Stanley Cups: 1

2008-'09 record: 46-30-6, 98 points (2nd in Northwest, 5th seed in West)

2008-'09 playoffs: Lost to Chicago Blackhawks 4-2

General manager: Darryl Sutter (219-144-47, 6th NHL year, 1st team

Coach: Brent Sutter (97-56-11, 3rd NHL season, 2nd team)

Captain: Jarome Iginla

Top returning scorer: RW Jarome Iginla (35 goals, 54 assists, 89 points)

Top returning goalie: Miikka Kiprusoff (45-24-5, 2.84, .903)

Key additions: D Jay Bouwmeester; RW Fredrik Sjostrom; C Brandon Prust; RW Riley Armstrong; Garth Murray; RW Jason Jaffray; RW Brian McGrattan; D Staffan Kronwall; LW Nigel Dawes; LW Colin Stuart.

Key subtractions: LW Michael Cammalleri; D Jim Vandermeer; D Jordan Leopold; D Adrian Aucoin; C Warren Peters; C Wayne Primeau; RW Todd Bertuzzi; D Anders Eriksson; LW Marcus Nilson; D Rhett Warrener; RW Andre Roy.

Top line: LW Rene Bourque, C Olli Jokinen, RW Jarome Iginla

Top defensive pairing: Dion Phaneuf, Jay Bouwmeester

Goaltending: Kiprusoff’s GAA jumped to 2.84 as questions about whether the workload he’s carrying is wearing him down was raised following another sub-par playoff performance. Led league with a career-high 45 wins, but also was first in games (76), minutes (4,418), shots faced (2,155) and saves (1,946). Numbers have been in steady decline since 2005-06 Hart Trophy win, but there’s no rest in sight.

Player to watch: C/RW Mikael Backlund. Enjoyed successful campaign last season that included a one-game stint with Flames. Began season with Vasteras in Swedish Elite League, but after helping Swedes to silver at world juniors, remained in North America and finished season with Kelowna, winning WHL title and playing in Memorial Cup final. Equally dangerous as passer or finisher, protects puck with the savvy of a veteran.

Icing: Brent Sutter will feel more at home back in Alberta than he was as coach of the Devils in New Jersey. There is added security and familiarity with brother Darryl as general manager. Brent Sutter was the owner, president, general manager and coach of the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels and went 314-194-68 as coach. Phaneuf played there under Sutter. Iginla became the Flames' career points leader in March. He also owns the goals record with 409.

Outlook: Will too many Sutters spoil the broth? Not as long as Kiprusoff doesn’t keep leaking oil. The addition of Bouwmeester should bolster defense, although goal-scoring depth might be a problem.

Prediction: 97 points (1st in Northwest, 3rd seed in West)

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS Teams listed in predicted order of finish; x-playoff team ATLANTIC x-Penguins x-Flyers x-Devils x-Rangers Islanders Vote: Winner? CENTRAL x-Red Wings x-Blackhawks x-Blue Jackets x-Blues Predators Vote: Winner? NORTHEAST x-Bruins x-Canadiens Sabres Maple Leafs Senators Vote: Winner? NORTHWEST x-Flames x-Canucks Oilers Wild Avalanche Vote: Winner? SOUTHEAST x-Capitals x-Hurricanes Thrashers Panthers Lightning Vote: Winner? PACIFIC x-Sharks x-Ducks Stars Kings Coyotes Vote: Winner?

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