It’s looking like the Calgary Flames’ rookie lap might be crowded Thursday night in Los Angeles.
The Flames were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday.
To make room in the lineup, Jonathan Huberdeau, Martin Pospisil, Kevin Rooney, Rasmus Andersson, Jake Bean and Joel Hanley will sit, Sportsnet’s Pat Steinberg reported.
Many eyes will be on Parekh, the 19-year-old defenceman who starred for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit this season with 33 goals and 74 assists in 61 games.
The Nobleton, Ont., native was selected ninth overall by Calgary in last year’s NHL draft and is expected to be named the OHL’s top defenceman for a second straight year.
Parekh joined Bobby Orr as the only two OHL blue liners to record multiple 30-goal seasons. He was also the first OHL defenceman with 100 points in a season since 2011.
Suniev, 20, signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Flames on April 2 after two seasons with the University of Massachusetts. This season in the NCAA, the forward scored 20 goals and totalled 38 points over 35 games.
Meanwhile, Brzustewicz and Morton earned their NHL debuts after successful seasons with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.
Brzustewicz, a 20-year-old defenceman, recorded five goals and 26 assists in 69 games with the Wranglers.
Morton, a 25-year-old forward, had 20 goals and 25 assists in 69 games.
Each of the four players took an individual lap during warmups, followed by a group lap before the rest of the team joined them on the ice.
You can watch the youthful Flames lineup close out the NHL’s regular season Thursday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 9:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. MT.