Connor Zary is still stuck with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, and teams interested in the Flames forward want to send salary back.
David Pagnotta said on Daily Faceoff LIVE that Zary's $3,775,000 cap hit for the next two years is “the reason why he wasn't plucked” off waivers.
Calgary waived him on October 5. He cleared the next day and was assigned to the AHL.
Some teams without full cap flexibility have told the Flames they like him but have “got to send something back.” It doesn't have to be an even swap.
They just need “to make the money work in some capacity.” Those comments came earlier this month, and no trade has been reported since.
Elliotte Friedman also reported the contract is why he went unclaimed, with Calgary still working the phones.
The 25-year-old has a goal and four assists through six AHL games. He also got into two NHL games for the Flames this season, picking up an assist.
Craig Conroy has the cap room to take money back on Zary
Calgary is carrying a $2,550,000 cap penalty while he's in the minors. Only $1,225,000 of his hit can be buried.
The Flames had just over $14.35 million in space when they waived him. That number now sits at $15.4 million.
That's the leverage. Conroy can absorb salary without blinking, so the real question is what he's willing to take.
Back in June, Darren Dreger reported Calgary wanted a second-round pick. Now, Pagnotta says, teams want to “ease up the money a tiny bit, rather than getting them for free.”
Zary's market has turned into a garage sale where buyers love the bike, but only if you'll haul their old treadmill away too.
The Flames need the help. They're 3-6-0 and allowing 4.2 goals per game, even after two straight wins.
Scoring's a problem as well at 2.1 goals per game. Morgan Frost, Matthew Coronato and Joel Farabee share the forward lead with six points each.
Calgary should take the bad contract and move on. A former first-round pick sitting in the AHL while the big club can't score helps nobody.
Detroit visits Saturday and Toronto comes in Monday. Every loss while he rides the AHL bus makes Conroy's patience look a little more expensive.
Should the Flames take a bad contract back just to move Connor Zary?
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