[JohnnyB]

If the Flames weren't benefiting from having him on the team back in the day, they could have let him go. I would assume there was at least some compassion involved from the organization at the time, but I don't believe that they were keeping him around just out of the goodness of their hearts. He may have been difficult for them, but without him there may not have even been a Calgary Flames anymore. Difficult situation for both sides. Both sides suffered some and benefited plenty. For the fans though, Theo was the heart of the team for years. The value of the Flames exists largely in having a fan base, and Theo contributed a huge amount to that, especially when the organization was on the ropes and potentially facing starting over in a new city. He has a special and irreplaceable place in the history of the Flames and the hearts of many fans. Add on to that his all-time great stats for the team and I think he deserves to have his number up there, regardless of whether or not it was an imperfect employment situation.

Really, summing up the influence of both his words and actions on and off the ice, there is still no doubt that Theo is one of the top all-time contributors to the Flames as a hockey team and as an organization that depends upon fans.