Calgary Flames All Time Roster - #3 Center

[Bingo]

So some details ...

1. Calgary players only
2. I'll look at games played, production and PPG to list options.
3. My cut off won't effect options as I'll go deeper than required
4. I'll label them by rank (3rd line LW) but don't select the player that matches that role the best, pick the best player.

Day to Day

We elect a position, say 2nd line RW, remove that name and do the 3rd line RW the next day.

I'll post a summary as we go along.

Calgary Flames All Time Roster

Gary Roberts - Joe Nieuwendyk - RW1
Johnny Gaudreau - Doug Gilmour - RW2
Matthew Tkachuk - C3 - RW3
Alex Tanguay - C4 - RW4

D1 - D2
D3 - D4
D5 - D6

Miikka Kiprusoff
Mike Vernon

[CroFlames]

My favorite current Flame.

Sean Monahan.

This guy could put up Crosby numbers and still be disparaged by Flames fans.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

My favorite current Flame.

Sean Monahan.

This guy could put up Crosby numbers and still be disparaged by Flames fans.

No he couldnt, but Kent Nilsson could and more importantly, did.

Not disparaging against Monahan at all, but he is no where near the level of player that Kenta was.

I understand that those who never saw him can have no idea how special he was but as far as straight up talent, he was on par with Gretzky, he just didnt have the same drive.

[looooob]

Joel Otto


And not voting him because he is the 'prototypic 3rd line' center. I think you can argue he is the 3rd most important Centre in the Calgary years (and yes I get and am open to arguments on Kenta , Monahan and Conroy)


why?


1. He's not just a shutdown center- for the first 5 or 6 years of his Flames tenure he was top 6 in forward scoring on the team (on some deep teams) usually scoring 50+ points (and yes I get that 50 points then is different than now). He actually centred the 'first line' with Pepper and Mullen in the 86 playoffs as a rookie


2. For the Flames to take the next step they needed to scale Oilers mountain. including not only 99, but 11 and his sidekicks. taking on 11 needed 29. Indeed the Flames in the 80s were known as a 'big tough' team- this is despite star players like Mullen, Loob, Fleury (who were all tough but tiny). Otto was not the only person here but sort of the prototype


3. No Flames C has played more games than Joel Otto (indeed the only 2 forwards are Fleury and Iginla)


4. Playoff results- 3rd in Games Played. 4th in Playoff scoring (Macinnis ,Reinhart, Fleury) thats it


I realize I may need to repeat this exercise in round 4

[Buff]

Originally Posted by transplant99

No he couldnt, but Kent Nilsson could and more importantly, did.

Not disparaging against Monahan at all, but he is no where near the level of player that Kenta was.

I understand that those who never saw him can have no idea how special he was but as far as straight up talent, he was on par with Gretzky, he just didnt have the same drive.

I think he means that if Monahan put up numbers like Crosby he would still be criticized. I agree with that sentiment.

[Scroopy Noopers]

I only vote for players who want to play.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Buff

I think he means that if Monahan put up numbers like Crosby he would still be criticized. I agree with that sentiment.

Ahh...yes i misconstrued and would also agree. Monahan is a hell of a player but many just cant see past him not being elite, therefor he is useless. Its a weird dichotomy.

[Yamer]

Toughest choice for me so far. Decided to go with Monahan.

[troutman]

Tempted to vote Chouinard - maybe our best ever play maker, but much of his work was in Atlanta.

[Flashpoint]

If you’re looking for a third line center, look no further than Sandbox.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by troutman

Tempted to vote Chouinard - maybe our best ever play maker, but much of his work was in Atlanta.

I voted for Chouinard. He was the playmaker for Lanny McDonald when he got his 66 goals.

[Erick Estrada]

I went with Otto. He may not have been as offensive as other centers on this list but he the ultimate shut down center and faceoff man.

[united]

Had #1 and #2 as a toss-up, with Nilsson an easy choice for #3 for his incredible peak.

I thought #4 would be interesting, with Monahan, Langkow, and Otto in consideration for me. Likely would have leaned Monahan but was looking forward to some numbers and tape study. Looks like Monahan will take this round, though.

Langkow should likely get a reserve spot if we're doing any of those. Fantastic player and one of my all-time Flames favourites.

[TheScorpion]

I voted for Daymond Langkow. Tremendous player who stuck around here from 2005 to 2011.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by looooob

Joel Otto


And not voting him because he is the 'prototypic 3rd line' center. I think you can argue he is the 3rd most important Centre in the Calgary years (and yes I get and am open to arguments on Kenta , Monahan and Conroy)


why?


1. He's not just a shutdown center- for the first 5 or 6 years of his Flames tenure he was top 6 in forward scoring on the team (on some deep teams) usually scoring 50+ points (and yes I get that 50 points then is different than now). He actually centred the 'first line' with Pepper and Mullen in the 86 playoffs as a rookie


2. For the Flames to take the next step they needed to scale Oilers mountain. including not only 99, but 11 and his sidekicks. taking on 11 needed 29. Indeed the Flames in the 80s were known as a 'big tough' team- this is despite star players like Mullen, Loob, Fleury (who were all tough but tiny). Otto was not the only person here but sort of the prototype


3. No Flames C has played more games than Joel Otto (indeed the only 2 forwards are Fleury and Iginla)


4. Playoff results- 3rd in Games Played. 4th in Playoff scoring (Macinnis ,Reinhart, Fleury) thats it


I realize I may need to repeat this exercise in round 4

I will happily vote for Otto in round 4, but Nilsson is still the man here for me.

Shocked to see so many votes for Monahan. Lots of recency bias on that one. He's Langkow with a better shot and much worse defense.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

My favorite current Flame.

Sean Monahan.

This guy could put up Crosby numbers and still be disparaged by Flames fans.

I don't really understand this. If Monahan played like Crosby, he would be worshipped around here.

But he doesn't.

I voted Nilsson but having some remorse over not going with Otto, 4th all time in playoff scoring, first among centres. For a guy considered to be a checker.

His impact as a Calgary Flame is monumental.

[_Q_]

Voted for Kent Nilsson. I never watched him play, but his numbers look incredible.

I'll take everyone's word for it.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Voted for Kent Nilsson. I never watched him play, but his numbers look incredible.

I'll take everyone's word for it.

I think it's fair, and easy, to say Nilsson is the Flames all time most talented player. His inconsistency and g.a.f.f. is what puts him lower on the all time best player list though. That didn't stop me for voting him though.

[Samonadreau]

I think even factoring in his warts given Nilsson had the single best Flames season and was likely the most talented Flame ever has to put him in the top 3. Not sure how he doesnt take this round, but seems he wont

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

I think even factoring in his warts given Nilsson had the single best Flames season and was likely the most talented Flame ever has to put him in the top 3. Not sure how he doesnt take this round, but seems he wont

definitely one of the best seasons. I would put Iggy's 01-02, MacInnis 91 and Kipper 06 at least ahead


I mean I get your point , it was a point total number we haven't seen before or since, but even that year he (Kenta) was 4th in allstar voting at C (yes a stacked field) and 8th in MVP voting, so I don't think it was the single best Flames season (IMO!!)