CALGARY – Early in the second period Calgary Flames' latest loss, debate about what to do with Zain Parekh was put to rest.
This did not happen due to an offensive breakthrough or a brilliant defensive attack.
It came after an awkward hit by Chicago captain Nick Foligno that ended the youngster's night and sidelined him indefinitely.
Caught off guard while trying to keep the puck in the Blackhawks' zone a few feet off the boards on Friday, the rookie defenseman hit the wall hard and immediately collapsed in discomfort as he rolled toward the bench.
Wincing as he and a trainer appeared to check his collarbone, he then left the bench for further assessment before the team confirmed his night was over with an upper-body ailment.
“He's going to miss a little time,” coach Ryan Huska said after the Flames' 4-0 loss to the Blackhawks.
“I don't know the extent of it yet, but we'll know more tomorrow.”
The blow was clean, injuries happen.
However, for a player who is not prepared for the rigors of the NHL, this is yet another example of how the CBA failed Parekh.
He belongs to the AHL, but rules prevent him from playing there at age 19 this season.
Considering how many times the 19-year-old has been dealt a blow this season, what comes to mind is a recent conversation with a Flames manager who said, “You don’t want that guy getting killed out there.”
Parekh deserves credit for sticking it out and getting some big checks this season with an eye on the game.
However, unlike in juniors, when he could rebound or avoid boys his age much more easily, Parekh is now swimming with the sharks in the NHL, where he has taken some big hits that he wasn't always prepared for.
“Yes,” Huska agreed when asked about Parekh getting hit.
“I think he's probably getting used to the speed a little bit too, guys closing a little faster than he's used to, and then understanding how to put his body in a different position so he doesn't take as many hits.
“I think that's something he'll learn on the way here. Unfortunately, he learned a pretty good lesson from a heavier player tonight.”
Standing at six feet tall and weighing 179 pounds, Parekh has done well to add muscle in the offseason.
However, he still has to work much harder to ensure that his short body is not exposed to danger as often as it was before.
Foligno weighs 210 pounds, and he put all that weight into Parekh on the play.
It could very well have been harmless, which he brushed off.
Unfortunately, something was wrong, and he knew it immediately.
That's partly what Houska and general manager Craig Conroy mean when they talk about doing everything they can to ensure young players like Parekh are positioned to succeed.
That means trying to protect players from all sorts of things while making their lives as easy as possible, just like the Flames did.
But when the puck drops, no one can be wrapped in bubble wrap.
No one is immune to the rigors of the game.
The injury will only add to the ongoing debate about how Parekh was used and how he will be used in the future.
An extended absence could jeopardize his chance of competing at the World Junior Championships in December, which gives him his best opportunity to play meaningful minutes in big games as he looks to regain his confidence.
It's another tough setback for the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft and the Flames' top prospect.
We'll see what Saturday's injury news brings, but it's a good bet he won't be joining the guys on their charter flight to Minnesota after Saturday's practice.
Earlier this week, the coach talked about how all the adversity and scrutiny Parekh faced early in his first full NHL season will ultimately serve him well.
Given recent events, it is especially difficult for a young person to see it this way now.
