Flames Top-10 individual seasons: Number 7 - Joe Nieuwendyk

[burnin_vernon]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=883271

That Nieuwendyk would saunter up on stage and collect the Calder Trophy that the summer of ’88, he and his mates only 12 months away from Lord Stanley glory, was, heading into the big awards ‘do, nothing less than a foregone conclusion. Those 51 goals had topped all rookies and ranked fifth among all players. He finished tied for third in game winners, at eight, and his 31 power play snipes outpaced ‘em all.

He’d chased Mike Bossy’s freshman record of 53 down to the wire, falling inches short at the tape.

[albertGQ]

My favourite Flame growing up. Became a big fan of his. One of the best starts to a career in NHL history with 51, 51, 45 and 45 goal seasons.

Don't like how he left but glad he won a Cup with the Stars and go the Conn Smythe trophy to boot.

Great PP guy who could actually tip an Al MacInnis slapshot.

[JBR]

A favourite Nieuwendyk memory is him taking a high stick in front of the net on a Flames PP in Montreal. (88 or 89 season). Went to the ice, then took a MacInnis chopper to the ankle. Don't think he missed a shift. Tough as nails and a great Flame.

[getbak]

Joe "I score when I like" Nieuwendyk.

[FanIn80]

Wait... Joe Who?

[Sylvanfan]

He was pacing for another 45+ goal season in 93-94 had it not missing 20 games. 36 goals and 75 points in 64 games.

His best season from an individual standpoint though to me is 89-90. The team wasn't as good, and I still hate Denis Morel for blowing the no goal call in game 6. But Niewendyk was the teams top player that year.

[ricosuave]

I remember back in 1985 when the Flames drafted this 'nobody' and most people lost their ####. We traded Nilsson for this guy?!?!

Fortunately, he went on to become a pretty good player.

[Dion]

[Dion]

[Vulcan]

I always appreciate a player with a good back hand.

[StrykerSteve]

Loved Joey N. One of my fave players, for sure. His ability to tip point shots was second to none.

[JD]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I remember back in 1985 when the Flames drafted this 'nobody' and most people lost their ####.

Yeah, CP was unreadable that day....errr, what?

Nieuwendyk's immediate emergence was one of the things that pushed a pretty good club that almost won a Cup in 86 to a great club that had dynasty potential.

Nieuwendyk Makarov and Roberts is still one of the most dominant lines I can remember watching. That line had a little bit of everything. They could go end-to-end in a track meet, they could grind it out down low, they could play in their own zone, and if things got a little rough, Roberts could drop 'em with almost any of the middle weights.

[CroFlames]

Man I can't get enough of the Jofa and Cooper lids

[dissentowner]

Good old noodleknees

[redforever]

One of my all time favorite Flames...maybe my favorite. He had an uncanny skill in front of the net as well as for undressing goalies. And we was willing to take a beating to score those goals. In fact, Bearcat built him a flak jacket for his back to protect his back from all the slashes he took there.

And tough and gritty. I forget which playoff series it was now, before 1989 if I remember correctly, and Nieuwendyk took a slash to the mouth and lost some teeth. It was feared he was lost for the series and he might have missed a game, but he came back, with one of this big plastic cages attached to his helmet to protect his jaw, and continued on where he left off.

It was hard to elevate his play as he was such a good player but he always showed up when it really counted and got tough...in the playoffs...always a player to be contended with.

Any team that Nieuwendyck played on was automatically better.

And to this day, always the consummate gentleman, on and off the ice.

[868904]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I remember back in 1985 when the Flames drafted this 'nobody' and most people lost their ####. We traded Nilsson for this guy?!?!

Fortunately, he went on to become a pretty good player.

And sadly, barring a miracle trade return for Agostino or Klimchuk, the legacy of the Kent Nilsson trade will die.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by redforever

Any team that Nieuwendyck played on was automatically better.

He was such a key player and leader in Dallas that when they traded him the players had a revolt.

[nieuwy-89]

My favourite player as a kid. He was awesome in Calgary and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. I was lucky enough to meet him a few times and he was humble and friendly in person.

One of my favourite memories of him is watching the Flames play the Oilers in Edmonton, I recall an Oilers fan telling his buddy that the Oilers had nothing to worry about except for Nieuwendyk. Joe ended up scoring 2 or 3 goals that night and dominated the Oilers. Like other great Flames, he always seemed to elevate his game against the Oilers.

[darthma]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

He was such a key player and leader in Dallas that when they traded him the players had a revolt.

I never heard this. Can you expand?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by darthma

I never heard this. Can you expand?

From what I remember the players were unhappy and let management know it. Can't remember exactly what else. But insiders at the time said it caused a lot ill-will towards management in the locker room.