Calgary Flames forward prospect Aydar Suniev scored two goals in a 4-2 pre-season loss to the Seattle Kraken at the Dome, according to post-game comments from team personnel. Selected in the third round of the 2023 NHL draft, the 20-year-old Russian forward is competing for an opening on the major league roster to help address the franchise’s ongoing scoring needs, as reported by team coverage.
Aydar Suniev Makes Strong Bid for Roster Spot with Pre-Season Multi-Goal Performance
Aydar Suniev enhanced his chances of securing an NHL roster spot by scoring twice against the Seattle Kraken, according to game recaps. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound forward converted a pass from Sam Honzek to beat goaltender Philipp Grubauer along the ice, later adding a second marker by rifling a shot past netminder Nikke Kokko. “I was working on my shot all summer and I’m glad it’s paying off,” Suniev stated after the match.
Flames head coach Ryan Huska noted the player’s continuous trajectory. “Every year that Suni has come back there’s been a lot of growth in his game,” Huska said. Suniev previously scored 45 goals and 90 points in 50 games with the Penticton Vees before playing two years at UMass-Amherst and spending last season with the Wranglers, where he registered 16 goals.
Injury Recovery and On-Ice Chemistry Highlight Early Camp Standouts
A 2023 first-round draft selection returned to game action following a lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the final five months of the previous campaign, according to team reports. Skating alongside Suniev, the 6-foot-4, 186-pound lefty delivered a physical opening hit and registered a brilliant interception to set up Suniev’s first goal. Coach Huska observed that the player appeared as though he “hadn’t missed a year,” adding that his combination of size and speed brings a vital element to the lineup.
Meanwhile, defensive prospect Zayne Parekh anchored the first power-play unit alongside Yan Kuznetsov, accumulating 10 shot attempts during the contest. Parekh demonstrated high engagement levels throughout the evening, quarterbacking a crisp 4-on-3 passing sequence that featured Suniev, Matvei Gridin, and Rory Kerins, which ended when Suniev hit the goalpost.
Roster Battles and Special Teams Depth Take Shape
A player referred to by the team as Brew operated on the second power-play unit alongside a young group of skaters. After playing 34 games with the Flames and 34 with the Wranglers last season, the 21-year-old focused on improving his skating over the summer, a change acknowledged by the coaching staff.
In other roster developments, a 23-year-old winger who recently signed a one-year restricted free agent contract made an immediate physical impact before being ejected for an elbowing major following a collision with defenceman Ville Ottavainen. “For the short time he was in the game, he had an impact,” Huska noted regarding the forward’s early crossbar shot and subsequent major penalty.
Did you know? Aydar Suniev was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft following a dominant junior season with the Penticton Vees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Aydar Suniev score in the pre-season opener?
Aydar Suniev scored two goals against the Seattle Kraken, adding to a goal he previously scored in the team’s prospects game.
What team did Aydar Suniev play for before joining the Calgary Flames organization?
Suniev played two seasons at UMass-Amherst and spent last season with the Wranglers, following a standout junior career with the Penticton Vees.
Which player returned from shoulder surgery during the pre-season game?
Calgary’s 2023 first-round draft pick returned to the lineup after missing the final five months of the previous season due to shoulder surgery.
What are your expectations for Aydar Suniev and the Flames’ young prospects this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below, explore our latest hockey analysis articles, and subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing coverage.