Blades of Glory
Troll Captain
Remember those Calgary Flames from 1988-89? In my opinion, one of the best all-around Stanley Cup champions of the past quarter century? A pretty young, and very talented group of forwards featuring Doug Gilmour, Gary Roberts, Joe Nieuwendyk, Joe Mullen, Hakan Loob, and a rookie Theo Fleury. The defense was the real shining point; especially 25 year old Al MacInnis, 24 year old Gary Suter, and IMO one of the most under-rated defensemen of his era, Brad McCrimmon. Mike Vernon was one of the best young goalies in hockey.
Cliff Fletcher left after the 1990 season, I think, or was it 1991? Either way, Riseborough took over, and promptly traded away the team's best forward, two best defensemen, and starting goaltender within 4 years of taking over. We all know about the Gilmour disaster, but honestly, I think they would have been fine without him had Riseborough not embarked on probably the worst 5 day period in the history of the Flames franchise. Honestly, in a span of 5 days, he dealt away Al MacInnis for Phil Housley and Mike Vernon for Steve Chiasson. This is a year after trading Gary Suter to Hartford for a past-his-prime James Patrick.
I understand that Calgary had doubts about Vernon because he didn't ever reach his 1989 level again. And they had Trevor Kidd, a supposed star, in the pipeline. But does someone remember the reason they dealt Al MacInnis for Phil Housley? Was it just that Riseborough preferred Housley to MacInnis, as ludicrous as it sounds?
Cliff Fletcher left after the 1990 season, I think, or was it 1991? Either way, Riseborough took over, and promptly traded away the team's best forward, two best defensemen, and starting goaltender within 4 years of taking over. We all know about the Gilmour disaster, but honestly, I think they would have been fine without him had Riseborough not embarked on probably the worst 5 day period in the history of the Flames franchise. Honestly, in a span of 5 days, he dealt away Al MacInnis for Phil Housley and Mike Vernon for Steve Chiasson. This is a year after trading Gary Suter to Hartford for a past-his-prime James Patrick.
I understand that Calgary had doubts about Vernon because he didn't ever reach his 1989 level again. And they had Trevor Kidd, a supposed star, in the pipeline. But does someone remember the reason they dealt Al MacInnis for Phil Housley? Was it just that Riseborough preferred Housley to MacInnis, as ludicrous as it sounds?