1989–90 Calgary Flames season
The 1989–90 Calgary Flames season was the Flames' eighteenth season, and their tenth in Calgary. In defense of their first Stanley Cup championship, despite losing both Lanny McDonald and Jim Peplinski to retirement, the Flames remained a dominant team on the ice, finishing atop the Smythe Division and the Campbell Conference for the third consecutive year, and 2nd overall in the NHL with 99 points – two points behind the Boston Bruins.
| 1989–90 Calgary Flames | |
|---|---|
Smythe Division champions | |
| Division | 1st Smythe |
| Conference | 1st Campbell |
| 1989–90 record | 42–23–15 |
| Home record | 28–7–5 |
| Road record | 14–16–10 |
| Goals for | 348 (1st) |
| Goals against | 265 (4th) |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Cliff Fletcher |
| Coach | Terry Crisp |
| Captain | Jim Peplinski (Oct) Brad McCrimmon (Oct-Apr) |
| Alternate captains | Doug Gilmour Tim Hunter |
| Arena | Olympic Saddledome |
| Average attendance | 19,861 |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Joe Nieuwendyk (45) |
| Assists | Doug Gilmour (67) |
| Points | Joe Nieuwendyk (95) |
| Penalty minutes | Tim Hunter (279) |
| Wins | Mike Vernon (23) |
| Goals against average | Mike Vernon (3.13) |
The regular season success did not translate in the postseason, however, as the Flames were stunned by the Los Angeles Kings in six games in the first round of the playoffs. The loss began 15 years of playoff frustration, as the Flames would not win another postseason round until the 2003–04 season.
Following the loss, the Flames fired head coach Terry Crisp, later replacing him with Doug Risebrough. In three seasons with the Flames, Crisp compiled a 144–63–33 record, with one Stanley Cup win and two Presidents' Trophies.
Individually, Russian superstar Sergei Makarov, who was drafted by the Flames in 1983, was allowed to leave the Soviet Union and play in the NHL. Makarov finished 4th in team scoring with 86 points. The 32-year-old Makarov captured the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year. The selection was controversial, as Makarov had played 11 pro seasons in the Soviet Union prior to joining the Flames. As a result, the league changed the rules for the following seasons, stating that only players under the age of 26 would be eligible for the award.
Four Flames were named to represent the Campbell Conference at the 1990 All-Star Game: Forwards Joe Mullen and Joe Nieuwendyk, defenceman Al MacInnis and goaltender Mike Vernon.