[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I've had the good fortune to see them all. I voted for Lanny in first place, and all the reasons people have given, I think, are good ones. He was the face of the franchise, and kept the Saddledome filled through the worst economic times of the 80s (which was no easy feat). I remember wondering who was going to sell tickets for the Flames when he was gone.

The late Brad McCrimmon was a terrific defenceman and a good on-ice leader, but I rate him the worst of the captains. He was elected captain by the players during the 1989-90 season, and before the season was over he led the rebellion in the dressing room that forced the team to fire Terry Crisp. That team visibly and obviously quit on the coach, and did it in the middle of the first round of playoffs to defend the Stanley Cup. It was a disgraceful display of spite and poor sportsmanship. There's plenty of blame to go round (and some does belong to Crisp), but a big share has to go to the captain who orchestrated the revolt.

In other times and circumstances, I'm sure McCrimmon could have been a good captain. But the things he actually did while wearing the C, in my opinion, started the Flames' decline from the championship team to an also-ran. I believe it is no coincidence that that group of players never found a way to win a playoff round again.

Interesting indeed. I was only 3 at the time so I had no clue about that.