Pre-Season Preview
20.09.00
Can the new regime in Calgary carry the Flames to the Playoffs?
As the Hockey calendar flips to the 2000/2001 season, the Flames will embark on a new path, under the new regime of rookie Coach/GM Dave Fyvie.
How the team does will rest largely with the cast of players Fyvie has retained and brought in. Returning are three key players that we've identified may have a large impact on how the team performs this season.
Below is a quick list of who came in and who went out this summer:
Players in:
F Andy MacDonald
F Martin Gelinas
F Jeff O'Neill
F Dave Lowry
G Ty Conklin (minors)
G Reinhard Divis (minors)
Players Out:
F Rene Corbet (expansion draft)
F Bill Lindsay (expansion draft)
F Andrei Nazarov (free agency)
D Wade Belak (free agency)
F Nils Ekman (trade)
F Valeri Bure (trade)
F Rico Fata (trade)
G Grant Fuhr (trade)
Key Player Profile - Jean Sebastien Giguere
Coming over from the Hartford Whalers in 1997 via trade, Giguere has slowly established himself as a legitimate NHL Starter. Last season, Giguere appeared in 46 games and delivered an impressive 2.12GAA and .927 SV%. If the Flames are going to have any chance on breaking their playoff drought, the 23yr old Giguere will again have to perform heroics.
Key Player Profile - Phil Housley
The veteran Blueliner is currently enjoying his second stint with the Flames. The ageless powerplay specialist can still quarterback on the man-advantage but will now have to be insulated more at even strength. The 36yr old as posted a respectable 24 goals and 94 points over his previous two seasons with the Flames and will continue to provide much-needed leadership amongst his much younger defensive partners.
Key Player Profile - Jarome Iginla
It almost seems like yesterday that the Edmonton native was acquired for Franchise centre Joe Nieuwendyk in 1995. Since that time, Iginla has slowly matured into the face of the Franchise that previous GM Al Coates envisioned when trading for the young forward. Blessed with a strong stride and an excellent scoring touch, Iginla is fierce along the boards and often drops the gloves to assert his presence against the opposition. If the Flames are to play hockey next spring, it will be on Iginla's shoulders.