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9 Calgary Flames prospects that could play NHL games next season

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Apr 22 2025, 9:56 pm
9 Calgary Flames prospects that could play NHL games next season
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images

For the third-straight season, the Calgary Flames came up short in their quest to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Unlike the prior two seasons, however, this team was never expected to be competitive. In fact, with GM Craig Conroy trading several veterans during and after the 2023-24 season, many believed they would be amongst the worst teams in the NHL. Instead, they fought right until the end, finishing with a very respectable 96 points.

As frustrating as it was to fall up just short in the playoff race, this season helped indicate just how bright the future is in Calgary. They were able to get some great contributions from players who figure to be around for the long term, most notably Dustin Wolf and Matt Coronato. Adding to the excitement is that even more young talent could soon be arriving.

The Flames boast a number of intriguing prospects in their pipeline, several of whom are expected to make an impact at the NHL level sooner rather than later. Here’s a look at nine that are likely to get in some games next season, along with a few who could very well crack the opening night roster.

The near locks

Zayne Parekh

Calgary Flames got a teaser of what Zayne Parekh can do at the NHL lineup on Thursday, as the 19-year-old was able to score in his debut while logging 20:31 in ice time versus the LA Kings. Barring a shocking decision, he will be a mainstay on the Flames’ back end next season.

Parekh won’t be old enough to play in the AHL next season, and while he could return to the OHL, it may not benefit him much in terms of development, given that he is coming off a 107-point season. Fans should expect to see his name on the opening night roster in 2025-26.

Ilya Solovyov

Ilya Solovyov doesn’t have nearly as much potential as Parekh, but he’s looking like a pretty good draft pick himself. The 24-year-old was placed on waivers following training camp this past fall, but went unclaimed and went on to have a big role for the Calgary Wranglers while also skating in five NHL games.

The 2020 seventh-round pick isn’t expected by any means to become a star player, but has the makings of a steady, third-pairing defenceman. With the Flames in somewhat of a rebuilding stage, giving him a shot on the back end out of training camp next season makes plenty of sense.

The maybes

Sam Morton

Like Parekh, Sam Morton was also able to find the back of the net in his NHL debut on Thursday. Signed as an undrafted free agent late into the 2023-24 campaign, Morton is older than the other prospects on this list at the age of 25, but still has plenty of potential given that this was his first full season of professional hockey.

While Morton’s 20 goals and 45 points in 70 games with the Calgary Wranglers are by no means incredible, he plays a very defensively sound game that makes him a player coaches can trust. The fact that he plays centre could also allow for him to earn a spot out of camp this coming fall. If not, expect him to get a lengthier stretch at some point later in the season.

Rory Kerins

What a season it was for Rory Kerins. The recently turned 23-year-old didn’t get much of a look at all from the Flames during training camp, but was able to earn his first call-up in January thanks to an impressive first few months with the Wranglers. In five games wearing a Flames sweater, he registered four assists.

In the AHL, Kerins finished the regular season with a team-leading 33 goals and 61 points. While his offensive game has come to light in the minors, however, there are still concerns about his foot speed and defensive play. He’ll need to work on both during the offseason in order to earn a spot next fall, though he should by no means be counted out.

Strong training camp performances needed

Hunter Brzustewicz

Hunter Brzustewicz was the second of the Flames’ two young blueline prospects who made his NHL debut on Thursday. The 20-year-old was unable to register any points but showed some great offensive instincts in his 18:23 of ice time and finished the outing with a plus/minus of +2.

Overall, Brzustewicz’s first season of professional hockey proved to be a learning adjustment, though he still put up a respectable 32 points in 70 games with the Wranglers. It seems likely that he will begin the 2025-26 season in the AHL, though a strong start could see him earn a call-up.

Matvei Gridin

Having just been selected 28th overall in last year’s draft, the odds of Matvei Gridin cracking the Flames roster next season would seem rather slim to most. That said, it’s worth remembering just how highly head coach Ryan Huska spoke of him after he was reassigned to the QMJHL this past fall.

ā€œYou can see the skill set, and already as a young 18-year-old, heā€™s a man,ā€ Huska raved. ā€œI almost envision him as a guy thatā€™s going to go away, and heā€™s going to dominate in the [QMJHL], and heā€™s going to come back next year and be in a position to make our team. You have a sense about him. Heā€™s got the ability to play the game.ā€

Gridin certainly did dominate, as he put up 36 goals and 79 points in just 56 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Unlike Parekh, the 19-year-old would be able to play in the AHL next season, though the Flames’ lack of scoring this season could result in him getting a long look in training camp.

Sam Honzek

Sam Honzek was the biggest story of the Flames’ training camp this past fall, as the 20-year-old had a phenomenal showing in exhibition play that helped him earn a deserving yet unexpected spot on the opening night roster. Unfortunately, an injury suffered just four games into the season hindered the positive momentum he was building, and he was reassigned to the AHL a short time later.

Honzek was okay at best with the Wranglers, scoring eight goals and 21 points in 52 regular-season games. Given the marginal stats, another season in the AHL seems to make the most sense right now, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get in some more NHL games at some point in 2025-26.

Aydar Suniev

The fourth and final prospect to make his NHL debut this past Thursday was Aydar Suniev. The 20-year-old winger was signed to an entry-level deal following his sophomore season with UMass-Amherst.

Suniev had an impressive 20 goals and 38 points in 35 games at the college level in 2024-25, and has the makings of a scoring winger at the NHL level. There’s zero reason to rush him, which suggests he will likely begin his first pro season in the AHL, though he shouldn’t be counted out.

William Stromgren

While many prospects were able to get some games in with the Flames this season, William Stromgren wasn’t one of them. You have to imagine he was the next in line, though his decline in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign with the Wranglers likely hurt his chances.

Nonetheless, Stromgren still finished his second season with the Wranglers, posting 14 goals and 49 points in 70 games. The 21-year-old boasts plenty of skill and could wind up getting in some action with the Flames next season.

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