NHL waivers feature a former first round pick and a hot commodity that's likely to be claimed

Connor Zary is on waivers, and Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska now faces a real possibility of losing the young forward for nothing.

The Flames placed Zary on waivers Monday, opening a 24-hour window for every other NHL club to submit a claim.

It's a striking turn for a player Calgary selected 24th overall. Zary once carried clear top-six upside inside the organization, making this far more than a routine roster transaction.

Any team with interest now gets a chance to add him without surrendering a draft pick, prospect or roster player. That alone should make Zary one of the more intriguing names on the waiver wire.

"Connor Zary is goneeee. I'd be shocked if he wasn't claimed"

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For Calgary, the risk is obvious. If another club claims Zary, his time with the Flames ends immediately and the organization receives no return.

The move also points directly toward Calgary's roster math. Craig Conroy and Huska have chosen to expose Zary rather than protect his spot, a clear signal about where he currently stands.

"Calgary has placed Connor Zary and Brayden Pachal on waivers."

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Connor Zary could attract immediate interest

Zary still carries the profile that can tempt another front office. Former first-round picks with NHL experience rarely reach waivers while they're still young enough to offer developmental upside.

A claiming club wouldn't need to build a trade package or enter a long negotiation. It can simply put in the claim and hope waiver priority does the rest.

That creates pressure on Calgary during the next 24 hours. Once Zary was submitted, the Flames surrendered control over whether he stays in the organization.

The decision is especially notable because this isn't a veteran being squeezed out at the end of a contract. Zary was once viewed as part of Calgary's younger core and a player capable of pushing for meaningful offensive minutes.

Now his future could depend on how the rest of the league evaluates that upside compared with the roster spot required to claim him.

If Zary clears, Calgary gains flexibility and can proceed with its plan. If he doesn't, the Flames will have watched a former 24th overall selection walk to another NHL club without receiving an asset back.

That makes Tuesday's waiver deadline worth watching closely. Zary is available, the price is zero in trade assets, and 31 other front offices now get their chance.

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