CALGARY — Aydar Suniev will be a Calgary Flame in the very near future.

His team-leading four pre-season goals essentially cemented that.

But he won’t start with the big club.

Suniev was the most notable name to be left off the 23-man opening night roster the Flames had to submit to the league Monday afternoon.

It’s not because he didn’t do enough to prove his world-class shot eventually belongs alongside the world’s best players.

But he was an obvious choice to be left off the Flames’ opening night roster Monday, when the team chose to keep Brennan Othmann over the Russian winger. After all, Othmann would have had to clear waivers to be demoted. Suniev did not.

“Yes, it came down to those two guys, but this could be for a day, a week – this is the year we have to see all these people and it’s an open competition,” said Conroy, alluding to the fact Suniev will likely be back with the goal-craved Flames in short order.     

“I know he’s probably disappointed, and I know people are going to be disappointed, but we’re going to see him – it’s just a matter of when.”

Keeping Othmann allows the team to keep both young prospects in their organization, giving both the best environment to continue........

© Sportsnet