Calgary Flames Season Preview History
CALGARY FLAMES 2011-2012 SEASON PREVIEW:
The 2010-11 season was one on the upswing for the Calgary Flames. After a slow start that saw them end the first quarter of the year in 14th place, the Flames bounced GM Darryl Sutter and began to win. They didn’t make it to the playoffs for the second straight year, but also came a mere three points away from the eighth spot.
Can they build on that momentum? Jerome Iginla’s 43-goal, 86-point year was his best in recent history, and continuing that will be the crux of any future successes. Bringing back his wingman Alex Tanguay was important, considering the rapport they share. The rest of the forwards— Curtis Glencross, David Moss and Lee Stempniak—all have 20-goal seasons under their belts, so you have to believe when then all the pieces together, the scores will come in bunches.
Defensively, it all depends on the maturation of Jay Bouwmeester in relation to the massive contract he got after his stellar play in Florida. If his production can rise and last year’s storied defenseman Mark Giordano—who scored 43-points in 2010-11—can continue with the same output, they might be a formidable line and push Calgary back into the playoffs.
Calgary Flames 2010-2011 NHL Preview:
The Calgary Flames got off to a hot start last season, but their early spark was extinguished midway through the year and they ended up missing the playoffs. Fans may be expecting a more consistent year this season, but the team returns much of the same roster, so a different result may be hard to find.
The Flames offense is centered around Jarome Iginla. The talented right wing will be looking to rebound from an off year where he scored just 32 goals and notching 37 assists. However, Iginla has very little help on the attack. The new acquisition of Alex Tanguay may provide some depth on the offense, and Olli Jokinen will have to be more productive this coming season if the Flames are to make a playoff push.
Defensively, Calgary will be looking for solid performances from Jay Bouwmeester and Mark Giordano, both of whom had rather disappointing campaigns in 2009. The duo will be joined by a group of older players, including Raitis Ivanans and Steve Staios, who provide experience but may be beginning to slow down. The same goes for the Flames' goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who had a decent season last year with a 2.31 goals against average.
Calgary Flames 2009-2010 NHL Preview:
Are the Calgary Flames the best team in hockey heading into the 2009-2010 NHL season? The Flames should compete with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philly Flyers and LA Kings for that honor this year. Calgary was the #5 seed in the Western Conference last year, but lost 4-2 in the 1st round against the Chicago Blackhawks. Flames team captain Jarome Iginla and Head Coach Brent Sutter are going to make sure Calgary doesn't have an early exit from the 2010 NHL playoffs.