Calgary Flames’ Aydar Suniev might be legit

With the Calgary Flames’ preseason nearing the homestretch, there have been multiple standouts from training camp. One of those camp standouts was Aydar Suniev. Suniev, who made his NHL debut on April 17 against the Los Angeles Kings alongside three other rookies, showed why he deserves to be recognized as one of the Flames’ top forward prospects.

From the Next Gen Showcase games to the preseason, the 20-year-old Russian winger has looked great. Today, we go into what made Suniev stand out and why there should be a ton of excitement around the third-round pick.

High-level shot

The first of his strengths is his shot. While Suniev may be a power forward, he can let the puck rip. On multiple occasions, we have seen glimpses of the shot and just how good it really is. It doesn’t matter how the puck ends up on his stick; there is a very good chance that it is going to end up in the back of the net.

At every level, from the BCHL to the NCAA, to his (extremely) short time in the NHL so far, Suniev has been a pure goal scorer. We have seen his shot compared to that of Matt Coronato. As Flames fans know, Coronato is one of the premier goal scorers in the entire NHL. During training camp, Suniev has lasered the puck multiple times and shown that he can add offence to an organization that desperately needs some at the pro ranks.

Strength

Secondly, Suniev’s strength has given him an edge up at camp. At 6’2″, 200 lbs, he is someone who isn’t afraid to get in the corners or in a puck battle. His size and strength give him a much more well-rounded game than most. Many prospects are primarily one archetype. Most are a playmaker or a goal scorer, whereas Suniev is a bit of a unicorn.

When you watch him play, you see him never give up on a puck battle and not be afraid to get into the dirty areas of the ice. If you dare to get in his way, he will also make you feel it, laying a bone-crushing hit. You can also see him drive the net, both with and without the puck. The winger gets into areas where he is primed for a Grade A chance. Suniev also uses his strength to make it much more difficult for him to be knocked off the puck.

Intelligence

Lastly, his intelligence of the game and his hockey IQ are head and shoulders above others at his age. As previously mentioned, he drives to the open areas of the ice, anticipating where the puck will be. Suniev also sees where there is open ice, thereby creating a better goal-scoring opportunity. He finds both passing and shooting lanes while keeping his head on a swivel. He sees plays before anyone else, it seems most of the time, which is when we see him make a highlight-reel play or just a smart play that leads to a goal.

When will Suniev be ready for the big leagues?

Although he had a strong camp, it’s clear the Flames think there is some more time needed for Suniev’s development after sending him down to the AHL earlier this week. Some may see him as still a work in progress and not being able to handle the NHL level just quite yet. However, the way that I see it is that the Flames are struggling. Last season, they were one of the worst teams in the offensive zone. Suniev brings that offensive play that the Flames needed last season, and could be an early call-up this season in the event of an injury.

Even though he didn’t make the final roster this time around, Suniev showed everyone that he belongs at the pro level and should be considered one of the Flames’ top young offensive talents. It will be fun to watch his progression as he plays a key role with the Wranglers this season.