{"id":668766,"date":"2026-09-22T17:03:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/668766\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T17:03:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:03:15","slug":"calgary-flames-aydar-suniev-deserves-an-opening-night-roster-spot-the-hockey-writers-flames-prospects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/668766\/","title":{"rendered":"Calgary Flames’ Aydar Suniev Deserves an Opening-Night Roster Spot – The Hockey Writers – Flames Prospects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aydar Suniev<\/a> is making his case to earn a spot on the Calgary Flames\u2019\u00a0opening-night roster after another strong showing in a preseason matchup vs. the Seattle Kraken on Sept. 20.<\/p>\n

Suniev was the only Calgary player to score during the Flames\u2019 lone prospect game last Monday<\/a>, a 6\u20131 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. His goal showed exactly why he was drafted: he controlled a bouncing puck in tight on Oilers goaltender Samuel Jonsson and roofed it blocker side halfway through the third.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Against the Kraken on Sunday, Suniev was again Calgary\u2019s only scorer, picking up two goals on four shots in 15:24 of ice time. Following the game, head coach Ryan Huska credited<\/a> Suniev\u2019s performance. \u201cHe can shoot a puck. We know that. When he gets opportunities, it\u2019s nice to see him have success. Three goals so far; he\u2019s got all three,\u201d Huska said. <\/p>\n

Suniev\u2019s Path to Calgary<\/p>\n

Suniev, who hails from Kazan, Russia, continued his minor hockey career in Canada to further his development, leaving the CSKA Moscow youth program. From there, he jumped between various prep school programs before spending half of 2021-22 and the full 2022-23 season with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). In his lone full season, he tied for the league lead in goals<\/a> with Vees teammate (and Carolina Hurricanes prospect) Bradly Nadeau<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"AydarCalgary Flames left wing Aydar Suniev (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Suniev has shown substantial progression year-over-year. From his first to second season with the Vees, he improved from a 1.18 points-per-game pace to 1.8. He again improved between his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of Massachusetts, going from 0.69 points per game to 1.08.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the end of his breakout sophomore season, Suniev signed his entry-level contract with the Flames, forgoing his last two years of college eligibility and making his NHL debut on April 17, 2025, as Calgary beat the LA Kings 5\u20131.\u00a0<\/p>\n

First Professional Year<\/p>\n

Like most players, unless they are generational talents, Suniev faced a learning curve in his first professional season with the Calgary Wranglers, the Flames\u2019 American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. His offence \u2014 undoubtedly his best attribute \u2014 was not consistent during the first half of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It took him seven games to record his first point against the Abbotsford Canucks, a goal in a 3\u20130 win. He played well over the next two weeks, but then went pointless for eight games before scoring in three straight to end 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following the cold streak, he wouldn\u2019t go longer than four games without a point for the rest of the season and finished with a call-up to the Flames. Suniev recorded his first NHL point, a primary assist on Brayden Pachal\u2019s goal vs. the Utah Mammoth, on April 12. However, his first season was productive overall, with 16 goals and 24 points in 56 AHL games, but his off-puck work still needs improvement, as he sometimes struggled to find open space to utilize his lethal shot. <\/p>\n

Making His Name<\/p>\n

Suniev has been one of the biggest positives, if not the biggest, throughout training camp and the Flames\u2019 preseason so far. Last preseason<\/a>, he did not even register a shot on net and struggled to establish a presence on the ice, which led to his struggles to start the campaign.<\/p>\n

Now he looks more comfortable with the faster pace, which will only continue to improve with more opportunities. His speed was on display throughout the game vs. the Kraken, and he used it to burn a Seattle defender at the blue line before scoring on a snap shot<\/a> for his second goal of the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His off-puck movement has raised questions, but on his first goal of the night following a turnover in the offensive zone, he quickly rolled off the boards and opened up in the slot for a quick catch-and-release wrist shot. Suniev\u2019s ability to adapt quickly is promising, but he needs to take a big step this season with many top prospects coming up the ranks behind him. <\/p>\n

Suniev isn\u2019t going to dominate the puck in the offensive zone; it\u2019s just not his game, but he is an elite goal scorer with an NHL-level shot. If he does earn a spot on the opening-night roster, who he plays with will impact whether he stays or not. Even if he doesn\u2019t earn his spot, his role with the Wranglers will entail more responsibility this season, and if trends continue, his call-up isn\u2019t a matter of if but when.<\/p>\n

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