CALGARY – Early in the second period of the Calgary Flames’ latest loss, the debate over what to do with Zayne Parekh was put to rest.
For now, anyway.
It didn’t happen with an offensive breakthrough, or a stellar defensive outing.
It happened with an awkward hit by Chicago captain Nick Foligno that ended the youngster’s evening, and will sideline him for an undetermined amount of time.
Caught off guard while trying to keep a rimmed puck in the Blackhawks zone a few feet from the boards Friday, the rookie defenceman was hit hard into the wall and immediately slumped in discomfort as he skated to the bench.
Wincing as he and the trainer seemed to be checking his collarbone, he then left the bench for further examination, followed by confirmation from the team his night was over, due to an upper-body ailment.
“He’s going to miss a little bit of time,” said coach Ryan Huska after the Flames’ 4-0 loss to the Blackhawks.
“I don’t know the extent of it yet, but we’ll find out some more tomorrow.”
The hit was clean, and injuries happen.
No one is to blame.
That said, for a player who is not ready for the rigours of the NHL, it’s another example of the CBA letting Parekh down.
He belongs in the AHL, but the rules won’t allow him to play there at 19 this season.
Given how many times the 19-year-old has been rocked so far this season, what comes to mind is a recent conversation with a Flames management type who said, “you don’t want the kid to get killed out there.”
Parekh deserves credit for standing in and taking a handful of big checks this season with an eye on making a play.
However, unlike in junior when he can bounce off, or much more easily avoid boys his age, Parekh is now swimming with sharks in the NHL, where he has been the recipient of several big hits he hasn’t always been prepared for.
“He has,” agreed Huska when asked about Parekh taking hits.
“I think it’s probably getting used to speed a little bit too, that guys close quite a bit quicker than what he’s used to. And then understanding how to put your body into a different position so you’re not taking such heavy hits.
“I think that’s something he’s going to be learning along the way here. Unfortunately, he took a pretty good one tonight from a heavier player.”
Listed at six-feet tall and 179 pounds, Parekh did well to add muscle in the off-season.
However, he still has to work much harder at ensuring his undersized frame isn’t put in harm’s way as often as it has been.
Foligno is 210 pounds, and laid all of it into Parekh on the play.
It could easily have been innocuous, something he shook off.
Unfortunately, something didn’t feel right, and he knew it right away.
This, in part, is what Huska and GM Craig Conroy mean when they talk about trying their best to ensure young players like Parekh are put in a position to succeed.
It means trying to protect players from all sorts of things by easing them in as much as possible, as the Flames have.
But when the puck drops, nobody can be bubble wrapped.
No one is exempt from the ruggedness of the game.
The injury will only serve to add to the ongoing debate over how Parekh’s been used, and how he’ll be used moving forward.
An extended absence could put in jeopardy his chance to attend the world junior championship in December, which stands as his best opportunity to play meaningful minutes in meaningful games, with an eye on building back his confidence.
It’s yet another tough setback for the ninth pick overall in 2024, and the Flames’ top prospect.
We’ll see what Saturday’s injury update brings, but you can bet he won’t be joining the lads for their charter flight to Minnesota after Saturday’s practice.
Earlier in the week, the coach was talking about how all the early adversity and scrutiny Parekh has faced a month into his first full NHL season will eventually serve him well.
With the latest development, it’s got to be particularly tough for the young man to see it that way right now.
