The 2002–03 Calgary Flames season was the 23rd National Hockey League season in Calgary. A relatively successful start to the season quickly gave way to disaster as the Flames lost 11 of 12 games in a November stretch dropping the Flames out of contention, ultimately failing to qualify for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
The season began as the last had ended: with forward Marc Savard and head coach Greg Gilbert in bitter, public feud. After arguing in the media for nearly a year, the Flames finally granted the disgruntled players request, trading Savard to the Atlanta Thrashers.Flames ship Savard to Thrashers, cbc sports, November 15, 2002, accessed December 7, 2006. Gilbert himself would not last much longer with the Flames, as he would be fired by the club barely two weeks after Savard was dealt.Flames face Avs minus Gilbert, cbc sports, December 3, 2002, accessed December 7, 2006.
The Flames would quickly find a replacement for Gilbert, announcing they had hired Darryl Sutter shortly before the new year.Flames find their man, cbc sports, December 29, 2002, accessed December 7, 2006. Sutter immediately began shaping the Flames to his own style, and the Flames finished 19–16–8–1 under their new bench boss.
Following the season, the Flames announced that they would not renew General Manager Craig Button's contract. Sutter took over as GM, carrying the dual roles until the end of the 2005–06 season.Calgary Flames Executive , calgaryflames.com, accessed December 7, 2006.
Flames mascot, Harvey the Hound, gained widespread publicity in January 2003 following an incident with Edmonton Oilers head coach, Craig MacTavish. With the Flames leading 4–0, Harvey was taunting the Oilers behind their bench. The frustrated coach reached up and ripped Harvey's signature red tongue out of his mouth, tossing it into the crowd. The incident would seem to spark the Oilers, who scored three goals shortly after. The Flames would hold on to win 4–3, however.Pyette, Ryan, MacTavish leaves Harvey the Hound speechless, London Free Press, January 23, 2003. The incident made headlines throughout North America, and led to many jokes, including having many other NHL team mascots arrive at the 2003 All-Star Game with their tongues hanging out.Francis, Eric, The uncivil war, Calgary Sun, September 21, 2003.
Regular season The Flames struggled offensively and were shut out a league-high 10 times, tied with the Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Calgary finished 12th in the Western Conference, 17 points behind the 8th place Edmonton Oilers.
Final standings
Schedule and results
| 1 || October 10 || Vancouver || 3 – 0 || Calgary || || Turek || 17,409 || 0–1–0–0 || 0 ||
| 2 || October 12 || Philadelphia || 5 – 4 || Calgary || || Turek || 16,750 || 0–2–0–0 || 0 ||
| 3 || October 14 || Calgary || 3 – 2 || Vancouver || || Turek || 18,016 || 1–2–0–0 || 2 ||
| 4 || October 17 || Boston || 3 – 3 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 15,346 || 1–2–1–0 || 3 ||
| 5 || October 19 || Calgary || 5 – 2 || Chicago || || Turek || 14,034 || 2–2–1–0 || 5 ||
| 6 || October 21 || Calgary || 0 – 4 || Detroit || || McLennan || 20,058 || 2–3–1–0 || 5 ||
| 7 || October 22 || Calgary || 3 – 4 || Minnesota || OT || Turek || 18,064 || 2–3–1–1 || 6 ||
| 8 || October 24 || Dallas || 3 – 3 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 14,625 || 2–3–2–1 || 7 ||
| 9 || October 26 || St. Louis || 4 – 3 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 14,538 || 2–3–2–2 || 8 ||
| 10 || October 31 || Buffalo || 0 – 3 || Calgary || || Turek || 14,822 || 3–3–2–2 || 10 ||
| 11 || November 2 || Colorado || 4 – 4 || Calgary || OT || McLennan || 17,448 || 3–3–3–2 || 11 ||
| 12 || November 4 || Calgary || 4 – 2 || NY Islanders || || McLennan || 12,316 || 4–3–3–2 || 13 ||
| 13 || November 5 || Calgary || 3 – 2 || New Jersey || || McLennan || 12,315 || 5–3–3–2 || 15 ||
