On paper, this should have been easy.

The Flames have plenty of cap space and are hungry for young, talented players. Connor Zary is a 23-year-old restricted free agent without arbitration rights. Training camp opens in a few weeks, pre-season games start Sept. 21 and, yet, there’s still no deal.

So, why has something that looked straightforward turned into a waiting game?

AN INTRIGUING PLAYER, AN UNCERTAIN ROLE

Zary, Calgary’s first-round pick in 2020, isn’t a household name yet, but he matters.

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The Flames finished 29th in the NHL in scoring last season and Zary brings something the roster lacks: Creativity and offensive touch.

He’s one of the few current Flames forwards capable of executing highlight-reel plays. Flashes of

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