After being a spectator for a couple games, the Calgary Flames’ most promising prospect is expected to play in his 10th game of the 2025-26 season on Sunday night, reaching a critical contractual milestone. Per a report from Sportsnet’s Derek Wills, defenceman Zayne Parekh is expected to dress for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Parekh playing in 10 games this season is important because it means that 2025-26 becomes locked-in as the first season of his entry-level deal, which will now expire following the 2027-28 season with Parekh as a restricted free agent. First, some background. Parekh was selected ninth overall by the Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft. Since he was drafted from the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit, part of the Canadian Hockey League, he’s not eligible to play full-time in the American Hockey League until his 20-year-old season, 2026-27. Parekh signed his entry-level contract with the Flames when he was 18 years old, which allows his contract to “slide” for up to two sea
