September 3, 2025 | 10:43am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
ZARY “GETTING CLOSER” TO NEXT CONTRACT
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Connor Zary, forward
The Calgary Flames and restricted free agent forward Connor Zary have picked up contract negotiations and are making headway on a new contract, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta.
Pagnotta reported on Tuesday in his latest column that Zary and the Flames are “getting closer,” per sources, on what is expected to be a three-year agreement, barring any last-minute changes in negotiations.
Zary, 23, is in the final year of his three-year, entry-level contract. He tallied 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in 54 games with the Flames last season.
While Pagnotta noted there is still work to be done, the hope is a new contract is finalized prior to the start of training camp, which gets underway in two weeks.
Still work to be done, they're not yet at the finish line, but I'm told the #Flames are getting closer to a deal with RFA Connor Zary. Sounds like it may end up at 3 years.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 2, 2025
Meanwhile, Flames captain Mikael Backlund is in the final year of his contract and appears to be confident he will get a new multi-year deal done at some point.
According to Pagnotta, who spoke and interviewed Backlund for SiriusXM NHL Network Radio while in Milan for the NHL/NHLPA European Player Media Tour, the expectation is the 36-year-old will ink a new deal with the Flames that takes them into their new arena, which is set to open ahead of the 2027-28 season.