Author
Jeff Parker is an sports writer for BetCanada.com. Jeff lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and provides news and analysis of the latest developments in professional sports media, with an emphasis on the NHL and the CFL.
Calgary Flames’ Quarter-Century Team: The Most Impactful Players Since 2000
It’s hard to imagine a more heartbreaking season than the one experienced by the Calgary Flames in 2024-25. They finished 41-27-14, with 96 points, tying the record for the most points earned by a team that failed to make the playoffs.
After such a disappointing result, who could blame Flames fans for dreaming of better days?
With that in mind, BetCanada.com continues our Canada sports betting coverage by looking back over the past 25 years of Calgary Flames rosters and draft the best possible team from that cohort. See our methodology below:
Must be 19+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly.
Centres
Player | Years With Team | Quarter-Century Point Shares |
Mikael Backlund | 2008-Present | 52.9 |
Sean Monahan | 2013-2022 | 49.5 |
Elias Lindholm | 2018-2024 | 39.3 |
Daymond Langkow | 2005-2011 | 32.1 |
To make our selections, we used Hockey-Reference.com’s Point Share metric, an advanced stat that measures each player’s relative contribution to their team’s success. Only stats accumulated since 2000, while the player was on the Flames, were considered.
This analysis is exclusive to BetCanada.com, where you’ll find top Canada sports betting promo codes to help you when you sign up with an operator.
Manning the top line of our Calgary Flames quarter-century team is Michael Backlund at centre, with Johnny Gaudreau and Jerome Ignlia flanking him on the left and right wing, respectively. That is a trio of true Flames legends. This list was assembled like a real team’s lineup, with 12 forwards – four at each position – six defensemen and two goaltenders.
Backlund has been with the team since he was drafted by them in 2007 and he has donned the captain’s “C” on his jersey since 2023. With 52.9 career point shares, he edges out Sean Monahan (49.5 point shares from 2013-2022) for the staring spot.
Turn to our Canada sportsbook apps for reviews you can use.
Left Wings
Player | Years With Team | Quarter-Century Point Shares |
Johnny Gaudreau | 2013-2022 | 68.5 |
Matthew Tkachuk | 2016-2022 | 44.7 |
Alex Tanguay | 2006-2008, 2010-2013 | 29.4 |
Curtis Glencross | 2008-2015 | 25.6 |
Then there’s Johnny Gaudreau, who will forever hold a special place in the heart of Flames fans. Nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” Gaudreau began his career in Calgary in 2013 shortly after he won the prestigious Hobey Baker Award as the best NCAA men’s player. He spent nine seasons with the Flames before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.
Johnny and his brother Matthew died tragically last summer when they were struck by a vehicle while bicycling near the brothers’ hometown in New Jersey.
Right Wings
Player | Years With Team | Quarter-Century Point Shares |
Jarome Iginla | 2000-2012 | 111.6 |
Jiri Hudler | 2012-2016 | 21.8 |
Blake Coleman | 2021-Present | 16.7 |
Michael Frolik | 2015-2020 | 14.0 |
Meanwhile, Iginla played 16 seasons with the Calgary Flames, and was a pivotal part of the 2003-04 team that went all the way to the Stanley Cup final, ultimately losing in Game 7 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also leads all Calgary players on our dream team by a wide margin, with a 111.6 Quarter-Century Point Share. According to hockey-reference.com that’s the highest in Flames history, regardless of era, stretching back to the franchise’s founding in Atlanta in 1972. Iginla was also Calgary’s captain for nine seasons, the most in team history.
Must be 19+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly.
Defensemen
Player | Years With Team | Quarter-Century Point Shares |
Mark Giordano | 2005-2021 | 98.1 |
T.J. Brodie | 2010-2020 | 48.2 |
Dion Phaneuf | 2006-2010 | 42.6 |
Robyn Regehr | 2000-2011 | 39.5 |
Rasmus Andersson | 2016-Present | 36.7 |
Noah Hanifin | 2018-2024 | 33.5 |
Blue-liners Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie earn the top defensive pairing on our team, bringing a lot of shared history to our quarter-century squad. Giordano and Brodie played together for 10 seasons in Calgary, making a major impact together on both offence and defence while displaying excellent chemistry on ice together. In fact, Giordano’s Norris Trophy win came after the 2018-19 season, which saw him paired almost exclusively alongside Brodie. Rasmus Andersson (36.7 PS) joins Backlund and right wing Blake Coleman as one of three current Flames on this list.
When next season starts, we’ll have Calgary Flames odds updated at BetCanada.
Goaltenders
Player | Years With Team | Quarter-Century Point Shares |
Miikka Kiprusoff | 2003-2013 | 104.6 |
Jacob Markstrom | 2020-2024 | 33.8 |
Finally, Miikka Kiprusoff earns the start between the pipes on our dream team of the best Calgary players since 2000. The Finnish goaltender spent a decade manning the crease for the Flames. During his tenure, “Kipper” only allowed a regular season goals-against average above 3.00 and/or a save percentage below .900 one time, which was during his final season before retirement in 2012-13.
The current Stanley Cup odds are at BetCanada.com, with the Hurricanes (who lead their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils 2-0) as the current favorite. Carolina has odds between +500 and +575, depending on the operator.
USA Today photo by Perry Nelson