The Flames have been a fairly successful team over their 40 years in existence (48 if you count their predecessor, the Atlanta Flames). They only won a lone Stanley Cup, but as of this years playoffs, they have made it to the post-season 24 times. Along their over four decade journey, the Flames have created some phenomenal talent, and they are still doing so today. So let’s look into Calgary’s most valuable treasures in each position.
Center: Joe Nieuwendyk
The Hall of Fame center played in the NHL for just over two decades. During that span, he has accumulated 1,126 points in 1,257 games. Nieuwendyk also acquired a lot of hardware throughout his 20 seasons in the league. He was a Calder winner, a King Clancy winner, and won the Stanley Cup three times with three different franchises.
Honorable Mentions: Kent Nilsson, Doug Gilmour, Sean Monahan
Right Wing: Jarome Iginla
How can I not add one of the most recent Hockey Hall of Fame additions onto this All Time Lineup. Iginla has been a cornerstone for the Flames organization for years. He is the all time leader in points for the team, his jersey number hangs in the Flames rafters, and he was a six time All Star in Calgary. Iginla won multiple awards in his time in the NHL, including; two Maurice Richards, an Art Ross, a Ted Lindsay, a King Clancy, and so much more. And who can forget his international achievements. Everywhere he went he was bound to get a gold medal. He won two Olympic golds, two World Championship golds, and an Under 20 World junior Championship gold medal. Number Twelve definitely goes down as my favorite Flame of All Time.
Honorable Mentions: Theoren Fleury, Lanny McDonald, Joe Mullen
Left Wing: Johnny Gaudreau
Many might argue that Gary Roberts should be here, but I think “Johnny Hockey” is the best Calgary Flames left winger of all time. In only seven NHL seasons, Gaudreau has accumulated 464 points. He is a five time All Star, a Lady Byng winner, and won a World Championship bronze medal for team USA; and all of this as a 26 year old. The young stud still has a lot to accomplish, but the success he has already given his team shows why some fans call this era in Flames history The Gaudreau Era.
Honorable Mentions: Gary Roberts, Eric Vail, Alex Tanguay
Defenseman (1): Al MacInnis
Any time you think of a Calgary Flames defenseman, your mind instantly thinks of this twelve time All Star. With over 23 seasons under his belt and over 1,200 points scored, MacInnis is an easy choice for the best Flames blueliner of all time. The Hockey Hall of Famer helped Calgary capture their only Stanley Cup and was the playoff MVP that same year; and in 1999 he finally won his first, and only, Norris trophy.
Defenseman (2): Mark Giordano
The current captain has made a huge impact on the Flames organization. The 14 year veteran has come up with over 480 points so far in his career, in 893 games. He is a three time All Star, a Norris winner, and a World Championship silver medalist. He also won the the NHL Foundation Award in 2016, showing just how great he is on and off the ice.
Honorable Mentions: Gary Suter, Robyn Regehr, Paul Reinhart
Goaltender: Miikka Kiprusoff
“Kipper” is said to be one of the best goaltenders of the Dead Puck Era. In his 12 NHL seasons, he has recorded a 2.49 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. The Finnish goaltender has won multiple international medals and won a Vezina and Jennings trophy in the same year (2006). His hockey career was so good, that Finland decided to induct him into their hockey hall of fame.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Vernon, Dan Bouchard, Reggie Lemelin
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