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
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
