Calgary Flames All Time Roster - #3 Defenseman

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

Gary Suter was so good, it sucks he was hurt when The Flames won the cup

[ForeverFlameFan]

I went Regehr and will gladly go Regehr again.

[FanIn80]

Dammit. I forgot all about Suter when I voted for Reggie.

[looooob]

further on Suter it is worth pointing out that he is 5th all time in Calgary Flames scoring, not among d, but scoring period (the 4 players ahead of him occupy the #1C, #1D and #1,2 RW positions). Reggie narrowly losing to him is not a dismissal of Regehr

[SeanCharles]

The voting for #5-7 is gonna be all over the place.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by looooob

further on Suter it is worth pointing out that he is 5th all time in Calgary Flames scoring, not among d, but scoring period (the 4 players ahead of him occupy the #1C, #1D and #1,2 RW positions). Reggie narrowly losing to him is not a dismissal of Regehr

Finished 8th in Hart Trophy voting one season. Also noticed his "similarity score" comparables are S. Niedermayer, Sergei Gonchar and Doug Harvey.

This was an elite elite defenseman.

Regehr isn't being slighted in this vote.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Finished 8th in Hart Trophy voting one season. Also noticed his "similarity score" comparables are S. Niedermayer, Sergei Gonchar and Doug Harvey.

This was an elite elite defenseman.
.

but no Kevin Lowe the similarity score comps say alot here actually (Suter v Lowe)

[monkeyman]

very tough choice, such different players. I gave the edge to Regehr.

[FireGilbert]

Easy choice for Suter. Sure Regehr was elite in his own zone but Suter didn’t even need to play in his zone, he was too busy in the offensive zone setting up teammates for goals.

[united]

Numbers 1 to 3 were no-brainers for me, in the as-voted order, but 4 is where it gets really interesting.


Two polarizing figures in Phaneuf and Hamilton, but whose per-season or per-game contributions in the Flaming C were undeniably outstanding. Phaneuf's first three seasons were a non-stop highlight reel and he finished second in Norris voting behind the incomparable Nik Lidstrom, and Hamilton coupled with Giordano to completely dominate all competition they faced for two seasons.

I also have Brad McCrimmon in the mix, but suspect due to significant recency bias and lack of flair he likely won't get a fair shake in consideration for the roster at all (like Colin Patterson).

Phil Housley got the pleasure of being part of the Young Guns in his mid-30s yet was solid at both ends, though known for his offensive ability.

And now, the controversial one: Robyn Regehr. He will obviously be voted high, likely #4, but to me he's the Flames' Shane Doan or Trevor Linden, where the fans of the team generally regard the player as a legendary all-star caliber player to the skepticism of the rest of the teams' fans who thought they were good but not great (remember, Chris Kunitz, Kris Draper, and Rob Zamuner played on the National Team, too). Purely one dimensional, but absolutely exceptional at that dimension...if only he could have moved the puck better as that held him back significantly with the frequent icings and punts, or knee-high/in-the-skates outlet passes. But then I remember the patented Tunnel of Death and the joy watching that ride brought. But also the unfortunately successful "dump it in Regehr's corner" tactic toward the end that was not so enjoyable. For anyone who has gotten into analytics: don't look. Don't do it if you are a Regehr fan, I warned you. Anyone who despises analytics: here is another poster child for your quest!

[Strange Brew]

I wonder how many people realize who is 2nd all time in playoff scoring for the Flames? At very nearly a point per game, Reinhart deserves consideration here.

[Jacks]

Macoun deserves some mention also, played a lot of years, put up respectable numbers while being very good defensively.

[Sandman]

Ridiculous that we had Suter AND MacInnis. Man, we were spoiled with all the talent we had to watch-should've won more cups!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by looooob

further on Suter it is worth pointing out that he is 5th all time in Calgary Flames scoring, not among d, but scoring period (the 4 players ahead of him occupy the #1C, #1D and #1,2 RW positions). Reggie narrowly losing to him is not a dismissal of Regehr

Thank you.

Recency bias is reigning supreme with the comments. Suter was a #1 on any team that didn't have MacInnis on it. He was a hell of an all-around defenseman. It sucks that a lot of the younger ones (I'm not that old) don't remember him, but he deserves the #3 spot without question.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Thank you.

Recency bias is reigning supreme with the comments. Suter was a #1 on any team that didn't have MacInnis on it. He was a hell of an all-around defenseman. It sucks that a lot of the younger ones (I'm not that old) don't remember him, but he deserves the #3 spot without question.

Did recency bias give Gio the #2 spot on this poll, and should it have been Suter then with Gio falling to #3?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Did recency bias give Gio the #2 spot on this poll, and should it have been Suter then with Gio falling to #3?

It's possible, but a solid Norris trophy win and tenure says no.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Did recency bias give Gio the #2 spot on this poll, and should it have been Suter then with Gio falling to #3?

I figured that since the game has changed since Suter's days, and offence is harder to come by, that Gio should be put first because he won the Norris-signifying that he was the best at his position that year (and it was obvious). He also is a great leader, and shows up every year the fittest guy in camp.

[united]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I wonder how many people realize who is 2nd all time in playoff scoring for the Flames? At very nearly a point per game, Reinhart deserves consideration here.

Great point as Reinhart absolutely should be in consideration for a spot.

[codynw]

Giordano being #2 is absolutely justified. If his prime had started earlier, he might have more than one Norris and a solid case for the #1 spot, but he really didn't turn into an elite defenceman until his 30s.


Also, why is Al MacInnis generally remembered more as a Blue than a Flame? Spent more time in Calgary, including most of his prime years, won a Conn Smythe and his only Stanley Cup in Calgary..

[looooob]

Originally Posted by codynw

Also, why is Al MacInnis generally remembered more as a Blue than a Flame? Spent more time in Calgary, including most of his prime years, won a Conn Smythe and his only Stanley Cup in Calgary..

yeah this generally infuriates me, particularly as you can't (like later Flames) use the well 'the Flames sucked when he was there' argument


yes he won his Norris there, but his 90-91 season was actually his best. more games, points, playoff games, allstar team appearances (2 1: 3 2nd vers 2 1st), his only cup and then one major award in each place


I think it boils down to him establishing himself in St. Louis post playing, and the fact that (erroneously) he was only viewed as 'the guy with the slapshot) until 1989