Calgary Flames year in review

[yave1964]

  PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS

 

Bleak to put it mildly. Long time heroes Iginla and Kipper had moved on for nothing, others such as Bouwmeester had also left. This was a team with no goaltending and not much skill. Trying not to embarrass themselves was about all they could hope for.

 

 FINAL RECORD 35-40-7 77 points 13th in the West

 

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR

 Matt Stajan had 14 goals on only 70 shots for a neat 20 percent shooting percentage 3rd among all players with at least as many goals.

 

  HIGH POINT OF THE SEASON

They actually burst from the gate with a 3-0-2 record before reality set in. That was possibly the high point, that or finishing ahead of Edmonton.

 

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR

 From December 15th through January 11th they lost 11 out of 13 games but even in that they managed 5 OT losses. They were bad all year but not THAT bad.

 

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Jiri Hudler (17-37-54) enthusiastically led the attack. Mike Cammalleri scored 25 goals. Mark Giordano shrugged off a few minor injuries and had a career year (14-33-47). Mikael Backlund (18-21-39) showed flashes especially late. Sean Monahan (22 goals) showed he belonged in the NHL. Overall, most of the veterans who were in Calgary because nobody wanted them (Paul Byron, Joe Colborne and Kris Russell to name a few) acquitted themselves quite well. 

 

 WHAT WENT WRONG

 

 Simply not enough talent. Lots of heart but not much skill, Ladislav Smid came over from Edmonton and was bad, TJ Galiardi only had 4 goals. The goaltending was hideous, beyond bad. Joey MacDonald may be a personal favorite of mine because of his perseverance but when he is right in the middle fighting for playing time you are in big trouble. Karri Ramo  was the best of the bunch and that is not saying much. Joni Ortio was given a shot and was bad, Reto Berra was considered the answer til they saw him play then he was donated to Colorado. Simply awful netminding. Other than that the team was not really that horrible.

 

  MVP

Giordano by a nose over Hudler. Giordano established himself as an under the radar offensive force from the blueline.

 

UFAs

 

Mike Cammelleri

Chris Butler

 

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS

  Can they find a goalie? In a market positively teaming with netminders is there one they can lure to Calgary? Will the kids step up and replace Cammalleri?