2000–01 Calgary Flames season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=2000–01
Team=Calgary Flames
Conference=Western
ConferenceRank=11th
Division=Northwest Division
DivisionRank=4th
Record=27–36–15–4
HomeRecord=12–18–9–2
RoadRecord=15–18–6–2
GoalsFor=197 (25th)
GoalsAgainst=236 (20th)
GeneralManager=Craig Button
Coach=Don Hay
Greg Gilbert
Captain=Steve Smith (Oct-Dec.)
Dave Lowry (Dec-Apr)
AltCaptain= "Unknown"
"Unknown"
Arena=Pengrowth Saddledome
Attendance=16,623
GoalsLeader=Jarome Iginla (31)
AssistsLeader=Marc Savard (42)
PointsLeader= Jarome Iginla (71)
PIMLeader=Jason Wiemer (177)
WinsLeader=Fred Brathwaite (15)
GAALeader=Fred Brathwaite (2.32)

The 2000–01 Calgary Flames season was the 21st National Hockey League season in Calgary. It was a season for change, as longtime General Manager Al Coates was let go by the Flames shortly before the draft, and replaced with highly touted Craig Button, previously with the Dallas Stars. [McGrath, D'Arcy, [http://www.calgarypuck.com/McGrath_060700.htm Craig Button Named New GM] , calgarypuck.com, Accessed January 10, 2007] Head Coach Brian Sutter was also let go, replaced by rookie coach Don Hay. Hay would only last 68 games before being fired, and replaced with Greg Gilbert. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2001/05/01/gilbert010501.html Gilbert gets Flames' reins] , cbcsports, October 19, 2001, accessed January 10, 2007]

The off-season also featured a "Save the Flames" ticket drive campaign, as owners warned that the team could be sold in the face of declining attendance and the pressures of doing business in American Dollars while earning revenues in Canadian Dollars. The threats brought fears of the Flames moving south, as the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets had in previous seasons. The goal was to increase the Flames season ticket base from its 1999–00 low of 8,700 to 14,000. The drive was ultimately successful, with the team reaching its ticket goal, and acquiring a new title sponsor for the Saddledome, as Pengrowth Management took over the naming rights from the defunct Canadian Airlines. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2000/06/29/flames000629.html Flames reach season ticket goal] , CBC Sports, November 10, 2000]

On the ice, the Flames continued to struggle, failing to win more than three consecutive games at any point. While their top three forwards: Jarome Iginla, Valeri Bure and Marc Savard scored 91 goals between then, only two other players even reached double digit goals on the season. Calgary finished with a 27–36–15–4 record, fourth in the division, ahead of only the expansion Minnesota Wild. The Flames missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

The 2000–01 season was also notable in retrospect, as the Flames lost two players who would later go onto stardom for virtually nothing. Ineffective forward Martin St. Louis was released as a free agent, while goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere was dealt to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for a 2nd round draft pick when the Flames found themselves with too many goaltenders heading into the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft. [Picarello, Robert, [http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/indepth/giguere/time.html Time makes difference for Giguere] , nhl.com, October 15, 2003, accessed January 10, 2007]

In the expansion draft, which was held in Calgary, the Flames lost defenceman Filip Kuba to the Minnesota Wild, 15th overall, and Sergei Krivokrasov, also to the Wild 32nd overall. The Columbus Blue Jackets did not select a player off of Calgary's roster.

Regular season

eason standings

December

March-April

Transactions

The Flames were involved in the following transactions during the 2000–01 season. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/features/2000/preview/flames/ Calgary Flames 2000–01 season preview] , cnnsi.com, accessed January 10, 2007]

Trades

Draft picks

Calgary's picks at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, held in Calgary. [2000 NHL Entry Draft Results [http://www.nhl.com/futures/2000draft/round1.html nhl.com] - accessed December 29, 2006] The Flames played to the home crowd, selecting Brent Krahn of the Calgary Hitmen with their first pick, 9th overall.

Farm teams

aint John Flames

The 2000–01 AHL season was the eighth season for the Saint John Flames, all affiliated with the Flames. It was a record setting year, as the Baby Flames ran away with the Canadian Division, finishing third overall in the league with a 44–24–7–5 record, good for 100 points. Saint John swept through the Portland Pirates, Quebec Citadelles and Providence Bruins by a combinded 12–2 record. The Flames captured their only Calder Cup by defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4 games to 2. [ [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php3?league=AHL1941&season=2001&leaguenm=AHL 2001 Calder Cup Playoffs] , hockeydb.com, accessed January 10, 2007] Steve Begin won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP.

ee also

*2000–01 NHL season

References

*Player stats: 2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide, pg 111
*Game log: 2006–07 Calgary Flames Media Guide, pg 135
*Team standings: [http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings NHL standings] on espn.com