What Happened
Aydar Suniev scored his first career NHL goal on Saturday night, tying the game against Anaheim off a Matt Coronato pass with a sharp-angled finish past Ville Husso. The goal came two nights after fellow AHL call-up Jonathan Castagna recorded an assist in his NHL debut. Calgary's loss to the Ducks moved the Flames to 0-5-0 to start a season for the first time in franchise history.
Key Details
- Suniev, 21, is a 2023 third-round pick of the Flames.
- He has played parts of three seasons with Calgary, totalling nine games.
- Matt Coronato assisted on the goal; Ville Husso was in net for Anaheim.
- Jonathan Castagna had an assist in his NHL debut two nights earlier.
- Both Suniev and Castagna were called up from the AHL earlier in the week.
- Calgary's 0-5-0 start is the first such opening in franchise history.
What It Means
The Flames' rebuilding season is centered on young players getting NHL reps, and the early returns from AHL call-ups Suniev and Castagna offer the organization tangible development markers even as the standings stay empty. With the playoff picture already distant, individual firsts and growth from prospects carry more weight than results for Calgary.
What's Next
Calgary will look to build on the debuts of Suniev and Castagna as the season continues, with the development of young call-ups remaining the primary focus during the rebuild.