The Atlanta Flames came to fruition in 1971 when the NHL decided to add two more teams to the NHL. They didn't plan on adding more teams right away as just in 1967 the NHL expanded from 6 to 12 teams when the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Oakland Seals, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and St.Louis Blues all joined the Original Six (Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks). In 1970, the NHL expanded from 12 teams to 14 with the addition of the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks. That brings us to 1972 when the Atlanta Flames were set to play their 1st season in the NHL. In 1972, the NHL expanded from 14 teams to 16 teams when Atlanta and the New York Islanders joined the NHL. The NHL wanted a team in Long Island to stop the WHA from putting a team there.
1972-1973
In the inaugural season in Atlanta, the Flames went 25-38-15 for 65 points. Not a bad 1st season at all which was a 7th overall finish in the West Division. This was not last as the newly named California Golden Seals finished last with just 48 points. The Flames ended on a sour note with a 0-7-1 record with just 1 point in the last 8 games of the season. Bob Leiter was the team leader in goals and assists with 26 G and 34 A for 60 P. Rey Comeau and Keith McCreary were the only others to break 20 G while Larry Romanchych joins these 4 as the only to break 40 P.
Phil Myre showed why he was the 1st pick in the Expansion Draft going 16-23-5 in 46 games with a 3.03 G.A.A. Dan Bouchard had a not great season record wise with 9-15-10 with a 3.09 G.A.A.
1973-1974
In Season number 2 the Flames improved to 30-34-14 for 74 points which was good enough for 4th place in the West Division. This was 9 points ahead of the Penguins for the final playoff spot. However, the Flames would play the Flyers in the playoffs and they finished 1st in the West with 112 Points. The Flames were swept with only Game 4 being a 1 goal game the rest were 3 or more. So that put an end to a pretty great 2nd season. Tom Lysiak was drafted with the 2nd overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft and he came in a made a world of difference already leading the Flames in scoring with 19 G and 45 A for 64 P. Bob Leiter was 2nd with 26 G and 26 A for 52 P while Larry Romanchych rounded out the top 3 with 22 G and 29 A for 51 P. Jacques Richard had a 27 G season, while Curt Bennett joins the rest named here as the only flames to have 40 P.
Dan Bouchard seemed to have taken over the #1 spot with a record of 19-18-8 with a 2.77 G.A.A. Phil Myre had a decent season as well with 11-16-6 with a 3.33 G.A.A. Myre took over in the playoffs but went 0-3 with a 4.19 G.A.A. However, I am sure we can forgive him because it was against the Powerhouse Flyers.
1974-1975 Season
Now we get to present day. The WHA disbanded and the NHL is now a 30 team league with the Houston Aeros, Birmingham Bulls, Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Ottawa Senators, New England Whalers, Calgary Cowboys, Cleveland Crusaders, Winnipeg Jets, San Diego Mariners, Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Roadrunners, Colorado Rockies and the Seattle Totems all joining the NHL for 1974.
Next up, we will do a Training Camp and roster preview for the season followed by monthly updates.