Flames’ Connor Zary avoids major knee damage following hit by Ducks’ Drew Helleson

Following a collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson, initial imaging has determined that Calgary Flames center Connor Zary has suffered no ACL or MCL damage to his left knee, as confirmed by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

Seravalli adds that while the initial reporting is positive, the full extent of the injury and how long Zary could be out of the Calgary lineup is still to be determined.

The collision occurred midway through the second period of Tuesday’s contest between the Ducks and Flames. Zary did not return to the ice, while Helleson was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing.

Skating in his second with the Flames, Zary ranks third in team scoring with 22 points counting 10 goals and 12 assists coming in 40 contests. Originally chosen 24th overall by Calgary in the 2020 NHL Draft, Zary made his debut with the club a year ago where through 63 outings he finished with 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points.

The 23-year-old forward has also spent part of four seasons with the Flames’ AHL affiliate, where through 140 total appearances he scored 38 goals and added 62 assists for 100 points. A product of Saskatoon, Sask., Zary is a graduate of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers who has also represented his native Canada in international competition, underscored by a silver-medal finish at the 2021 World Junior Championship.

The Flames have not suited up since the contest against the Ducks as Wednesday’s showdown against the Los Angeles Kings was postponed due to the ongoing wildfires in Southern California. However, the Flames will soon see the Kings when they host the club Saturday in Calgary.

On the season, the Flames sit 19-14-7 and a single point back of the Pacific Division rival Vancouver Canucks for the second wildcard position in the Western Conference.