NHL Saturday charges on through the offseason, taking on the second franchise from the third phase of the Expansion Era: the Calgary Flames, who joined the NHL with the New York Islanders in 1972 as the Atlanta Flames—and took a lot longer to win their one and only Stanley Cup title. The organization has two other Cup Final appearances, though, despite only reaching the postseason 5 times in the last 15 seasons. Cyclical!

No. 10: Joe Nieuwendyk, C—59 PS (1987-1995)

A second rounder, he had a huge impact on the Flames: winner of the 1988 Calder, he also helped the team to its 1989 NHL championship and took home the King Clancy trophy in 1995, his final season in Calgary. Overall, he posted 616 points in 577 regular-season games and added 60 points in 66 postseason contests. The 1989-1990 season was his best with the club, as he amassed 9.0 Point Shares in that campaign, overall.

No. 9: Johnny Gaudreau, LW—68 PS (2014-2022)

Despite playing in one of the dryer eras of Calgary hockey, he still managed one All-Star appearance (2022) while also bagging the Lady Byng vote in 2017. Not bad, really, for the overall 104th pick in the draft. He also topped the league in plus/minus rating in 2022 (plus-64). In total, he notched 609 points in 602 regular-season games with the organization, but he played in just 42 postseason matchups (33 points) overall, sadly.

No. 8: Gary Suter, D—70 PS (1985-1994)

For a ninth rounder, he had a pretty good run in Calgary: he won the Calder vote in 1986, as the team made a run to the Cup Finals before losing to Montréal. He was an All Star in 1988, a Cup winner in 1989, and a Top 10 vote getter for the Norris three times (1988-1989, 1993). Playing in a high-scoring era with the Flame, he registered 564 points in 617 regular-season games, while contributing 39 points in 49 playoff games. Nice.

No. 7: Mike Vernon, G—71 PS (1982-1994, 2000-2002)

In two different stints with the franchise, he was a one-time All Star (1989) and a four-time Top 11 vote getter for the Vezina (1987-1989, 1991). His 37 wins in net in 1989 were an NHL best, as the team won the Stanley Cup. He was just a third-round pick, but he played a lot bigger than that: 262 regular-season wins and 43 postseason victories, too. His best season with the Flames came in 1993 with 9.9 Point Shares.

No. 6: Dan Bouchard, G—73 PS (1972-1981)

A second-round pick by Boston in the 1970 Draft, he ended up in Atlanta as an original Flame. His nondescript career did include one season with a NHL-best win total, though (1979). Despite that achievement, he wasn’t even a Vezina vote getter that year, which is odd. He did post a winning record with the team, though: 168-139-75 (regular season). But his 1-11 record in the playoffs tells the story of the time.

No. 5: Theo Fleury, RW—85 PS (1988-1999)

A one-time All Star (1995) and two-time Top 5 Hart vote getter (1991, 1995), his career with the Flames was impressive: 830 points in 791 regular-season games and 62 points in 59 playoff matchups. He was a member of the 1989 title team as a rookie as well. Despite being just 5-foot-6, he topped the NHL in plus-minus rating in 1991. His 11.2 PS that year also represented his career best despite his 8th-round draft status.

No. 4: Mark Giordano, D—98 PS (2006-2021)

He went undrafted, so whatever he achieved with the organization is a huge return on investment: a 2019 All Star and the Norris vote winner that year, as well. His plus-minus rating (plus-39) also topped the league, and his 12.6 PS total was his career high. He had three other seasons in the Norris Top 10 vote, too (2014-2015, 2017). Sadly, in a dry period for the franchise, he only got to play in 23 playoff games overall.

No. 3: Miikka Kiprusoff, G—105 PS (2003-2013)

A fifth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks, he ended up in Calgary for a very successful decade: he won our Conn Smythe in 2004, and he was an All Star and the Vezina winner in 2006. We also gave him our Vezina in 2007; in addition, he topped the NHL in wins once (2009); goals-against average twice (2004, 2006); and shutouts once (2006). His 305 regular-season victories and 24 playoff wins stand out considering his status.

No. 2: Al MacInnis, D—109 PS (1981-1994)

A five-time All Star (1987, 1989-1991, 1994) while with the Flames, he also won the Conn Smythe in 1989 as Calgary won its only Stanley Cup. We also awarded him the Norris in 1990; six times he was a Top 10 vote getter there, too (1987, 1989-1992, 1994). With 822 points in 803 regular-season matchups, he was a force on the blue line, and in the playoffs (95 contests), he added 102 points. He was the leader of the Golden Age.

No. 1: Jarome Iginla, RW—134 PS (1996-2013)

The No. 11 pick overall, he lived up to his potential with the franchise: 4-time All Star (2002, 2004, 2008-2009), scoring champion (2002), top goals scorer twice (2002, 2004), and our choice for the Hart winner in 2004 as well. He also led all skaters in the 2004 postseason with 13 goals as the Flames came up just short in Game 7 of the Finals. He posted five seasons of 11-plus Point Shares, too (2002, 2004, 2007-2008, 2011).