Flames Top-10 individual seasons: Number 2 - Al MacInnis

[Isikiz]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=883721

“Did I realize what I was doing that year?’’ repeats the 1989 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, back in town this day as VP of Hockey Operations for the St. Louis Blues. “Not really. I mean, I look at it now, and go ‘Wow. A hundred points.’

“Seems crazy.

“But back then, you just get so wrapped up in your day-to-day, game-to-game, week-to-week routine, getting ready for the next game, that it all goes by in a kind of blur.

“As a player, you’re not thinking about personal milestones. At least I didn’t. I know it sounds a bit goofy, but I’d always compare a season to a round of golf: Doesn’t matter what you shot out there, you always felt you left something on the course.

“If you shot 77, you felt ‘Damn, without those two three-putts I could’ve shot 74.’

“I took that away from every season.”

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I think this should be #1. 100+ points for a Dman, in any era, is ludicrous. Kenta's ridiculous 131 point year is a good choice for #1 as well, but I think that team record is far more attainable than 103 points by a defenseman.

[Five-hole]

“If you shot 77, you felt ‘Damn, without those two three-putts I could’ve shot 74.’

Hopefully Chopper golfs better than he keeps score ...

[868904]

I'm still choked he didn't win the Norris that year, because Ray Bourque was "the better all around defenseman". And now, one dimensional offensive defencemen like Subban and Karlsson win the Norris while the better all around Doughty gets snubbed yearly.

Stupid Eastern bias.

[CroFlames]

Maybe the 2020's will be our 1980's all over again.

[Bingo]

Burke is such a traditionalist ... I really thought by now the Flames would have fixed that silly retirement, non-retirement issue in the rafters.

This guy should be 2nd fiddle to no one in team history.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by 868904

I'm still choked he didn't win the Norris that year, because Ray Bourque was "the better all around defenseman". And now, one dimensional offensive defencemen like Subban and Karlsson win the Norris while the better all around Doughty gets snubbed yearly.

Stupid Eastern bias.

He should have won that year, and apart from the smoothness of skating, MacInnis was a better all around defenseman that year than Bourque. He also should have won in 88-89 over Chris Chelios for the same reason - his superiority over Chelios was obvious in the Stanley Cup finals, and yes, there is a definite eastern bias to the voting.

[FBI]

Maybe macinnis thought one of the 3 putts could have been a one putt.

[Strange Brew]

I am a long time and ardent Flames fan and simply had no idea how exemplary this Macinnis season was. Only 5 defenseman with 100 point seasons? Amazing. Strong case for this being number one.

[FanIn80]

So wtf is #1 then? Is it Dion?

Edit: Wait, nm. That's just stupid.

Edit: 90-91 Theo?

[Jay Random]

#1 has to be '80-81 Nilsson.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

#1 has to be '80-81 Nilsson.

I think you're right. I misread the beginning of the article and thought Nilsson was one of the ones that didn't make the cut.

[albertGQ]

Definately should have won the Norris. I was rooting for him to finally hit 30 goals. Unfortunately that didn't happen and he did end up winning a Norris but he was my favourite defenseman growing up.

I hated Bourque for years because I felt he robbed Chopper of this Norris.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

#1 has to be '80-81 Nilsson.

I'm sure you're right. He may have become a whipping boy in subsequent years because of his apparent casual approach to the game, but in '80-81 he was full value for his nickname "Magic Man".

[dissentowner]

Should be #1.

[northcrunk]

Mac was my favorite player when I was young. Still have a number 2 kids jersey hung in the closet. I was sad when he left for St. Louis.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

I'm sure you're right. He may have become a whipping boy in subsequent years because of his apparent casual approach to the game, but in '80-81 he was full value for his nickname "Magic Man".

His goals per game that season was 0.61 in the regular season and 0.21 in the playoffs. In other words, while he scored 49 goals in 80 regular season games, he would have only scored 16 goals using his playoff GPG.

His career GPG for the regular season was 0.48, but only 0.19 in the playoffs.

[Teroy]

Originally Posted by 868904

I'm still choked he didn't win the Norris that year, because Ray Bourque was "the better all around defenseman". And now, one dimensional offensive defencemen like Subban and Karlsson win the Norris while the better all around Doughty gets snubbed yearly.

The Norris Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The criteria may have changed but in Al MacCinnis' day he was an average defenceman at best with a big shot.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Teroy

The criteria may have changed but in Al MacCinnis' day he was an average defenceman at best with a big shot.

That was true in 1983-84, when MacInnis broke into the league. It was still true to some extent in 1986, when the Flames made their first trip to the Finals. It was no longer true at all by 1989, when he deservedly won the Conn Smythe. At that time, he was the #1 defenceman on the second-best defensive team in the NHL – and that should say something.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

His goals per game that season was 0.61 in the regular season and 0.21 in the playoffs. In other words, while he scored 49 goals in 80 regular season games, he would have only scored 16 goals using his playoff GPG.

His career GPG for the regular season was 0.48, but only 0.19 in the playoffs.

Except in 86-87 when Nilsson had 19 points in 21 playoff games with the Oilers