Craig Conroy sends clear message to Calgary Flames' young players
Don’t expect the Calgary Flames to hold back or attempt to protect their younger players this coming season.
Flames fans grew rather frustrated at times last season with how some of the organization’s youth was developed. The main case in point was Zayne Parekh, who sat out of the lineup as a healthy scratch numerous times in 2025-26. It doesn’t sound as though that type of development pattern will continue going forward.
During an interview with Jock Wilson on QR770 on Tuesday night, GM Craig Conroy made it clear that he wants to see the younger players take big strides, and that they are going to be put in great positions to do so.
“I want to see growth from these young guys,” Conroy said. “They’re going to be put in situations and given opportunities that they wouldn’t get on a lot of teams. Now they’ve got to take advantage of it.
“They have to grab the bull by the horns and take that spot. Everyone wants to be on the first power play, everybody wants to be [on the] PK, everybody wants to be out last minute of the game when you’re winning, and you’re losing. These guys are going to get that opportunity, and who’s going to take those jobs? This is an evaluation year.”
It isn’t just the on-ice play of the younger players that Conroy is hoping to see improve, either. He made it clear that it’s time for them to step up and act as leaders following the departure of several veterans such as Blake Coleman, MacKenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, and Nazem Kadri.
“Maybe they were following the older guys [last season]; I need them to step up and start being leaders,” Conroy explained. “I want them all to show me, ‘Hey, if we’re going to have success here, we’re going to need to do it.’ I expect them to take a big step this year.”
Understanding that this is a rebuilding season, Conroy chose not to give any predictions regarding wins and losses. Instead, the focus will be on which of the Flames’ young players can take advantage of the opportunities coming their way and prove they are ready to be part of the team’s next competitive core.