It was a tough time for the organization, as per the reasons that CliffFletcher pointed out.
I myself always knew that as soon as one of 'our' players became really good, Calgary wouldn't be able to afford him and he would eventually be traded, and usually for peanuts. It was really like watching a farm team for other teams, or a feeder team of sorts.
I also think that this team was mismanaged at the time as well. They could have done a better job in assembling decent talent that could compete a bit more.
When Darryl Sutter came to the organization, boy did he breathe a lot of positive air into it. Say what you will about 'meddling owners', but at least he got them excited for hockey again, and willing to spend to become a good team. That included a farm team and more scouts (Tod Button was basically it, along with a couple of part time scouts IIRC).
The counter argument was that it was bound to happen eventually with the way the Canadian dollar rebounded, 'so of course the owners would start spending'. I don't think that was a given.
I think a huge nod should also go to the late Ken King. I am sure he was a huge part of that change and showing the owners that the Flames could be run as a business and be profitable.
For all we know, the owners might have just sold the team somewhere else as soon as they could by that point, sick with the lack of support and how terrible the team was top to bottom.
It didn't just feel like the Flames were a farm team. It felt like at any time, they were going to up and leave for greener pastures.
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