Aydar Suniev

September 2026 – Suniev appeared in six NHL games for Calgary in late-season garbage-time deployment – one assist and an average of 11:37 of ice time, with some power play usage. His AHL campaign with the Wranglers told a more complicated story: 16 goals and 24 points in 57 games is a decent pace for an AHL rookie, but he was among the worst defensive forwards on the team by most accounts – a significant concern for a player whose potential NHL role will require responsible two-way play. The offensive tools that defined his time at UMass – a deadly release, smart positioning, strong puck protection – remain his foundation. The skating that has always been his most significant limitation continues to be the variable that will determine his ceiling, and he will have time to work on it with another full season in the AHL. Ryan Downey

September 2025 – Suniev finished his college career at U Mass this last season, putting up 20 goals, totalling 38 points in 35 games, topping his previous year of 12 goals and 38 points in 36 games. Suniev’s game took a jump statistically and on the eye test, being a dominant force out for UMass, who lost in the regional final to the eventual winners of the Frozen Four, Western Michigan. After his collegiate season ended late March, he signed his ELC with the Flames on April 2nd, 2025. Suniev made his NHL debut against the LA Kings on April 17th, 2025. He played well in his debut, posting a plus-2 rating with 14:48 of ice time. His 2025/26 campaign projects him to play most of his time with the AHL Wranglers, with the possibility of being that first call-up forward for the Flames’ NHL roster this season. Roko Stopic

April 2025 – The Calgary Flames signed Suniev to a three-year, entry-level contract. In 2024 -25, Suniev played 35 games for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was second in team scoring with 38 points (20 goals and 18 assists). Mark Henry

June 2023 – Suniev was selected 80th overall by the Flames. Pat Quinn

April 2023 – While Bradly Nadeau has gotten the majority of the focus as a 2023 draft-eligible out of the historically dominant 2022-23 Penticton Vees team, his teammate, Aydar Suniev, is equally intriguing as a prospect, if not more so. Suniev’s skating is… poor. It is in contention for the worst in the 2023 draft class (among top-100 talents) with Matthew Wood. His stride is extremely wide, choppy, and inefficient, presenting the biggest hurdle in his development. Suniev has developed various adaptive skills to compensate for his poor skating. He is tenacious all over the ice, which makes him a powerful puck carrier, pestering forechecker, and a defensively engaged winger. His off-puck habits are very strong. He’s a strong back checker, is consistently well-positioned, finds space offensively, and attacks the slot and middle lane offensively. He is an intelligent player who leverages his brain to create advantages. Just how translatable this will be as he makes a big jump in competition remains a bit of a question. If his development were up to me, I would glue him to a high-end skating coach and give him a few years. His foundation of awareness, sound habits and positioning, deadly release, excellent puck protection mechanics, and consistent work rate is a solid one to build on. He has an identity as a player, and I can see what type of middle-six player he could become with significant skating improvement. Sebastian High