Flames - A Year in Review

I figured a regular season wrap-up was in order before the inevitable Calgary/Anaheim play-off preview. So, without further foreplay...

The 05/06 Calgary Flames:

Offense - C

The Flames ended the season with 216 goals for, good for a 2.63 goal/game average and 27th in the league. While this will inspire neither songs nor poems, keep in mind the Flames did manage to increase their goals for by 16 over their 03/04 selves. However, thanks to the increase in powerplays and decrease in goaltender equipment, the Flame's increase in scoring didn't match the league-wide increase. In fact, while Calgary only scored 200 goals last season, they were ranked 19th overall in the league in that respect, a full 8 positions ahead of this season's ranking.

So did we take a step back or step forward? Comparisons between the two clubs suggests it was probably more of a lateral move, if anything at all. Take, for instance, the fact that the 05/06 Flames roster boasted five 20 goal scorers (Iginla, Langkow, Huselius, Kobasew, Phaneuf) as opposed to 1(!) (Iginla) in 03/04. It should also be noted, however, that there were only an additional 3 Flames this year who cracked the 10 goal mark (Leclerc, Amonte, Lundmark) and two of them were late additions to the roster who just barely managed the feat (L&L). In contrast, prior season's roster had eight 10+ goal-getters. So, while the Flames had more 20 goal scorers this season, their number of 10 goal scorers as compared to last year actually decreased nominally (8 vs. 9). It doesn't help that players like Simon, Donovan and Lombardi (thanks to underachievement or injury) fell well short of last year's numbers. Not to mention Jarome Iginla's average season. While his total of 35 is only 6 behind his pace from last season, one should consider the fact that 41 was enough to garner the Rocket Richard previously- whereas 55 goals was tops in the league this time around. Meaning a Calgary squad with a "peak" Jarome this season probably would have been closer to 236 goals for (around 21st in the league). While that doesn't sound terribly impressive, imagine how many more wins could have been gleaned by the Flame's stingy defense with the infusion of an extra goal here or there...

On the back-end, the Flames had one of their best seasons (offensively speaking) in a long time. Lead by The Dion (20 goals, 29 assists), the Flames also got relatively decent contributions from Andrew Ference (4 goals, 27 assists), Robyn Regehr (6 goals, 20 assists) and Roman Hamrlik (7 goals, 19 assists in 51 games). Even with Leopold's collosal step backwards in the "offense" department (2 goals, 18 assists), this year's Flames gathered a total of 43 goals from their blueline brigade as opposed to the 26 scored by the 03/04 d-corps. So what's with the increase? Look no further than this season's ballooning in powerplays + the injection of Hamrlik and Phaneuf into the line-up. While Leo's point totals were hurt thanks to his 1.) bad luck and extensive drought and 2.) demotion to the 2nd PP unit, other players, like Ference, had their point totals boosted by the two aforementioned factors (Andrew spent a portion of the season feeding Phaneuf on the PP while Hammer was sidelined by one of his various injuries). Looking ahead, Flames fans should be excited to see what a more mature Phaneuf and a less injured Hamrlik can accomplish next year...

Defense - B+

Calgary's top 6 defensemen is an impressive group:

Regehr - Leopold
Phaneuf - Hamrlik
Warrener - Ference
(Marchment - Hulse)

Calgary has 3 Olympians in Leo, Regehr and Hammer and one of the most impressive young defensemen to come along in a long time in Phaneuf. Rhett Warrener is a rugged veteran of 3 stanely cup finals and a former team captain. Ference, though prone to the occassional mental lapse, is highly versatile, agile and mean. In a world of sixth defensemen that includes Cory Cross and Chris Therien, Ference fills his roll adequately.

So why only a B+ on the season? Partially because the Flames almost never played with their entire "top 6" intact. Thanks to an almost constant stream of injuries, Regehr, Hamrlik, Warrener and Leopold all spent generous amonts of time on the shelf. While many of Calgary's 7th and 8th d-men filled in as well as can be expected (or more so, considering Mush's +8 stat), the Flames were only 100% probably 1/5th of the season. It's remarkable, actually, that the grade isn't lower.

Naturally, I can't go on without mentioning my favorite target, Andrew Ference. Yes, I just complimented him. And yes, he's a very decent 6th defensemen. Unfortunately, though, Ference suffered through a maddeningly inconsistent season. He would go through stretches of near perfect defensive-zone responsibility only to play a game filled with brains farts and peewee quality gaffes. While he enjoyed a career year points wise, his -12 rating is a full 17 behind his +5 rating from last season. The 2nd lowest +/- stat on the Flames, in terms of defensemen, was Dion Phaneuf's +5.

Of course, the +/- stat has to be interpretated with caution. However, in light of the fact that Ference was considerably worse than his last year self and all of his brethren this season, the conclusion is obvious. Im hoping that Ference's decision-making abilities catch-up to his physical abilities next season (and in the play-offs!) so that he can get back on the good side of the ledger.

After that, the Flames ranged from "good" to "stellar" most of the time. Regehr continued to develop into the steady, hard-nosed presence we've come to expect. Leopold, while a disappointment points wise, often lead the team in ice-time and frequently looked like a #1 defensemen in his own end. He also lead the team in +/- at one point during the year. Warrener and Hamrlik, when they were in the line-up, were both typically stalwarts on the back-end. Warrener, in particular, could be counted on to deliver a game-changing hit once in awhile.

And then there's Phaneuf. While he was still prone to the odd rookie error here and there, I was immeasurably impressed with The Dion in his own end this year. Not only did he become one of the more feared open-ice hitters in the league, he also managed to remain poised and decisive in situations where a lot of rookies (and some veterans) would become rattled. he's incredibly strong on his skates, tough to move off the puck and just plain nasty to opposing players trying to carry the biscuit over his blueline. Ahhhh...the future is bright.

Goaltending - Gradeless

What more can be said about Miika Kiprusoff? Top 5 in just about every significant goaltending category, Kipper is considered to be the runaway favorite for the Vezina this year. All the compliments heaped upon him are deserved - consider, for instance, that the last time anyone scored more than 3 goals on Kipper was during the Flames 4-3 OT loss to Vancouver at the beginning of January. And the Canucks needed overtime AND a bevy of powerplays to do it! He captured a number of Flames Franchise records this year, including most wins in a season, most shut-outs in a season and longest shut-out streak. He strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies and is the single biggest reason the Flames are where they are...I couldn't be happier with our #1 goaltender and wouldn't trade him for anyone in the league.

Of course, Calgary's back-up's struggled to live up to the "Kipper Show" all season. Sauve was vicitmized by Colorado for 7 goals before he was run out of town in favor of Brian Boucher. Unfortunately, Boucher promptly let 9 in against Nashville, further increasing the importance of Miika to the Flame's fortunes. Next season, I figure Sutter will jettison Boucher and allow Krahn a shot at the big time...

Overall - B+

Calgary enjoyed one of the best seasons in Franchise history. 103 points and first in one of the most competitive divisions in hockey. A Vezina candidate, a Calder candidate and the Jennings trophy.

While the offense still isn't where many would like it to be, many of the pieces are beginning to fall into place for the Flames. Pushed inexorably forward by the iron will of Darryl Sutter, and riding on the shoulders of Kipper, Phanuef, Regehr and Iginla, Flames fans can probably look forward to years of competitive play to come.

Now let's get it done in the play-offs boys!