2006 Calgary Flames Preview

2006 Calgary Flames Preview from Maddux Sports. With the NHL Hockey Season now is the time to get aquatinted with the 2006 teams and players. Remember if you are NHL hockey betting look no further, as we offer hockey picks and can help you turn a profit betting on the NHL this season.

2006 Calgary Flames Hockey Season Preview

On many levels this team looked like the club to beat last season. With the best defense and the top goaltending in the league, they racked up 103 points, finishing third in the conference and seventh overall. But a lack of offense plagued them throughout the season. A turnaround on that front is imperative for the Flames to go deep into the post-season.

The offense was ranked 28th last season, which makes the team’s performance even more amazing. A better-than-average power play proved to be helpful. Right wing Jarome Iginla (35 G, 32 A, 67 Pts) was the leading scorer. This season he’s joined by Alex Tanguay (29 G, 49 A, 78 Pts) on left wing. Center Daymond Langkow (25 G, 34 A, 59 Pts) is on the front line, but he’s really a second line guy. Chuck Kobasew (20 G, 11 A, 31 Pts) should continue to improve.

On defense, Robyn Regehr (6 G, 20 A, 26 Pts) anchors the crew with steady play and leadership. Rookie Dion Phaneuf (20 G, 29 A, 49 Pts) was one of the best D-men in the league. Andrew Ference, Richie Regehr and Mark Giodano are all capable of keeping the puck away from the net and feeding it out to the offense. A much better than average penalty kill (ranked seventh), proves them to be an all-around squad.

In goal, Miikka Kiprusoff (74 GP, 42 W, 20 L, 11 OT, 2.07 GAA, .923 SP) was phenomenal. He now has a stable backup with the newly signed vet Jamie McLennan (17 GP, 2 W, 4 L, 2 OT, 3.01 GAA, .906 SP)

The potential for more goal scoring is there. Line chemistry, some players getting back to old form and others having career years are all necessary for Calgary to reach the finals as they did in 2004. They scored 24 goals less (218) than any other team that made the playoffs. That has to change.

For more information on the 2006 Calgary Hockey Club check out the Flames team website.