| 14 || November 7 || Calgary || 0 – 1 || NY Rangers || OT || McLennan || 18,200 || 5–3–3–3 || 16 ||
| 15 || November 9 || Calgary || 0 – 3 || Florida || || McLennan || 14,794 || 5–4–3–3 || 16 ||
| 16 || November 11 || Calgary || 1 – 2 || Atlanta || || McLennan || 10,501 || 5–5–3–3 || 16 ||
| 17 || November 14 || NY Rangers || 2 – 1 || Calgary || || McLennan || 16,386 || 5–6–3–3 || 16 ||
| 18 || November 16 || St. Louis || 1 – 0 || Calgary || || McLennan || 15,505 || 5–7–3–3 || 16 ||
| 19 || November 19 || Detroit || 5 – 0 || Calgary || || McLennan || 10,061 || 5–8–3–3 || 16 ||
| 20 || November 21 || Edmonton || 3 – 1 || Calgary || || McLennan || 17,660 || 5–9–3–3 || 16 ||
| 21 || November 23 || Chicago || 1 – 3 || Calgary || || Turek || 15,826 || 6–9–3–3 || 18 ||
| 22 || November 26 || Calgary || 2 – 7 || Boston || || Turek || 13,582 || 6–10–3–3 || 18 ||
| 23 || November 27 || Calgary || 2 – 4 || Washington || || Turek || 13,532 || 6–11–3–3 || 18 ||
| 24 || November 29 || Calgary || 2 – 7 || St. Louis || || Turek || 19,326 || 6–12–3–3 || 18 ||
| 25 || December 1 || Calgary || 2 – 4 || Detroit || || Turek || 20,058 || 6–13–3–3 || 18 ||
| 26 || December 3 || Calgary || 2 – 1 || Colorado || || Turek || 18,007 || 7–13–3–3 || 20 ||
| 27 || December 5 || Minnesota || 1 – 1 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 14,118 || 7–13–4–3 || 21 ||
| 28 || December 9 || Calgary || 2 – 1 || Vancouver || || Turek || 18,422 || 8–13–4–3 || 23 ||
| 29 || December 12 || Carolina || 4 – 3 || Calgary || || Turek || 14,528 || 8–14–4–3 || 23 ||
| 30 || December 14 || Colorado || 3 – 1 || Calgary || || Turek || 17,192 || 8–15–4–3 || 23 ||
| 31 || December 15 || Calgary || 3 – 3 || Vancouver || OT || Turek || 18,422 || 8–15–5–3 || 24 ||
| 32 || December 17 || Calgary || 3 – 0 || Nashville || || Turek || 10,216 || 9–15–5–3 || 26 ||
| 33 || December 19 || Calgary || 0 – 3 || Columbus || || Turek || 17,230 || 9–16–5–3 || 26 ||
| 34 || December 21 || Calgary || 0 – 2 || Pittsburgh || || Turek || 12,571 || 9–17–5–3 || 26 ||
| 35 || December 23 || Calgary || 3 – 2 || Minnesota || || Turek || 18,568 || 10–17–5–3 || 28 ||
| 36 || December 27 || Toronto || 4 – 3 || Calgary || || Turek || 18,014 || 10–18–5–3 || 28 ||
| 37 || December 29 || Anaheim || 2 – 4 || Calgary || || Turek || 16,922 || 11–18–5–3 || 30 ||
| 38 || December 31 || Montreal || 1 – 1 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 18,159 || 11–18–6–3 || 31 ||
| 39 || January 2 || Tampa Bay || 1 – 4 || Calgary || || Turek || 14,881 || 12–18–6–3 || 33 ||
| 40 || January 4 || Minnesota || 2 – 3 || Calgary || || Turek || 15,974 || 13–18–6–3 || 35 ||
| 41 || January 7 || Calgary || 4 – 2 || Colorado || || Turek || 18,007 || 14–18–6–3 || 37 ||
| 42 || January 9 || Ottawa || 1 – 0 || Calgary || || Turek || 16,058 || 14–19–6–3 || 37 ||
| 43 || January 11 || Columbus || 7 – 2 || Calgary || || Turek || 14,827 || 14–20–6–3 || 37 ||
| 44 || January 13 || Calgary || 2 – 4 || Montreal || || Turek || 20,630 || 14–21–6–3 || 37 ||
| 45 || January 14 || Calgary || 2 – 3 || Toronto || || Turek || 19,290 || 14–22–6–3 || 37 ||
| 46 || January 16 || Nashville || 2 – 2 || Calgary || OT || McLennan || 14,621 || 14–22–7–3 || 38 ||
| 47 || January 18 || Los Angeles || 1 – 2 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 16,675 || 15–22–7–3 || 40 ||
| 48 || January 20 || Edmonton || 3 – 4 || Calgary || || Turek || 17,832 || 16–22–7–3 || 42 ||
| 49 || January 23 || Phoenix || 7 – 1 || Calgary || || Turek || 14,865 || 16–23–7–3 || 42 ||
| 50 || January 25 || Detroit || 1 – 4 || Calgary || || Turek || 18,028 || 17–23–7–3 || 44 ||
| 51 || January 28 || Calgary || 3 – 4 || Phoenix || || Turek || 14,619 || 17–24–7–3 || 44 ||
| 52 || January 29 || Calgary || 1 – 4 || Dallas || || Turek || 18,532 || 17–25–7–3 || 44 ||
| 53 || February 4 || Anaheim || 3 – 2 || Calgary || || Turek || 14,110 || 17–26–7–3 || 44 ||
| 54 || February 6 || Chicago || 2 – 2 || Calgary || OT || McLennan || 16,027 || 17–26–8–3 || 45 ||
