Zayne Parekh, a 19-year-old defenseman, is poised to make a significant impact this season with the Calgary Flames. Due to the CHL–NHL transfer agreement, he is not eligible to play in the AHL unless he has completed four full junior seasons. This leaves him with two options: play for the Flames or return to the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL. As the Flames' ninth-overall pick in the 2024 draft, Parekh is expected to compete vigorously for a spot on the NHL roster.

Over the past two seasons, Parekh has demonstrated exceptional talent. He became the first OHL defenseman in over a decade to surpass 100 points in a season, finishing with 33 goals and 107 points while leading Saginaw to a Memorial Cup victory. However, it is uncommon for young defensemen to transition directly from junior hockey to the NHL and make an immediate impact.

To set realistic expectations for Parekh, it is useful to compare his pre-NHL profile with other notable Flames graduates and high-performing OHL defensemen from the past decade. Parekh's scoring average of 1.60 points per game ranks him third among recent Flames CHL products, trailing only forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett, both of whom made successful transitions to the NHL. In contrast, other Flames defensemen, such as Rasmus Andersson and Juuso Välimäki, have lower scoring averages.

Historically, Parekh's production places him in rare company among OHL defensemen. In the 2023-24 season, he recorded 96 points in 66 games, followed by 107 points in 61 games in 2024-25. No OHL defenseman has reached the 100-point mark since Ryan Ellis in 2010-11. Additionally, Parekh is the first OHL defenseman since Bobby Orr to score 30 or more goals in two consecutive seasons, a feat unmatched by other elite defensemen in the modern era.

When compared to other young NHL stars, it is evident that while some defensemen have successfully transitioned to the league, it is not the norm. Recent examples include Aaron Ekblad and Cale Makar, who both had strong rookie seasons. These players averaged over 21 minutes of ice time per game and typically began in second-pair roles. They also averaged around 45 points in their first seasons, with only a few exceeding 0.75 points per game.

For Parekh, a realistic projection for his rookie season is between 35 to 45 points, assuming he receives regular power-play time. If he exceeds 50 points, he would join the ranks of impactful young defensemen like Makar and Quinn Hughes. The Flames' current depth chart suggests there is room for Parekh in the top four rotation, especially considering that only a few players averaged more than 21 minutes of ice time last season.

While it is reasonable to expect Parekh to handle defensive responsibilities, it is important to note that not all players develop at the same pace. His historic junior performance does not guarantee immediate success in the NHL, but it does highlight his potential as a cornerstone talent for the Flames. As one of the most exciting prospects since Matthew Tkachuk, Parekh's offensive skills could see him quickly establish himself within Calgary's defensive lineup.