Nov 5, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; The Calagary Flames celebrate the win against the Montreal Canadiens during the overtime period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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Calgary Flames Secure Young Talent: Aydar Suniev Signs Three-Year Contract

Calgary Flames lock in promising forward Aydar Suniev on a three-year entry-level deal, adding depth and skill to their future roster.

Nov 5, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; The Calagary Flames celebrate the win against the Montreal Canadiens during the overtime period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The Calgary Flames have officially signed Aydar Suniev, their 2023 third-round draft pick, to a three-year entry-level contract. This move confirms earlier reports from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, with Sportsnet 960’s Pat Steinberg providing additional details. Suniev will now begin his professional career, leaving behind his time at the University of Massachusetts after completing his sophomore season. Interestingly, his signing comes just moments after his UMass teammate, Cole O’Hara, secured his entry-level deal with the Nashville Predators.

Suniev had an impressive second season in college hockey, proving himself as a key offensive contributor. He tallied 20 goals and 38 points in 35 games, building on his solid freshman year where he scored 12 goals and registered 35 points in 36 games. This season, he finished as the second-highest scorer for the UMass Minutemen, just behind O’Hara, who led the team with 51 points. While Suniev had already showcased offensive potential in his first season, his development this year has been even more promising. His confidence with the puck has grown significantly, allowing him to not only generate scoring opportunities from the perimeter but also drive play into the middle of the ice with greater efficiency.

On hour two of #Flames Talk with @Fan960Steinberg and @AAVickers:

🔥 @Mikkelson12 on Calgary's attitude down the stretch and massive strides taken this season!

🔥 Some intel on Aydar Suniev's deal and whether we see him in NHL action this season!

🎧: https://t.co/2aHTQ0EUeq pic.twitter.com/jCIGSSHKZg
— Sportsnet 960 (@Sportsnet960) April 3, 2025

The Flames have high hopes for Suniev, especially considering the strong 2023 draft class they assembled. His contract structure is expected to be similar to that of Matthew Coronato, another former college hockey standout who played one NHL game at the end of his sophomore season at Harvard before making his full-time transition to the Flames’ roster. If Suniev follows a similar trajectory, he could be the second player from Calgary’s 2023 draft class to make his NHL debut.

With the Flames currently battling for a playoff spot, sitting four games back from the final Western Conference Wild Card position with one game in hand, there’s a possibility that Suniev could get a shot in the NHL sooner rather than later. His quick hands, strong puck control, and high-energy playing style could provide the Flames with an offensive boost as they push for a postseason berth. However, Calgary’s management may also choose a more cautious approach, sending him to the AHL instead. Doing so would give Suniev time to adjust to the professional level while also preserving the first year of his contract, rather than using it on a short stint in the NHL.

Regardless of where he starts, Suniev’s signing is an exciting development for both him and the Flames organization. His rapid improvement in college hockey suggests he has the potential to be a valuable asset, and Flames fans will be eager to see how his professional career unfolds in the coming seasons.

Image Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Aydar Suniev

Calgary flames

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!