The Calgary Flames are in the midst of their best season in decades. They clinched a playoff spot with 10 games remaining, and are in an ongoing battle for the Pacific Division crown. It’s a far cry from where the team was as recently as four seasons ago.
The last time the Flames were in legitimate divisional contention was 2005-06, when they captured the Northwest Division crown. During that campaign, 22-year-old minor league call-up Mark Giordano made his National Hockey League debut.
Following that season, the Flames entered into a gradual decline as their veteran core aged.