1998-99 record: 30-40-12, 72 points, 4th Northwest Division
Coach: Brian Sutter (56-81-27, two years as Flames coach)
New faces: C Marc Savard, LW Fredrik Oduya, C Daniel Tkaczuk, G Grant Fuhr, LW Benoit Gratton, D Robyn Regehr, D Lee Sorochan, RW Brent Dodginghorse
Losses: C Andreas Karlsson, LW Jan Hlavac, C Andrew Cassels, RW Tom Chorske, G Ken Wregget, RW Ed Ward
Strengths: If he can stay healthy, even at 37, Grant Fuhr will provide an upgrade in the nets while assisting youngsters like Tyrone Garner, Tyler Moss and Jean-Sebastien Giguere. The Flames should get a boost from young forwards Rico Fata and Daniel Tkaczuk, who figure to fight for roster spots. RW Jarome Iginla, another former first-round draft pick, scored a career-best 28 goals last season. Two more former first-rounders – D Derek Morris and LW Cory Stillman – are integral members of a still inexperienced team. By re-signing D Phil Housley, the Flames retained their 35-year-old power-play quarterback. Sutter is the type of coach who gets the absolute maximum out of his players.
Weaknesses: Calgary lacks talent, particularly of the high-priced variety. Many Flames' fans have not forgiven GM Al Coates for trading away Theo Fleury, the team's heart and soul. Calgary finished near the bottom in the league in penalty-killing, belying Sutter's belief in work ethic. The Flames were one of only three Western Conference teams without a 30-goal scorer. Losing Cassels, a playmaking center, won't help. The lack of firepower forces Sutter to employ among the most conservative systems in the NHL.
Sutter says: "This team needs lots of guts. We're going to be smart and gutsy when we are involved in 5-on-5 situations. The second thing I'm going to do is gamble in the last two minutes when we are down one goal. We're not going to lose any games by one goal. We're going to go for it and hopefully tie the game, at least."