Top Ten Lists

Randy's list first published at Flames Jambalaya.

I am trying to put together my Top 10 Flames list. Putting together my favorite Flames players is a daunting task. There are a quite a few!

I mean, I could have players like defenceman Kari Eloranta, a Flames defender who was with the Flames in the eighties. He never scored more than five goals a season. Okay, bad example. Why would I want him?

I could have put Kent Nilsson, AKA the Magic Man. He has the Flames' record  for most points in a season: 131. In an era when defensive hockey was not invented. But of course, he was an Oiler, so I really could not have him on my list.

Well, of course I am being a little facetious, but you see my point. There could be a whole bunch of players to chose from. It is a task which I do not take lightly. There is no set criteria. Just a totally subjective list of my favourite players. I am sure my list won't be the same as yours, but it will be interesting to see who are the most-liked Flames of all time.

MY LIST

10.  Doug Gilmour

Doug was one of the best second line Centres in the league. He did so many things and played with a edge. Although he never was the best at anything, he was very good at everything. He played with a chip on his shoulder and never let anyone push him around. He never stepped down from anyone. He was a true leader on the best team in the NHL. 

9.  Al Macinnis

A Powerplay specialist who was a very good offensive defenceman. Alan was the Conn Smythe winner in the 89 playoffs.  Alan had six 20-goal seasons with the Flames. Think of that for a defenceman. 

8. Lanny MacDonald.

Lanny was pretty much the heart and soul of the Flames, scoring that huge second goal in game six. He also gets the award for the best moustache  in the NHL. He holds the record for most goals scored in a season (sixty-six,) which will probably never be broken. Lanny was a fantastic power forward with a terrific snapshot and ten times the heart of a normal man. He played on both the Leafs and the Flames, a bonus for me, being a huge Leafs fan as well.

7. Joe Mullen 

Joe was is a pure sniper, one of the best American players. He played the Flames for five season, where he had a career year, scoring 51 goals and 59 assists for 110 points in 1989. He was part of the 89 Stanley Cup team. He was the perfect all-around player. The Flames turned their season around after acquiring Mullen. I loved the way Joe could always be counted on to score the big goal or big play just when the team needed it.

6.  Sean Monahan

I truly believe that Sean is going to be an all-star Flame for many years to come. He is a number one Centre. He was a the best player on the first line last season. He was the best player on the team many nights. He has the ability to play a full game in the defensive zone. He was used in all aspects of the Flames' game.

5. Theoren Fleury 

Theo was told he could never play in the NHL because of his size. Not only did he play, he got a Stanley Cup ring and was a 60-goal scorer. Theo had the heart of a lion and was a sniper. He was the man for the Flames throughout most of his career.

4. Mark Giordano 

Mark would have won the Norris if it was not for his injury. He was basically the first real number one defenceman the Flames have had since the 80s.   The last two years, Mark has been the leader and one of the best Captains the Flames has ever had, both for his play and his leadership in the locker room.

3. Mikka Kiprusoff

This one is personal. I have met him several times. Mikka singlehandedly took the Flames to the 04 Stanley Cup final, making the ‘scorpion' save against the Sharks. Then there was the save off of Martin Havlat as Kipper dove back from behind the net. I will never forget Martin's face when found out he never scored.

2. Jarome Iginla

Iggy was probably the greatest captain in Flames history. He did everything he could to get us the Stanley Cup, but unfortunately we let him down by never giving him a true Centre. Even without a  bona fide centre, he scored two 50-goal seasons, and how many Flames can say that?

1. Hakan Loob

The other number 12 in a Flames sweater. Hakan was my favourite Flame in the 80s. Hakan had a 50-goal year and a Stanley Cup ring. I loved his breakaway speed and agility to get away from opposing defencemen.  

CONCLUSION

Yes, I know my number one was a odd choice, I have no sound reason, except that he was my favourite Flames player. He might not have been the best of all time, but he is my most-liked Flame. Who would be on your list?

Randy

And here is Jason Friesen's Top Ten List for the Oilers

Back in the 80s i was young. As a 10, 11,12 year old boy i often wondered how anybody could be a Flames fan. Only a couple hours north there was the Oilers. A team with the best player in the world and an allstar lineup only a few hours north and you are a Flames fan? It made no sense. Thinking about that got me wondering who my alltime favorite Oilers would be so i decided its time to make a list.

10. Nail Yakupov


Most of you will wonder what im thinking with this pick. Nail was a 1st overall draft pick and in his rookie season with the Oilers he led the team in goals. I became a huge fan real fast. Things went sour for Yakupov. The team took on eakins as coach and with that a number of players dropped of production. Yakupov was one of them. It wasnt until Eakins was fired and a new coach came in that we started to see Yakupov gain confidence back and start to look like the player he can be.




9. Ales Hemsky




Hemsky never really grew into his potential as a player. More than likely this had a lot to do with the team around him. They were not very good but many nights we saw Hemsky Dangle the puck as good as the best in the league.




8. Doug weight 




Simply the reason Weight makes my list is he is all the Oilers had for many seasons.

7. Paul Coffey




His points speak for themself. I have yet to see a defenceman since coffee be able to skate up the ice and walk through players like Coffey could




6. Jari Kurri




The magic Kurri and Gretzky put on for the fans in Edmonton says enough about Kurri




5. Mark Messier




Messier was tough in all areas of the ice. He was the complete package




4. Bill Ranford




Growing up i loved goalies. Ranford in my mind was the best of the best in the early 90s




3. Grant Fuhr




Instead of telling you all the reasons i loved Fuhr ill tell you a little story on why hes my favorite goaltender of all time. I played goal in minor hockey. I would study Fuhr and durring games i would leave my glove side wide open hoping the other team would shoot left side high so i could try to make a spectacular glove save like Fuhr  




2. Wayne Gretzky




His stats speak for themself




1. Glen Anderson




As i did with Fuhr im going to tell a little story on why Anderson was and is my Favorite Oiler of all time. My first few seasons playing hockey i played wing. My 2nd year my mom was able to order me a team jacket. One day at school the principal came up to me and started talking hockey. He saw the #9 on my jacket. He said how hard of a number 9 is to get and i must really like Gordie Howe. Nope i said, i love Glen Anderson