Could Winnipeg Consider Adding Former First Round Pick Off Waivers?

Zary, a former 24th overall pick back in 2020, carries a modest $3.775 million cap hit this season and next. Any team that claims him would get a forward with a track record of NHL production for nothing but the cost of his contract.

One team that could take a look is the Winnipeg Jets as the team's prospect pipeline is not deep, and the club could use help up front. The Jets struggled to score last season, finishing with the eighth-worst offense in the NHL at 2.79 goals per game.

The bottom of Winnipeg 's lineup is made up of older veterans like Vladislav Namestnikov, Nino Niederreiter and Alex Iafallo. Adding a younger player like Zary offers higher upside and could give the Jets a new look in their bottom six. Zary has spent his entire career with Calgary since being drafted in 2020, and a first change of scenery could be a chance to make the most of a fresh opportunity.