2004–05 Calgary Flames season

The 2004–05 Calgary Flames season was the 25th National Hockey League season in Calgary. All games of this season were cancelled as the 2004–05 NHL lockout could not be resolved in time. As a result, the Flames were unable to raise their Western Conference championship banner until the start of 2005–06 season.

2004–05 Calgary Flames
DivisionNorthwest
ConferenceWestern
2004–05 recordDid not play
Team information
General managerDarryl Sutter
CoachDarryl Sutter
CaptainJarome Iginla
ArenaPengrowth Saddledome
Minor league affiliate(s)Lowell Lockmonsters (AHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL)

NHL lockout

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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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3]

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:

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.[4] 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.

Schedule

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2004–05 schedule[5][6]
Preseason
Game Date Opponent
1 September 24 @ Chicago Blackhawks
2 September 25 Vancouver Canucks
3 September 28 Edmonton Oilers
4 September 30 Chicago Blackhawks
5 October 1 @ Edmonton Oilers
6 October 3 @ Edmonton Oilers
7 October 7 Edmonton Oilers
8 October 8 @ Vancouver Canucks
Regular season
Game Date Opponent
1 October 13 @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks
2 October 15 @ Los Angeles Kings
3 October 17 @ Edmonton Oilers
4 October 19 Vancouver Canucks
5 October 21 St. Louis Blues
6 October 23 Columbus Blue Jackets
7 October 26 @ Vancouver Canucks
8 October 29 @ Colorado Avalanche
9 October 30 @ Phoenix Coyotes
10 November 2 Nashville Predators
11 November 4 Colorado Avalanche
12 November 6 Edmonton Oilers
13 November 9 Anaheim Mighty Ducks
14 November 11 @ Tampa Bay Lightning
15 November 12 @ Florida Panthers
16 November 14 @ Carolina Hurricanes
17 November 18 Nashville Predators
18 November 20 Chicago Blackhawks
19 November 23 @ St. Louis Blues
20 November 24 @ Detroit Red Wings
21 November 26 Colorado Avalanche
22 November 28 @ Minnesota Wild
23 November 30 Toronto Maple Leafs
24 December 2 @ Vancouver Canucks
25 December 3 Columbus Blue Jackets
26 December 5 @ Colorado Avalanche
27 December 7 Edmonton Oilers
28 December 9 Vancouver Canucks
29 December 11 Detroit Red Wings
30 December 14 @ Edmonton Oilers
31 December 16 @ Ottawa Senators
32 December 18 @ Toronto Maple Leafs
33 December 21 Edmonton Oilers
34 December 27 Minnesota Wild
35 December 29 Philadelphia Flyers
36 December 31 Montreal Canadiens
37 January 3 San Jose Sharks
38 January 6 @ Nashville Predators
39 January 7 @ Minnesota Wild
40 January 9 @ Columbus Blue Jackets
41 January 11 Dallas Stars
42 January 14 Ottawa Senators
43 January 16 @ Chicago Blackhawks
44 January 17 @ Pittsburgh Penguins
45 January 19 @ Detroit Red Wings
46 January 21 New York Islanders
47 January 23 Anaheim Mighty Ducks
48 January 25 @ Dallas Stars
49 January 27 @ Phoenix Coyotes
50 January 29 New Jersey Devils
51 February 1 San Jose Sharks
52 February 3 New York Rangers
53 February 5 Detroit Red Wings
54 February 7 @ Edmonton Oilers
55 February 8 Phoenix Coyotes
56 February 10 Vancouver Canucks
57 February 16 @ Los Angeles Kings
58 February 17 @ San Jose Sharks
59 February 19 @ Vancouver Canucks
60 February 24 Minnesota Wild
61 February 26 Boston Bruins
62 March 1 @ St. Louis Blues
63 March 2 @ Dallas Stars
64 March 4 @ Chicago Blackhawks
65 March 6 @ Atlanta Thrashers
66 March 8 @ Nashville Predators
67 March 10 Chicago Blackhawks
68 March 12 St. Louis Blues
69 March 15 Minnesota Wild
70 March 17 Phoenix Coyotes
71 March 19 @ Colorado Avalanche
72 March 20 @ Minnesota Wild
73 March 22 Washington Capitals
74 March 24 Los Angeles Kings
75 March 26 @ Montreal Canadiens
76 March 27 @ Buffalo Sabres
77 March 30 @ Columbus Blue Jackets
78 April 2 Dallas Stars
79 April 4 Los Angeles Kings
80 April 6 @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks
81 April 7 @ San Jose Sharks
82 April 10 Colorado Avalanche

