Contract negotiations between the Calgary Flames and restricted free agent Connor Zary have hit a standstill, raising questions about the lack of urgency to finalize a deal. Zary's ice time has noticeably decreased following the Flames' acquisitions of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost, complicating his situation further. Meanwhile, defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov is garnering attention as a potential target for the New York Rangers, should he enter free agency, as reports suggest he would favor a move to the Big Apple.

As the NHL draft approaches, teams like the Sharks are rumored to be considering various prospects, although some discussions have cooled. The Blackhawks appear set to retain their No. 3 overall pick despite trade inquiries from teams including the Rangers, Sabres, and Flyers. The Kings, holding the No. 24 pick, are also exploring trade options to secure an additional second-round pick.

The Calgary Flames are reportedly considering a bridge deal for Connor Zary, a pending restricted free agent (RFA) who recorded 27 points in 54 games last season, despite battling injuries. A potential three-year contract around $3 million could be in the works, similar to Alex Newhook's deal with the Montreal Canadiens. The Flames also need to address their other RFAs, Kevin Bahl and Morgan Frost, and may need to shift their strategies.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators face a challenging situation regarding their forfeited draft pick stemming from the Evgenii Dadonov trade mishap. They could either forfeit their 2025 or 2026 first-round pick, depending on NHL leniency. With a shortage of assets for offer sheets and a need for scoring support, potential free-agent targets include notable wingers such as Nikolaj Ehlers and Ryan Donato. The Senators are also evaluating whether to retain Claude Giroux, who may require a lucrative contract extension.

Recent updates from the NHL reveal significant injury news impacting various teams. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy returned to practice in a black jersey, marking a step toward recovery from his shoulder injury sustained in February. However, he still lacks a definitive return timeline. Meanwhile, Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary is currently week-to-week with a lower-body injury, adding to the team's challenges.

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin participated in morning skate, showing progress after hip surgery in December, while Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek is expected to start skating soon. In contrast, Florida Panthers' standout Matthew Tkachuk is further from a return after missing 16 games due to a lower-body injury, with expectations that he may miss the remainder of the regular season. The injury list extends to the Nashville Predators, with Colton Sissons likely out for the season, and the Philadelphia Flyers facing ongoing absences, including Rasmus Ristolainen.

Recent injury updates in the NHL highlight the uncertain status of key players across various teams. Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba left a game due to a lower-body injury, raising concerns for the Ducks' defensive lineup. Meanwhile, Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary has avoided a serious leg injury, providing some relief for the Flames as they assess his condition. Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov made a timely return from an upper-body injury, eager to shake off rust after missing several games. Coach Rod Brind’Amour noted that William Carrier continues to be sidelined, missing over 30 games with a lower-body issue. Additionally, the New Jersey Devils are watching Luke Hughes closely, who is day-to-day with an unspecified injury.

In other notable news, the Columbus Blue Jackets activated Cole Sillinger from IR, while the Edmonton Oilers face a potential setback with goaltender Stuart Skinner expected to miss time due to a head injury. Star forwards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are also out, testing the Oilers' depth. The Vancouver Canucks seem to be on the verge of parting ways with Brock Boeser, indicating potential changes as they look to rebuild. The Chicago Blackhawks provided an update on Alec Martinez, whose progress is steady but he remains unavailable due to an earlier injury. As teams navigate these injury challenges, the next games will be critical for many rosters.

The Calgary Flames fell short against the Dallas Stars, suffering a 5-2 defeat despite outshooting their opponents with over 106 shot attempts and more high-danger chances. The Flames had two goals disallowed, fueling frustration among players and the coaching staff. Nazem Kadri, who found the net twice, expressed disappointment over perceived injustices in officiating. Head coach Ryan Huska emphasized the need to focus on the positives as the Flames prepare for an important matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, needing to secure wins for a playoff push.