yardbarker
After placing forward Connor Zary and defenseman Brayden Pachal on waivers, the Calgary Flames freed up two roster spots and promptly filled them by calling up forwards Aydar Suniev and Jonathan Castagna from the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League.
Suniev, 21, was chosen by Calgary in the third round, 80th overall, at the 2023 NHL Draft. At the time of his selection, he was skating for the Penticton Vees of the BCHL, where he wrapped up the 2022-23 season with 45 goals and 90 points across 50 games.
The following year, Suniev moved on to the University of Massachusetts, where he tallied 32 goals and 63 points in 71 career games, posting a plus-13 rating. After his sophomore season in Amherst, he inked his entry-level contract with the Flames and appeared in one game for Calgary to end the campaign.
During the 2025-26 season, Suniev spent the majority of his time with the Wranglers, recording 16 goals and 24 points in 57 games. However, he also finished with a minus-28 rating, a glaring defensive statistic.
Even with those defensive concerns, the Flames have managed just three goals in their first three games of the 2026-27 season. While the team is not expected to contend for a playoff spot, adding a shoot-first forward like Suniev could help boost their competitiveness.
Castagna, also 21, is set to get his first taste of NHL action. Originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes, he joined the Flames organization last season after being acquired from the Utah Mammoth as part of the MacKenzie Weegar trade. At the time of the deal, Castagna was in his junior year at Cornell University, where he posted 15 goals and 34 points in 34 games with a plus-23 rating. He has scored two goals in his first two professional games with the Wranglers.
Key Analysis
The recalls of Suniev and Castagna signal a clear attempt by Calgary to inject fresh legs and scoring potential into a lineup that has stumbled out of the gate. Suniev's offensive pedigree is undeniable, but his defensive liabilities may need to be managed carefully. Castagna, meanwhile, brings a well-rounded game and will be eager to prove himself in his NHL debut. With the Flames not projected to be playoff contenders, these promotions offer an opportunity to evaluate young talent for the future.
Originally reported by yardbarker.