Calgary Flames 2025 Prospects Rankings: #8 Aydar Suniev

Suniev and his development so far

Suniev has shown great progression from year to year since being drafted. In his draft season, Suniev dominated the BCHL with the Penticton Vees. With 45 goals and 45 assists for 90 points, he placed third in league scoring, behind only his teammates, the Nadeau brothers. While the performance was fantastic, the BCHL isn’t the strongest league. So, many were interested to see how Suniev would perform in the NCAA.

Committing to the University of Massachusetts, 2023–24 was a season where Suniev had to be ready to make big steps. Playing high in the UMass lineup, Suniev scored 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 36 games. The production wasn’t anything super special, but it was still a step in the right direction. He showed that his scoring skills were still a weapon at a higher level, and his struggles—such as his skating—didn’t look like as big of an issue.

Then came this past season, which was by far the best of Suniev’s career. With more progression and a higher role, Suniev’s development took huge steps. In 35 games, he jumped to 38 points with 20 goals and 18 assists. One less game, eight more goals, and five more assists. During the NCAA Division 1 tournament, UMass and Suniev upset the University of Minnesota, with Suniev scoring the overtime winner. In the quarterfinals, they would unfortunately lose to Western Michigan, who would go on to win the Frozen Four Championship.

With UMass eliminated, Suniev signed his ELC with the Flames in early April. Suniev would soak in the NHL experience from the press box until the very last game of the year. In his NHL debut, Suniev wouldn’t score any points. However, he still looked comfortable on NHL ice and was clearly pro-ready for the upcoming season.

Suniev’s strengths

Shot

Ever since he entered the Flames organization, the one thing about Suniev that has always stood out to me the most is his shot. Suniev can absolutely laser a puck. Whether it be a settled and strong wrist shot or a perfectly placed and timed one-timer, Suniev knows how to find the back of the net.

It’s such an impressive quality alone that it’s why I think I am very comfortable in saying that Suniev will be an NHLer. Craig Conroy even compared it to Matt Coronato’s shot, who pretty easily has the best shot on the team. Everything you want in a goal-scorer, Suniev brings to the table, and that makes him a promising prospect.

Intelligence

Suniev is a pretty smart hockey player. While it’s more of a complementary trait to his game, Suniev definitely benefits from being one of the smarter players on the ice. He knows how to get into proper position, whether to receive the puck or dish it out. It is part of the reason why he’s such a strong goal-scorer; he can make space to get the puck off. Suniev doesn’t tend to force or rush plays and can understand when to make the play he wants.

Puck skills

The other skill that most people point towards when talking Suniev is his puck skills. His playmaking can arguably be seen as just as good as his shooting. Suniev is very good at scanning the ice and finding options to create opportunities for his team. His hands are quite smooth and allow him to move around the zone or make a highlight reel play.

With his size, his puck protection might be the best of his puck skills. It seems to be incredibly hard to knock Suniev off the puck, making him a weapon in tight. From intelligent passes to strong drives to the net, Suniev with the puck makes him projectable for the pro level.

Physicality

At 6’2″ and pretty much 200lbs, Suniev is bound to have some good physicality. Suniev’s physical game gives him that style that makes him closer to a power forward than a playmaker or strict goal-scorer. He engages in battles along the boards, often using his edge to win those battles. His size allows him to enter the dirty areas with no fear, and you can see him waiting around the net from time to time. Suniev will throw hits and let his presence be known.

Suniev’s weaknesses

Skating

From year to year, Suniev’s only weakness remains his skating. That’s not to say that it hasn’t seen improvements because it definitely has. With his production rising in his second NCAA season, there’s more faith that Suniev can make all his other skills outwork his skating.

The issues that stand out with Suniev are his explosiveness and lack of agility. He’s not super slow, but he takes a lot of time to reach his top speed due to a sluggish stride, which causes him to never really create space between himself and opponents. Sharp turns aren’t really in Suniev’s toolbox, which restricts him to being a straight line skater and removes some of the dynamism he could have if he had better agility.

With Suniev continuing to improve, my doubts that he may not pan out due to his skating are becoming less and less. Even more promising is that Suniev himself has acknowledged these as issues and is focusing on improving them.

Suniev’s next steps

Suniev’s NCAA career is over, and now it’s time for him to become a professional hockey player. His first step is at training camp and the preseason, with the goal of making the Flames. Regardless of where he ends up, the AHL or NHL will be great for his development.

I’m expecting Suniev to spend a year in the AHL with the Calgary Wranglers, getting some stints in the NHL. By 2026–27, I think we’ll see Suniev as a full-time NHLer. However, Suniev does rub me as the type of player to surprise and make the team out of camp.

Suniev is a prospect that is difficult not to like. He brings amazing goal-scoring habits with great playmaking ability. His size and physicality allow him to be a power forward who presents strong intelligence in the sport. While his skating is choppy, he continues to show development in that area.

Overall, the progression that Suniev has had through his career so far is very promising. His playstyle is one that usually finds success at the NHL level. This next season will be about refining his game at a professional level and continuing to take steps in a positive direction. At this point in time, I believe there is little doubt that Suniev can be a good piece for the Flames for years to come.