Transactions

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The Flames were involved in the following transactions from June 8, 2004, the day after the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals, through February 16, 2005, the day the 2004–05 season was officially cancelled.[7]

Trades

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Date Details Ref
June 25, 2004 (2004-06-25) To Calgary Flames
  • 1st-round pick in 2004
  • 2nd-round pick in 2004
To New York Rangers
  • 1st-round pick in 2004
  • 8th-round pick in 2004
[8]
June 26, 2004 (2004-06-26) To Calgary Flames
  • 3rd-round pick in 2004
  • 3rd-round pick in 2004
To Columbus Blue Jackets
  • 2nd-round pick in 2004
[8]
August 26, 2004 (2004-08-26) To Calgary Flames
To Phoenix Coyotes
[9]

Players acquired

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Date Player Former team Term Via Ref
July 2, 2004 (2004-07-02) Byron Ritchie Florida Panthers 3-year Free agency [10][11]
July 6, 2004 (2004-07-06) Carsen Germyn Norfolk Admirals (AHL) Free agency [12]
Mark Giordano Owen Sound Attack (OHL) Free agency [12]
Davin Heintz Swift Current Broncos (WHL) Free agency [12]
Dustin Johner South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) Free agency [12]
Patrik Nilson Laredo Bucks (CHL) Free agency [12]
Richie Regehr Portland Winter Hawks (WHL) Free agency [12]
Justin Taylor Red Deer Rebels (WHL) Free agency [12]
August 5, 2004 (2004-08-05) Jason Wiemer Minnesota Wild 3-year Free agency [13][14]
September 7, 2004 (2004-09-07) Sebastien Centomo Toronto Maple Leafs Free agency [15]
September 15, 2004 (2004-09-15) Anders Eriksson Columbus Blue Jackets Free agency [16]

Players lost

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Date Player New team Via[a] Ref
July 1, 2004 (2004-07-01) Dave Lowry[b] Contract expiration (III) [17]
Jesse Wallin[c] Contract expiration (VI) [17]
Brad Werenka[d] Contract expiration (III) [17]
July 6, 2004 (2004-07-06) Craig Conroy Los Angeles Kings Free agency (III) [22]
July 15, 2004 (2004-07-15) Krzysztof Oliwa New Jersey Devils Free agency (III) [23]
September 2, 2004 (2004-09-02) Petr Buzek HC Dukla Jihlava (ELH) Free agency (UFA) [24]
Martin Sonnenberg Phoenix Coyotes Free agency (VI) [25]
September 25, 2004 (2004-09-25) Dany Sabourin Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) Free agency (UFA) [26]
October 5, 2004 (2004-10-05) Dean McAmmond Albany River Rats (AHL) Free agency (III) [27]

Signings

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Date Player Term Contract type Ref
July 1, 2004 (2004-07-01) Ville Nieminen 1-year Option exercised [14]
July 2, 2004 (2004-07-02) Chris Simon 1-year Re-signing [28][11]
July 20, 2004 (2004-07-20) Marcus Nilson 3-year Re-signing [29][11]
July 26, 2004 (2004-07-26) Mike Commodore 2-year Re-signing [30][14]
August 3, 2004 (2004-08-03) Denis Gauthier 2-year Re-signing [31][11]
August 18, 2004 (2004-08-18) Jordan Leopold 1-year Re-signing [32][14]
August 23, 2004 (2004-08-23) Miikka Kiprusoff 1-year Arbitration award [33]
September 15, 2004 (2004-09-15) Lynn Loyns Re-signing [34]
Dion Phaneuf Entry-level [35]

Draft picks

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Calgary's picks at the 2004 NHL entry draft held at Raleigh, North Carolina.[36] The Flames had the 24th overall pick in the draft, the first time they picked outside of the top 20 since 1995.

Rnd Pick Player Nationality Position Team (league) NHL statistics
GP G A Pts PIM
1 24 Kris Chucko   Canada LW Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) 2 0 0 0 2
3 70 Brandon Prust   Canada C London Knights (OHL) 486 40 75 115 1036
3 98 Dustin Boyd   Canada C Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) 220 32 31 63 41
4 118 Aki Seitsonen   Finland C Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
4 121 Kris Hogg   Canada LW Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
6 173 Adam Pardy   Canada D Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) 342 4 48 52 269
6 182 Fred Wikner   Sweden F Frolunda Jr.
7 200 Matthew Schneider   Canada C Tri-City Americans (WHL)
7 213 James Spratt   United States G Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
9 279 Adam Cracknell   Canada RW Kootenay Ice (WHL) 210 21 22 43 46

Farm teams

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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.

