All Time Greats

Tucker Warner lays out his all-time greatest players for the Flames.

This is the first of a periodic series in which I unveil my selections for the all-time greatest players, in the form of a forward and defenseman line, plus a goalie, for the franchises of the Northwest Division.

The Flames have had a rich franchise history, beginning in Atlanta in the 1972-73 season to their move to Calgary in the 1980-81 season.  Since the move, the Flames have made the playoffs 20 times in 30 seasons, including 4 appearances in the conference finals, 3 appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals, and one championship in the 1988-89 season. 

Along the way, many great players have laced up for the Flames. These are just a few of the greatest who have made their mark on the franchise.

Forward Line: Lanny McDonald; Jarome Iginla; Theo Fleury

In addition to having one of the best mustaches in the history of the NHL, “Machine Gun” Lanny McDonald boasted a hard shot and a hard check.  Known for his scoring ability and aggression, McDonald came to Calgary after spending the first half of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his first full year with the Flames, the 1982-83 season, he led the team with 66 goals - still a single-season franchise record.  McDonald’s leadership earned him the captainship of the team, and he continued a high level of production until his final year, in which he won his first Stanley Cup.  His #9 was the first jersey retired by the Flames.

Current Flames captain Jarome Iginla has been the model of consistency his entire career.  Since the 2000-01 season, he has never scored less than 30 goals and 32 assists in a season.  He has rarely been injured, and has played in all 82 games in a season eight times.  Although primarily a scorer, Iginla is not afraid to do whatever it takes in order to win, and has been known to drop the gloves and get in a fight - the most notable of which was an inspiring bout against Tampa Bay Lightning star Vincent Lecavalier in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.  He is the career franchise leader in games played, goals scored, and total points.

Theo Fleury, despite battling alcohol and drug addictions for part of his career, was an absolute sparkplug for the Calgary Flames for longer than a decade.  Just five feet, six inches tall, Fleury had the aggression and grit of the most punishing enforcers coupled with an elite scoring ability.  He scored 40 goals for the Flames in four seasons, including a career-high 51 in the 1990-91 season. That same season, he led the NHL in plus/minus with 48.  He was a key part of the 1989 championship team and averaged over a point per game in the postseason.  A career highlight for Fleury included his 1991 Conference Quarterfinal Game 6 overtime game-winner, in which he celebrated by sliding the length of the ice.

Second Line: Joe Nieuwendyk;Gary Roberts; Joel Otto

Defenseman Line: Al MacInnis; Gary Suter

Al MacInnis had a slapshot so powerful that stories about his strength sound more like legends than anything. Things his shots have broken include: the boards behind the net, Chicago Blackhawks goalie Jocelyn Thibault’s hand, and St. Louis Blues goalie Mike Liut’s mask.  MacInnis was also a great passer, and ranks 15th on the career assists list, but is first among all Flames.  He led the 1989 championship team in playoff points, with 31 (7 goals, 21 assists) in 22 games.  While he was primarily an offensive specialist as a young player, MacInnis later became a strong defensive player as well, and was utilized more often on the penalty kill later in his career.

Gary Suter, sometimes MacInnis’s linemate during their careers, acted as his defensive complement. Though he often had to play more of a defensive role, Suter was a strong offensive player as well, scoring over 60 points six times during his eight seasons in Calgary, including 70 assists in 1987-88. Suter is one of the greatest American defensemen of the modern era, and won a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics.

Second Line: Paul Reinhart; Robyn Regehr

Goalie: Miikka Kiprusoff

Miikka Kiprusoff was perhaps the most important player to the Flames’ 2004 run to the Stanley Cup Finals, posting a record low GAA of 1.69 during the regular season, then 1.85 in the playoffs.  He is 12th in career save percentage, 23rd in career GAA, and the franchise leader in wins.  The Finn has regressed with his age over the past few years, but he is already noticeably more effective this year.

Backup: Mike Vernon