The forwards

Line 1 – Gaudreau – Lindholm – Tkachuk

We start with the top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk, all from their historic 2021-22 campaigns. It was one of the great seasons by an individual line in the salary cap era of the NHL. Three 40 goal scorers. Two 100 point getters. They outscored their opposition 73-31 at 5-on-5. All three forwards led the NHL in plus/minus. On top of all that they were incredibly fun to watch for the fans. There is no doubt that these three would be the top line on this dream team.

Line 2 – Cammalleri – Langkow – Iginla

Mike Cammalleri, Daymond Langkow, Jarome Iginla make up a dangerous offensive line for this Flames dream team. Iginla is the greatest player in franchise history. No explanation why he is on this team. And he showed great chemistry with both Langkow and Cammalleri at various points of his career in Calgary. Both Cammalleri (08-09) and Langkow (06-07) had the best years of their career with the Flames putting up 82 and 77 points respectively.

Line 3 – Tanguay – Monahan – Hudler

Alex Tanguay, Sean Monahan, and Jiri Hudler make a similar line to what the Flames had in the 2014-15 season when Gaudreau was on the left side of Monahan and Hudler. This line has the high end playmaker in Tanguay playing with an elite scorer in Monahan. And Hudler’s all around game complements his linemates.

Line 4 – Huselius – Kadri – Toffoli

This would be a sneaky good line in today’s NHL. Huselius is one of the more underrated Flames from the salary cap era. Kadri is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He was a beast on a bad Flames team last season. Toffoli completes the trio. He is one of the more natural goal scorers to play for the Flames in the last 19 years. These are three smart, talented, offencive minded players who I think would have some solid chemistry.

The defence

First Pairing – Giordano (18-19) – Brodie (14-15)

A first pairing on a Calgary Flames dream team needs to include Mark Giordano from his Norris Trophy winning 2018-19 season. Giordano is the only defenceman in franchise history to win the Norris. And who was by Giordano’s side for his best seasons in Calgary? It was T.J.Brodie. Those two comprised one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL in the mid 2010’s. There was talk about whether or not they would be considered to play for team Canada at a world cup or Olympics during that time. We’re there better right side defenders on the Flames in the cap era? Yeah, there were. but his chemistry with Giordano is the reason why he is on the first pair.

Second Pairing – Phaneuf (07-08) – Weegar (23-24) 

Dion Phaneuf was a dominate force on the ice in first three seasons with the Calgary Flames. His best season was his third year in the NHL (07-08) where he put up 60 points and 182 penalty minutes. Phaneuf was a feared hitter, would drop the gloves, and rip one timers past goaltenders on the power play. He had to be on this team. MacKenzie Weegar had an outstanding 2023-24 campaign with the Calgary Flames. He was the first Flames defenceman since Phaneuf to score 20 goals in a season and set a career high in points with 52. He and Phaneuf could make a dynamic, physical defence pairing.

Third Pairing – Regehr (06-07) – Hamilton (17-18)

Robyn Regehr was one of the more feared shutdown defencemen in the NHL in the mid 2000’s. Regehr was so respected across the NHL that he represented Canada at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006 Winter Olympics. He was a beast during this time of his career. Just ask Ales Hemsky.

The third pairing right shot defence spot came down to Dougie Hamilton or Rasmus Andersson. i ended up picking Hamilton because of his underlying numbers, goal scoring ability, and size. Hamilton and Regehr could work well off each other. Regehr could be the shutdown, stay at home presence. He would allow Hamilton to take more risks and join the rush which would allow him to take advantage of the strengths of his game.

The goalies

Starter – Kiprusoff (05-06)

Backup – Markstrom (21-22)

This was by far the easiest decision to make when putting together this roster. Miikka Kiprusoff is the greatest goalie in Flames franchise history and is the only goalie to win the Vezina Trophy. Kipper was the backbone of the team for his entire run with the Flames. Calgary would not have been anywhere near as successful as they were had Kiprusoff not been in the Flames crease.

Jacob Markstrom had an incredible 2021-22 season. He finished second in Vezina Trophy voting and was part of the one of the best regular season teams in franchise history. Essentially there was Kiprusoff, then Markstrom, and then a huge drop off to the next goalie on the list.

There you have it. The ultimate Calgary Flames roster from the salary cap era.