From the moment Zayne Parekh was picked ninth overall in the 2024 draft, he was seen as a beacon of hope for the Calgary Flames. As the team entered a rebuilding phase, Parekh was instantly pegged as a cornerstone for the future.
The excitement around Parekh was justified, given his electrifying performance with the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, where he notched 33 goals and 96 points in his draft year. He followed that with an even more impressive 33 goals and 107 points the next season.
With numbers like those, it seemed Parekh was ready to make the leap to the pros for the 2025-26 season. However, being only 19 at the season's start made him ineligible for the AHL.
Instead, he made the Flames' opening night roster, much to the delight of fans. But the journey since hasn't been smooth.
Parekh's Rocky Start
Early in the 2025-26 season, Flames fans were vocal about Parekh's limited role. He found himself frequently scratched and saw minimal ice time when he did play, including scarce power play opportunities despite his offensive prowess.
Size also proved to be a challenge. At 6-feet, 179 pounds, Parekh endured numerous big hits, culminating in a check from Nick Foligno that sidelined him for over two months.
After recovering, he represented Canada at the World Juniors, dazzling with 13 points in seven games. This performance reignited hopes that Parekh could translate his offensive skills to the NHL upon his return.
However, the transition hasn't been seamless. Since the Olympic break, Parekh has been scratched in nine of 11 games, logging more than 19 minutes of ice time in just two of them and recording a single assist. Overall, he has played in only 22 games, tallying just two assists.
It's clear Parekh hasn't met expectations this season. The NHL demands more than just offensive flair, especially when the points aren't coming. Parekh's defensive game is still a work in progress, highlighting the gap between junior dominance and NHL readiness.
Looking Ahead to the AHL
The silver lining is that Parekh will be eligible for the AHL in the 2026-27 season. Given his struggles this year, spending time in the minors could be beneficial for his development.
There's still plenty of potential for Parekh to evolve into the player the Flames and their fans envisioned. At just 20, he has time on his side, and defensemen often take longer to mature in the NHL.
Concerns about his first pro season are valid, and responsibility for this challenging year is shared among management, coaching, and Parekh himself. The road to becoming an NHL mainstay is rarely straightforward, but Parekh's journey is just beginning.