2004–05 Calgary Flames season

The 2004–05 Calgary Flames season would have been 25th National Hockey League season in Calgary, however it was cancelled as the 2004–05 NHL lockout could not be resolved in time to save the season. As a result, the Flames were unable to raise their Western Conference Championship banner until the start of 2005–06 season.

NHL lockout

Flames owner, and NHL Chairman of the Board, Harley Hotchkiss was a key figure in the resolution of the labour dispute. Initially taking a low key role, Hotchkiss was thrust into the spotlight when he was invited by NHLPA president Trevor Linden to last ditch meeting in January 2005 to save the season. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/01/18/nhl-nhlpa040118.html NHL, NHLPA meeting in Chicago] , cbc.ca, Accessed November 27, 2006] While that meeting was unsuccessful in resolving the dispute, the two would continue to meet until an agreement was finally hammered out on July 13, 2005. Hotchkiss' role in the negotiations was prominently mentioned when he was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006. [ [http://www.calgaryflames.com/cgi-bin/news/comments.cgi?type=newsroom&file_num=0000001009 Owner Harley Hotchkiss inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame] , Calgary Flames press release, accessed November 27, 2006]

Defenceman Mike Commodore created a stir early on in the lockout when he stated during a radio interview for The Fan 960 in Calgary that he would accept a salary cap if it meant resolving the lockout. [ [http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=102954&hubname= Flames' Commodore would accept cap] , tsn.ca, October 28, 2004] quote|I'll risk the slap on the wrist. I don't want to spend however long my career lasts playing here in the American Hockey League, so I think whatever it takes. It's got to be give and take on both sides, not one side can be making all the money. But if (a salary cap is) what it takes -- the sport has to go on -- so I'm going to say, yeah.

Commodore was also critical of the leadership of the NHLPA: quote|I don't think it's being handled well at all. The thing is, you look at the PA and who's in charge ... it's all the guys that have made $30 million playing this game. If there's never another game of hockey ... and they don't make another cent playing in the NHL, they're gonna be all right.

Unlike other players who made similar statements, Commodore never retracted his comments.

During the lockout, the Flames heavily promoted their Western Hockey League team, the Calgary Hitmen. The result was that the Hitmen obliterated the WHL record for attendance by over 40,000 with a season mark of 362,227. [ [http://www.whl.ca/records/?id=42 WHL records] , whl.ca, accessed November 27, 2006] . The mark would also set a CHL record. The Hitmen's average of 10,062 was the highest average of any junior or professional hockey team in North America.

Transactions

The Flames were involved in the following transactions before the lockout suspended all activity:

Trades

Draft picks

Calgary's picks at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft held at Raleigh, North Carolina. [ [http://www.nhl.com/draft/2004/round1.html 2004 NHL Entry Draft results] , nhl.com, accessed November 27, 2006] The Flames had the 24th overall pick in the draft, the first time they picked outside of the top 20 since 1995.

Farm teams

Lowell Lockmonsters

The Flames American Hockey League affiliate for the second year was the Lowell Lockmonsters, whom they shared with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lockmonsters finished with a franchise best record of 47–27–5–1, good for third in the Atlantic Division. The Lockmonsters would be bounced from the playoffs in the second round, however.

Chuck Kobasew led Lowell with a franchise record 38 goals, while Brent Krahn recorded six shutouts in only 35 games as he played backup to Carolina's top goaltending prospect, Cam Ward.

Las Vegas Wranglers

The Las Vegas Wranglers were the Flames ECHL affiliate for the second year in 2004–05. The second year club finished with a 31–33–8 record, missing the playoffs after finishing 7th in the West Division.

ee also

*2004–05 NHL season
*2004–05 NHL lockout

References