Canucks have waiver priority until Nov. 1 after Flames place Connor Zary on waivers

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The Vancouver Canucks retain top priority on the waiver wire until Nov. 1, giving them first opportunity to claim any player placed on waivers during that period.

Calgary placed Connor Zary on waivers on Monday. The 25-year-old forward was the 24th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Zary has played 117 NHL games, recording 27 goals and 61 points. The evidence indicates he scored at about half a point per game in his first couple of NHL seasons, but knee injuries have affected his dynamism.

In 2025-26, Zary did not appear to be the same player as earlier seasons, and he was limited to two games early in the current season before being scratched and waived.

The evidence also describes Zary as a decent two-way contributor, with a “lack of footspeed and size” cited as concerns, while credit is given for a “good motor” and willingness to play through contact.

Zary has said he prefers not to be held back, telling reporters, “When you have younger guys with talent and skill, you don’t want to hold them back… You want them to go out there — at the end of the day, who gives a sh*t if they go out there and make a mistake? It’s going to happen.” The evidence states he was speaking about rookie defenceman Zayne Parekh.

The Flames also reportedly attempted to trade Zary during the offseason, and the evidence says Zary bounced between lines last season, rarely getting a chance to develop consistent chemistry with his linemates.

The evidence says claiming Zary would require Vancouver to make a roster move, particularly with Filip Chytil out with an injury. It also notes Zary’s cap hit is $3.775 million through next season.

Vancouver general manager Ryan Johnson previously said, “People that know me know I like size, I like speed, I like character,” and also discussed a preference for “leadership,” adding, “It’s no secret that a lot of guys that I brought in… if you look at it, I bet you 80 per cent of them were captains somewhere. I always check: have they worn a letter on their jersey?”

The evidence says Zary was captain of the Kamloops Blazers in his final WHL season and was praised for leadership following his 2020 NHL Draft selection. It also describes him as a natural centre who has mostly played on the wing for Calgary.