Calgary Flames scared to play one player against Oilers in home opener
Photo credit: Oilers Nation Image
According to an Oilersnation podcast, the Calgary Flames purposely did not dress its top defensive prospect last night against the Oilers for fear he'd be out of his league against the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl.
Flames' coaching staff last night decided it was imprudent to dress Zane Parekh, the team's 9th-overall pick in 2024, believing the intensity of the BOA would be too much for the nineteen-year old defenseman.
During the Oilersnation podcast, the hosts had this to say about Zane:
"First-round pick from last year [Zane Parekh] who was dubbed the next Cale Makar by unknown sources, was not in the lineup last night because they're scared of playing him against Connor and Leon.
Huska [Calgary head coach] confirmed that Zane Parekh won't start the season tonight against the Oilers, which has plenty to do with the speed and skills of the Oilers. Those who think this is the wrong decision clearly didn't watch how Parekh struggled defensively throughout the preseason."
Huska [Calgary head coach] confirmed that Zane Parekh won't start the season tonight against the Oilers, which has plenty to do with the speed and skills of the Oilers. Those who think this is the wrong decision clearly didn't watch how Parekh struggled defensively throughout the preseason."
You can't deny that the Oilers offense is formidable, and that dressing an inexperienced defenseman that hasn't quite developed at the NHL level against grown men, is a tad premature, however talented Parekh might be.
These are comments from Calgary's head coach himself, as reported by the Edmonton Journal.
«We want to be able to help (Parekh) succeed and that means sometimes if you're sensing some things or he's wearing down a bit, we have to find ways to re-energize him and we have to find ways to help him in certain situations,» Flames head coach Ryan Huska said. «If that means sitting out a game or two, that's not a bad thing for a young guy.
Parekh, the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, signed his entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames on July 5, 2024. He climbed to No. 5 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings from No. 10.
He also led Ontario Hockey League defensemen and set Saginaw records for goals (33) and points (96) by a defenseman in 66 regular-season games. He had 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 13 OHL playoff games, and five points (one goal, four assists) in five games to help Saginaw win the Memorial Cup.
He clearly has the talent to one day be a solid NHL D-man, just not yesterday against the Edmonton Oilers.
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