calgary for the 2022-23 season. He posted 21 goals and 58 points in 72 games. He then forced his way into the NHL lineup with 10 points in six AHL games at the beginning of the 2023-24 season.

The Flames have given Zary opportunities to establish himself in the NHL lineup over the past two seasons. There is belief that he will play an even bigger role in the 2025-26 season and could start on the first line with Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau.

General Manager Craig Conroy has secured a key piece for the Flames' future with this signing. At a $3.775 million AAV, Zary's contract could prove to be a bargain if he continues to develop and increase his offensive output.