1988–89 Calgary Flames season
The regular season saw the debut of Theoren Fleury, who went on to become the Flames' all-time leading scorer, and Sergei Pryakhin, who became the first Soviet player allowed to play in the NHL.
He ended his Hockey Hall of Fame career by scoring a goal in the game that clinched the Stanley Cup before announcing his retirement in the summer.
Mike Bullard finished the 1987–88 season second in team scoring at 103 points, but his disappointing performance during the playoffs left general manager Cliff Fletcher desiring a trade.
[1] The team maintained its defensive focus throughout the season, allowing 79 fewer goals – just under one per game less – than in 1987–88, surrendering a franchise record low total of 226.
[4] The team also went unbeaten in its first 17 home games, compiling a 14–0–3 record in that time that featured victories of 11–4 over the Los Angeles Kings, 6–1 over the St. Louis Blues and 9–0 over the Hartford Whalers.
After winning only one of five games towards the end of December, the team recalled two players from their minor league affiliate, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.
He was leading the International Hockey League in scoring with 74 points in 40 games at the time of his recall,[7] and immediately became a fan favourite in Calgary for his aggressive style despite his small, 5' 6" stature.
Calgary produced an uninspired effort in the opening game that resulted in a 4–3 loss as former Flame Paul Reinhart scored the winner for Vancouver in overtime.
[24] With less than a minute remaining in the first overtime period, Jim Peplinski fired a wide-angle shot towards the Vancouver goal that deflected off Joel Otto's skate and into the net, winning the game and series for the Flames.
[28] Calgary won their second Clarence S. Campbell Bowl in franchise history as conference champions, and advanced to the Stanley Cup championship to face the Montreal Canadiens in a rematch of the 1986 final.
The final opened in Calgary where the Flames emerged with a 3–2 win on the strength of two Al MacInnis goals before Montreal evened the series with a 4–2 victory in game two.
[34] Doug Gilmour added two third period goals, including the eventual winner, as the Flames won the Stanley Cup by a 4–2 score.
[31] Al MacInnis was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player of the playoffs, and with 31 points became the first defenceman to lead the league in post-season scoring.
Mike Bullard, who scored 103 points for the Flames the season previous, feared that the team was set to trade him, but admitted that he was still shocked when Calgary sent him to the St. Louis Blues along with Craig Coxe and a prospect on September 5, 1988.
[2] The Flames then sent oft-injured defenceman Paul Reinhart to the Vancouver Canucks with Steve Bozek in exchange for a draft pick the following day.
Calgary made the second deal to alleviate a glut of veteran players and to give young defencemen Brian Glynn and Dana Murzyn greater responsibility.
[48] The Flames made one deal at the trade deadline, sending Shane Churla and Perry Berezan to the Minnesota North Stars for rugged winger Brian MacLellan and a draft pick.
Calgary made the deal anticipating that MacLellan's size would help the team compete with some of their larger opponents within the Smythe Division, and benefit the Flames' power play.
They hoped to make a trade to acquire a pick in the top ten as the team coveted Martin Gelinas and Teemu Selanne.
When Los Angeles selected Gelinas seventh overall, the Flames tried to pry the eighth pick from Chicago, but balked at the Blackhawks' demands.
general manager Cliff Fletcher noted that Pryakhin had been dropped from the Soviet national team, and figured that decision could make him eligible to join the Flames.
