Outlook:
In 2003-04, the season before the dreaded lockout (which sadly we might be heading back in that direction after 2011), the Calgary Flames made it to the Stanley Cup finals, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning. By now, that seems like ancient history in the post lockout era.
Since that Stanley Cup run in ’04, the Flames have made the playoffs in each of the four post lockout seasons. The Flames have had little success during the second season however as they were eliminated in the first round during that time (2006-2009). “The Sea of Red” in Calgary is certainly hoping for that to change in 2009-10.
After spending the last two seasons with the New Jersey Devils, Brent Sutter heads to Calgary and will attempt to escape from his own playoff nightmares during that time. His brother Daryl is the GM in Calgary, and lead the Flames during their ’04 run.
Craig Conroy, Miikka Kiprusoff, Robyn Regehr and captain Jarome Iginla are the only four players that remain from the 2003-04 team. Those four played a major role during that time and will look to get the Flames out of their playoff funk they have suffered recently however, the “supporting cast” also has to step up.
Forward, Olli Jokinen—who was acquired by the Flames at the 2009 Trade Deadline—will be in his first full season with the squad. Iginla could really benefit from having Jokinen, which could lead to one of the best 1-2 combos in the NHL in 2009-10.
Gone from that line is Michael Cammalleri but either Rene Bourque or Curtis Glencross could be reliable replacements to fill that void.
Outside of the top line, the Flames have veterans Conroy and Daymond Langkow as reliable options and David Moss and Dustin Boyd also return. Gone from last years squad however is Todd Bertuzzi and Matthew Lombardi.
While the Flames might lose Bertuzzi and Lombardi for 2009-10, they added enforcer Brian McGrattan, Garth Murray, Nigel Dawes and Fredrik Sjostrom have been added to the roster. Brent Sutter also has Brandon Purst, Mikael Backlund and Greg Neimsz to consider for his lineup as each of these players have a bright future.
The defense seams to be the Flames’ strength for the upcoming season. Having Kiprussoff in net certainly helps and the addition of Jay Bouwmeester adds to the stability, but don’t forget about Cory Sarich, Reghr and of course, Dion Phaneuf; Mark Giordano and Adam Pardy fill the last two spots on defense. Adrian Aucoin is another notable departure, but the Flames certainly got the upgrade they needed on D.
Looking at the Northwest division, the Vancouver Canucks still look like the top dogs, but the Flames could give them a run for their money. In the Western Conference, the Flames will still be in the top five for the 2009-10 season.
Prediction: Second in Northwest, Fifth in West
Projected Lines:
Rene Bourque – Olli Jokinen – Jarome Iginla
Curtis Glencross – Daymond Langkow – David Moss
Dustin Boyd – Craig Conroy – Mikael Backlund
Fredrik Sjostrom – Garth Murray – Brian McGrattan
Jay Bouwmeester – Dion Phaneuf
Mark Giordano – Robyn Regehr
Cory Sarich – Adam Pardy
Miikka Kiprusoff
Curtis McElhinney
Posted by Tim Rosenthal 
