From Sept. 27-Oct. 6, Charlie Roumeliotis will profile one prospect per day — 10 total — leading up to the 2020 NHL Draft as the Blackhawks prepare to pick No. 17 overall.
Connor Zary
Position: Center
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Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 178 pounds
Shoots: Left
Scouting report:
NHL
"Connor Zary plays a good two-way game, has a good motor, likes to play fast." — Blackhawks Vice President of Amateur Scouting Mark Kelley
"A two-way skater who possesses patience with the puck. He was tied for fifth in the WHL with 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists), tied for third with 15 power-play goals and tied for fourth with three shorthanded goals in 57 games." — Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com
"Remarkably consistent performer in all three zones. Never had a stretch of more than one game where he went pointless." — Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet
Fit for Blackhawks:
Zary isn't the flashiest player, but he plays a consistent 200-foot game and on both sides of special teams and coaches appreciate players they can throw out in any situation.
The Blackhawks have three dependable centers in Kirby Dach, Dylan Strome and Jonathan Toews, but they're still sorting out the depth chart moving forward so that shouldn't prevent the team from picking a guy like Zary if they feel he's the best available player at No. 17.