Flames’ Aydar Suniev Deserves an Opening-Night Roster Spot

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. 

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 5–1. 

First Professional Year

Like most players, unless they are generational talents, Suniev faced a learning curve in his first professional season with the Calgary Wranglers, the Flames’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. His offence — undoubtedly his best attribute — was not consistent during the first half of the season. 

It took him seven games to record his first point against the Abbotsford Canucks, a goal in a 3–0 win. He played well over the next two weeks, but then went pointless for eight games before scoring in three straight to end 2025. 

Following the cold streak, he wouldn’t 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’s 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.

Making His Name

Suniev has been one of the biggest positives, if not the biggest, throughout training camp and the Flames’ preseason so far. Last preseason, 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.

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 for his second goal of the night. 

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’s 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.

Suniev isn’t going to dominate the puck in the offensive zone; it’s 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’t earn his spot, his role with the Wranglers will entail more responsibility this season, and if trends continue, his call-up isn’t a matter of if but when.