Division 2nd Smythe Home record 21–12–7 Goals for 321 (T-7th) Start date 1982 Conference Western Conference General manager Cliff Fletcher Goals against 317 | 1982–83 record 32–34–14 Road record 11–22–7 Alternate captains None Coach Bob Johnson Captain Phil Russell Arena Stampede Corral | |
The 1982–83 Calgary Flames season was the third season in Calgary and 11th for the Flames franchise in the National Hockey League. Despite finishing the season below .500, the Flames had their best ever finish in the division standings, placing second in the Smythe Division. In the playoffs, Calgary was able to avenge the previous season's defeat at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks by knocking off Vancouver in four games. In the second round, the Flames met up with their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, for the first time. The series would not be close, as Edmonton powered past Calgary in five games, including humiliating 10–2 and 9–1 victories over the Flames.
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"Badger" Bob Johnson replaced Al MacNeil as the team's head coach prior to the season. Johnson would go on to coach 400 games with the Flames, and win 193 games in five seasons, both of which remain Flames records. Johnson would later gain election into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.
Lanny McDonald, in his first full season in Calgary, had a career year, battling Wayne Gretzky for the scoring lead all season long. McDonald finished the season five goals behind Gretzky, but his mark of 66 remains a Flames record. McDonald was the Flames representative at the 1983 All-Star Game, and was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.
Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
Skaters
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary. Stats reflect time with the Flames only.
‡Traded mid-season.
Bold denotes franchise record.
Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
Transactions
The Flames were involved in the following transactions during the 1982–83 season.
Draft picks
Calgary's picks at the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, held in Montreal, Quebec.