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.

Notes

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  1. ^ In parentheses is the player’s free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[17]
  2. ^ Lowry was inactive during the 2004–05 season and announced his retirement on August 10, 2005.[18][19]
  3. ^ Wallin retired.[20]
  4. ^ Werenka, who last played during the 2000–01 season, retired.[21]

References

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  1. ^ NHL, NHLPA meeting in Chicago, cbc.ca, Accessed November 27, 2006
  2. ^ Owner Harley Hotchkiss inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame[permanent dead link], Calgary Flames press release, accessed November 27, 2006
  3. ^ Flames' Commodore would accept cap, tsn.ca, October 28, 2004
  4. ^ WHL records Archived 2007-08-13 at the Wayback Machine, whl.ca, accessed November 27, 2006
  5. ^ "Flames to play Vancouver, Edmonton and Chicago in pre-season action". Calgary Flames. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  6. ^ "Calgary Flames 2004-05 National Hockey League Schedule". Calgary Flames. Archived from the original on August 5, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "Hockey Transactions Search Results". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Flames get their type of players at NHL draft". Calgary Flames. June 28, 2004. Archived from the original on July 8, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "FLAMES ACQUIRE DAYMNOD LANGKOW FROM COYOTES". Calgary Flames. August 26, 2004. Archived from the original on November 18, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Flames sign centre Byron Ritchie". Calgary Flames. July 2, 2004. Archived from the original on August 5, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d "Calgary Flames contract status for 2004-05 NHL season". Calgary Flames. Archived from the original on August 5, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "CALGARY FLAMES SIGN FREE AGENTS". Calgary Flames. July 6, 2004. Archived from the original on August 6, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "FLAMES SIGN FORWARD JASON WIEMER". Calgary Flames. August 5, 2004. Archived from the original on August 20, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d "Calgary Flames contract status for 2004-05 NHL season". Calgary Flames. Archived from the original on February 21, 2005. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "FLAMES SIGN GOALTENDER SEBASTIEN CENTOMO". Calgary Flames. September 7, 2004. Archived from the original on November 18, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "FLAMES SIGN DEFENCEMAN ANDERS ERIKSSON". Calgary Flames. September 15, 2004. Archived from the original on November 18, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d "2004 free agents". ESPN.com. July 1, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  18. ^ Dave Lowry career statistics at EliteProspects.com, retrieved April 13, 2022
  19. ^ "Lowry retires, joins Hitmen as assistant coach". Calgary Flames. August 10, 2005. Archived from the original on December 13, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  20. ^ Jesse Wallin career statistics at EliteProspects.com, retrieved April 13, 2022
  21. ^ Brad Werenka career statistics at EliteProspects.com, retrieved April 13, 2022
  22. ^ "Kings sign C Conroy away from Flames". ESPN.com. July 6, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  23. ^ "Oliwa a Devil again". CBC. July 15, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  24. ^ Streichsbierová, Eva (September 2, 2004). "Obránce Petr Buzek se vrací domů" (in Czech). HC Dukla Jihlava. Archived from the original on October 21, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  25. ^ "Coyotes Sign Six Players to AHL Contracts". OurSports Central. September 2, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "More Inkings: AHL Pens Sign Ten". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. September 25, 2004. Archived from the original on March 22, 2005. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  27. ^ "NHL veteran opts for stint in minors". ESPN.com. October 5, 2004. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  28. ^ "Flames re-sign big winger Chris Simon". Calgary Flames. July 2, 2004. Archived from the original on August 7, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  29. ^ "FLAMES SIGN FORWARD MARCUS NILSON". Calgary Flames. July 20, 2004. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  30. ^ "Flames sign defenceman Mike Commodore". Calgary Flames. July 26, 2004. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "Arbitration avoided: Gauthier and the Flames reach agreement". Calgary Flames. August 3, 2004. Archived from the original on August 8, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  32. ^ "FLAMES SIGN DEFENCEMAN JORDAN LEOPOLD". Calgary Flames. August 18, 2004. Archived from the original on August 20, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  33. ^ "Kipper is back with one-year contract". Calgary Flames. August 23, 2004. Archived from the original on August 24, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  34. ^ "Forward Lynn Loyns signs with Calgary". Calgary Flames. September 15, 2004. Archived from the original on October 9, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  35. ^ "FLAMES SIGN DEFENCEMAN DION PHANEUF". Calgary Flames. September 15, 2004. Archived from the original on November 18, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  36. ^ 2004 NHL Entry Draft results Archived April 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, nhl.com, accessed November 27, 2006