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The idea for creating an all-decade team for the Flames came from the Puck Daddy himself, Greg Wyshynski.
Now, creating a team from the best players to wear the Flaming 'C' over the past 9.5 years is easy - I figured - because the team that we have on the ice today is probably the team with the best players in recent memory. I probably wouldn't sub in too many early-2000 Flames because we all know how well the first few years of the decade went. If you don't, it's probably because you drank to forget.
But just so you don't think/realize I'm lazy, I've given some reason for each.
| Forwards | ||
| Alex Tanguay - Nearly a point-per-game over two seasons as a Flame, Tanguay could fight Iginla for Savard's passes and I'd be alright with that. | Marc Savard - It's tough to get past his attitude, however you can't argue with what he's done since he left Calgary in 2003. How good would he look with Iginla today? | Jarome Iginla - No brainer. Not only is he the captain, the longest serving, and the highest scoring Flame of the decade; he's also has the most PIMs - so he could be on the top line or with the grinders. |
| Kristian Huselius - Probably the best puck-handler the Flames have ever had, they lost Kristian for greener pastures. In Columbus? Whatever. I'm thinking I need a shootout specialist so here he is. | Daymond Langkow - Yet another current Flame. Daymond spent a good chunk of time on the top line racking up points with Iggy, however he was born to be a second-line centre. | Rene Bourque - In just his second season with the Flames, Rene has earned his spot on the second line. Maybe that's a testament to his tenacity, maybe it's because the other choices were Bure and Nolan - who's to say? |
| David Moss - I want David Moss on my team just so I have someone willing to stand in front of the net. That's a pet peeve of mine... that, and one guy trying to carry the puck in alone on the power play. Do you see Jokinen on this all-decade team? I don't think so. | Craig Conroy - Second in scoring among current Flames, Craig is just what you want in a third-line centre. He kills penalties and can score, plus he has been with the team for most of the decade so there is a bit of a loyalty issue. | Valeri Bure - Although he was horrible without the puck, there were glimpses of his older brother in there from time to time. I'm pretty sure that Kristian Huselius and Valeri Bure are the same guy. So maybe I can't have them both on my team? |
| Craig Berube - Well, I can't have Iginla sitting in the box all night, and lord knows that guys like Huselius and Bure are going to need a little protection. | Stephane Yelle - Nicknamed 'Sandbox' because he was probably the best shot-blocker in the game, this is a guy I'd love to have centering my fourth line. | Owen Nolan - Maybe not one of the top-four right-wingers to play with the Flames this decade, however I'm constructing a team here, and a team needs a fourth line. |
| So close, yet so far: Olli Jokinen, Matthew Lombardi, Mike Cammalleri | ||
| Defencemen | ||
| Robyn Regehr - Arguably the best shut-down defenceman in the league today, if Robyn makes the Olympic team the Calgary Flames would represent half the defensive core of the Canadian Olympic Team. | Dion Phaneuf - Although he slid a little the past year, Dion is still a number 1 or 2 defenceman on any team in the league. He can score, hit and play a lot of minutes. I wish I could add 'play well in his own zone' to that list. | |
| Phil Housley - In his five seasons with the Flames, only one was in the 2000s so he just barely qualifies. We used to razz Phyllis like there was no tomorrow... I'm not really sure why. | Jay Bouwmeester - Yes, I know that Jay Bowmeester has only been a Flame for a few months, but would you cut him from your team? | |
| Toni Lydman - Although not at all reliable, Toni would be a great 5th or 6th defenceman. | Derek Morris - Derek never quite lived up to the hype, but as far as 5th or 6th defencemen are concerned I think he could hold his own. | |
| Denis Gauthier - Only Phaneuf causes more fear in the open ice. Plus he could chip in with a point or two, he would be the 7th D-man. | Guys I had to cut: Andrew Ference, Jordan Leopold, Rhett Warrener, Roman Hamrlik, Adrian Aucoin | |
| Goalies | ||
Miika Kiprusoff - One of the best goalies in the league over the past 5 years, enough said. |
Mike Vernon - Yes, he was still in Calgary in the early 2000s. We Calgarians have always hated Vernie and people often wonder why... it's because he always let in a soft goal. He couldn't be trusted. But he won, and that's why he's allowed to back up Kipper. Oh, and his 34 assists means he has been on the scoresheet more often than Cory Sarich. |
To the minors with you! Roman Turek |
Final thoughts: Flames fans, listen up. I've went through the rosters from the past 10 years and this is far and away the best team we've had in ages. So the time to jump on the bandwagon is now, when there is still room. Join me!
