2005 CALGARY FLAMES PREVIEW

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2005-06 Calgary Flames preview

(MySportsbook.com) - The Calgary Flames were one win and one questionable call away from being Stanley Cup champions in 2003-04, but that's all in the past.

Now, Darryl Sutter's job is to get the team on track for another deep playoff run in a Western Conference whose power clubs have taken some significant hits.

With Jarome Iginla in place as the team's cornerstone, Sutter's quest was to add upgrades around the superstar. He accomplished this by signing free agents Tony Amonte and Darren McCarty for veteran depth and inking power-play maven Roman Hamrlik to boost the blueline corps.

In addition to bringing in new faces, the club's brass was also busy re- signing its own pieces, like Iginla, Jordan Leopold, Steve Reinprecht, Andrew Ference, Miikka Kiprusoff and Rhett Warrener.

The Flames caught most of the hockey world off guard during their trek to the '04 Finals, but that's unlikely this season. Sutter has his stuff together and a plan in place.

Whether or not that means another Finals berth remains to be seen, as a lot of things would have to go their way, but any success had by Calgary in 05-06 will be surprise to no one.

FORWARDS - Iginla finished tied for the NHL lead with 41 goals in 03-04, putting his name on the Maurice Richard Trophy for the second time in three seasons. In addition, he led the team in points during the '04 playoff run, illustrating the leadership that earned him the "C" on his sweater. Iginla's combination of pure skill and grit makes him one of those players who really could flourish under the new NHL rules. Management made sure Iginla will be a Flame for the near future, inking him to a three-year deal this summer.

In adding Amonte and McCarty the Flames have injected veteran prowess with two players trying to prove they can still get it done. Amonte isn't the 35-40- goal threat he once was, but in 2003-04 he managed to produce 20 goals and 33 assists in 80 games for the Flyers. McCarty, once the motor of the Red Wings' "Grind Line," has battled injury in recent years and is no longer counted on to be a double-digit goal scorer. If he can give the team hard-nosed play from the third or fourth line, Sutter will be happy.

Center Daymond Langkow was obtained by the Flames via trade during the 2004 offseason. After some years of injury and inconsistency, Langkow really put things together during his three seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes. He played at least 80 games in all three campaigns, averaging 22 goals and 33 assists. Despite being only 5-11, 185 pounds, the former fifth overall pick plays with an edge and isn't afraid of getting physical in front of the net.

Look for right wing Chuck Kobasew to take a step up in class this season. The 14th overall pick in the '01 Entry Draft, he will play in his second full campaign with the Flames. In 03-04 he posted six goals and 11 assists in 70 games, but he erupted with the kind of showing the team is looking for last year during the lockout. In 79 games for the Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL, Kobasew posted 38 goals and 37 assists with 110 penalty minutes as well. The kid is expected to be a star, and this could be the year we see it.

The Flames do have a void to fill with the loss of center Craig Conroy, who is now with Los Angeles. The 34-year-old is one of the league's top defensive forwards, and he finished second on the Flames in scoring during 03-04.

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DEFENSE - The Flames' success in 2004 was anchored by a strong blueline corps that had been developing for several years. While players like Toni Lydman and Denis Gauthier were shipped elsewhere since the Finals run, Sutter still must love what he has in his stable now.

Hamrlik was the big addition during the offseason, bringing with him 12 seasons of experience as an upper-echelon offensive defenseman. However, he can be put on the ice in all situations, evident by his average of 25 minutes per-night over the last six seasons. Hamrlik's contribution to the Flames' power-play unit should be invaluable, as he has tallied 53 of his 117 career goals with the man advantage.

Another anticipated addition is that of rookie Dion Phaneuf, who should make his professional debut after spending the past four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (Canadian Junior). Last campaign with the Rebels he posted 24 goals and 32 assists in 55 games, and continued to play defense with a wrecking ball's mentality. There will be some adjustments to the NHL game, but he will eventually be in one of the Flames' top-two pairings.

Robyn Regehr is the team's top defender and workhorse, while Jordan Leopold should continue developing both his offensive and defensive games. Rhett Warrener and Andrew Ference round out a group that should be the base of any success the team enjoys this season.

GOALTENDING - Kiprusoff was essentially stolen from the San Jose Sharks, who were happy with their other two netminders. He joined the Flames early in 03-04 and started 38 games, going 24-10-4 with a 1.70 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. He carried it over to the playoffs with a 15-11 mark and 1.85 GAA in 26 games.

We'll have to wait and see if Kiprusoff can post the lowest goals-against average since 1940 once again, but it's safe to say that the Flames have found their man. And it only cost them a conditional draft pick.

Veteran Roman Turek retired following the lockout, and Sutter acquired Philip Sauve from Colorado to back up Kiprusoff. In 2003-04, Sauve went 7-7-3 with a 3.04 goals-against average in 17 games.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - The Flames have re-tooled their defense and have Iginla back to lead the attack. More importantly, Sutter has built this team to be successful for the long haul. Many of the key components are still relatively young, and there are enough veterans sprinkled in to hold things together. They might not be primed for another Cup run, but this team will be successful for the foreseeable future.

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