| 55 || February 7 || Calgary || 4 – 3 || Edmonton || || Turek || 16,839 || 18–26–8–3 || 47 ||
| 56 || February 9 || Calgary || 2 – 4 || Colorado || || Turek || 18,007 || 18–27–8–3 || 47 ||
| 57 || February 12 || Calgary || 3 – 4 || Anaheim || OT || McLennan || 11,612 || 18–27–8–4 || 48 ||
| 58 || February 13 || Calgary || 2 – 4 || Los Angeles || || Turek || 17,539 || 18–28–8–4 || 48 ||
| 59 || February 15 || Vancouver || 2 – 2 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 18,252 || 18–28–9–4 || 49 ||
| 60 || February 17 || Calgary || 3 – 5 || St. Louis || || Turek || 19,522 || 18–29–9–4 || 49 ||
| 61 || February 19 || Calgary || 1 – 1 || Dallas || OT || Turek || 18,532 || 18–29–10–4 || 50 ||
| 62 || February 20 || Calgary || 1 – 4 || Nashville || || McLennan || 10,842 || 18–30–10–4 || 50 ||
| 63 || February 23 || Calgary || 4 – 2 || Phoenix || || Turek || 14,241 || 19–30–10–4 || 52 ||
| 64 || February 24 || Calgary || 2 – 5 || San Jose || || Turek || 17,311 || 19–31–10–4 || 52 ||
| 65 || March 1 || San Jose || 3 – 4 || Calgary || || Turek || 17,575 || 20–31–10–4 || 54 ||
| 66 || March 5 || New Jersey || 4 – 5 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 16,106 || 21–31–10–4 || 56 ||
| 67 || March 7 || Calgary || 2 – 0 || Chicago || || Turek || 14,702 || 22–31–10–4 || 58 ||
| 68 || March 8 || Calgary || 3 – 2 || Columbus || OT || Turek || 18,136 || 23–31–10–4 || 60 ||
| 69 || March 11 || Edmonton || 5 – 2 || Calgary || || Turek || 17,714 || 23–32–10–4 || 60 ||
| 70 || March 13 || Toronto || 3 – 4 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 18,064 || 24–32–10–4 || 62 ||
| 71 || March 15 || Calgary || 2 – 3 || San Jose || || Turek || 17,496 || 24–33–10–4 || 62 ||
| 72 || March 16 || Calgary || 2 – 2 || Anaheim || OT || McLennan || 16,726 || 24–33–11–4 || 63 ||
| 73 || March 18 || Calgary || 4 – 1 || Los Angeles || || Turek || 17,470 || 25–33–11–4 || 65 ||
| 74 || March 20 || Washington || 4 – 1 || Calgary || || Turek || 15,827 || 25–34–11–4 || 65 ||
| 75 || March 22 || Nashville || 1 – 1 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 16,628 || 25–34–12–4 || 66 ||
| 76 || March 24 || Phoenix || 0 – 2 || Calgary || || Turek || 16,685 || 26–34–12–4 || 68 ||
| 77 || March 27 || Dallas || 1 – 2 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 16,533 || 27–34–12–4 || 70 ||
| 78 || March 29 || Columbus || 6 – 4 || Calgary || || Turek || 16,007 || 27–35–12–4 || 70 ||
| 79 || March 31 || Calgary || 0 – 3 || Minnesota || || McLennan || 18,568 || 27–36–12–4 || 70 ||
| 80 || April 2 || San Jose || 2 – 2 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 14,207 || 27–36–13–4 || 71 ||
| 81 || April 4 || Los Angeles || 1 – 2 || Calgary || OT || Turek || 17,003 || 28–36–13–4 || 73 ||
| 82 || April 5 || Calgary || 4 – 1 || Edmonton || || Turek || 16,839 || 29–36–13–4 || 75 ||
Legend:
Player statistics
Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flames only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flames only. Player Regular season 12 RW 75 35 32 67 −10 49 22 C 79 22 37 59 −4 36 18 LW 80 23 30 53 −9 33 23 LW 81 21 31 52 −3 51 32 D 81 6 20 26 −7 28 11 C 82 10 15 25 −10 50 19 LW 52 8 15 23 5 46 17 RW 81 10 12 22 −11 126 10 LW 34 5 14 19 4 22 44 LW 54 8 10 18 −13 42 6 D 69 3 14 17 5 126 4 D 58 4 10 14 −15 12 3 D 72 1 11 12 5 99 28 D 76 0 12 12 −9 87 40 C 68 5 5 10 −7 149 24 RW 67 2 8 10 −5 28 20 C 46 4 5 9 −15 12 8 D 44 3 5 8 −6 14 7 RW 23 4 2 6 −3 8 27 LW 55 2 4 6 −6 100 26 C 50 3 1 4 −7 51 18 LW 19 2 2 4 1 12 15 C 9 1 3 4 3 0 21 D 16 0 4 4 1 6 1 G 65 0 4 4 14 16 RW 13 1 2 3 −2 7 42 D 16 1 2 3 −5 4 27 C 10 1 2 3 −3 8 5 D 50 1 1 2 −9 114 2 D 6 0 1 1 2 19 43 RW 3 0 1 1 1 2 33 G 22 0 0 0 14 36 D 4 0 0 0 −1 0 51 D 2 0 0 0 0 0 38 RW 1 0 0 0 0 0
Goaltending Player Regular season 1 Roman Turek 65 27 29 9 1679 164 2.54 .902 4 3822 33 Jamie McLennan 22 2 11 4 537 58 2.99 .892 0 1165
Awards and records
Awards