It was not a good week for Calgary Flames hockey. Even for those firmly on team tank, myself included, Flames top youngster Zayne Parekh was injured in Friday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, and will be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Unfortunately, this really makes the tank less fun to watch, as one of the best parts of watching a terrible but young team is the development of future franchise cornerstones. Because Parekh hasn’t adjusted fully to the NHL right out of the gate, this opens up a world of possibilities on what the Flames will do with Parekh when he’s ready to return.

Here’s the most likely, and smartest, scenario.

Team Canada World Junior Team

Last season, the Canadian World Junior selection camp opened on December 10, 2023. Parekh was ridiculously not named to the team, and Canada predictably lost in spectacular fashion. This season, that won’t happen again. Canada wants Parekh and the Flames are the decision makers on whether he’ll get the chance to join the team.

Due to this injury, the timing looks like it might work out seamlessly for Parekh to rehab his injury, get back into semi-game shape, and then be loaned to the WJC team.

December 10, 2025 is almost exactly four weeks away. For a week-to-week injury, this would give Parekh a few weeks to recover, then get back into shape, and then head to the selection camp.

AHL Conditioning Stint

Following the WJC, the Flames will have two options for Parekh. The first option is sending him back to the OHL, something we’ve discussed at length and an option the Flames will not be exercising.

The second option, which is what will happen, is Parekh rejoins the Flames in the NHL.

However, there is a wrinkle here. Because Parekh will have been away from NHL action for a long period of time, he should be eligible for an AHL conditioning stint.

This is a provision in the CBA designed to allow players to stay in professional condition if they have been out of the lineup for a long time. While Parekh would have just played a very high-level tournament, there is a very real justification for allowing him an AHL conditioning stint.

The pace of play, size of players, and quality of competition at the WJC is nowhere close to professional hockey in the best league in the world, so arguing that Parekh requires a conditioning stint makes sense.

I think it’s safe to assume this request would be granted, and Parekh would agree to the assignment.

Back to the Flames in the NHL

Following the conditioning sting, Parekh would be required to rejoin the Flames. At this point, he will have been given sufficient time to recover from his injury, play in a high level tournament representing his country and playing a key role on that team, and then easing back into professional hockey by starting in the AHL.

It’s a plan that puts Parekh in the best position to succeed, which is the number one priority right now.

The timeline

November 9 – December 10: Parekh rehabs from injury

December 10 – December 20 (approximately): Canada’s WJC selection camp/training camp

December 26 – January 5: 2026 WJC tournament in Minnesota

January 6: Rejoin Flames in the NHL (Flames have a back-to-back road trip in Montreal and Boston on January 7 and January 8)

January 10: Assigned to AHL Calgary Wranglers for 14-day conditioning stint

January 10-23: AHL conditioning stint (Parekh plays four AHL games over this period)

January 24: Rejoins Flames in the NHL

Maximizing development

At the end of the day, the Flames need to maximize Parekh’s development. I believe this plan does that.

What do you think of Parekh’s play and the play to get him back? Let us know in the comments or on social media.

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