# 1979–80 Atlanta Flames season

The 1979–80 Atlanta Flames season was the eighth and final season in Atlanta for the franchise. The franchise was bought and moved to Calgary, Alberta to become the Calgary Flames.

## Offseason

* Al MacNeil left his position as head coach of the Canadiens farm club, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, to become head coach of the Atlanta Flames.
* Boom Boom Geoffrion left his position as a broadcaster with the Flames to become the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

## Regular season
### Final standings

Patrick Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 80 | 48 | 12 | 20 | 327 | 254 | 116 |
| New York Islanders | 80 | 39 | 28 | 13 | 281 | 247 | 91 |
| New York Rangers | 80 | 38 | 32 | 10 | 308 | 284 | 86 |
| Atlanta Flames | 80 | 35 | 32 | 13 | 282 | 269 | 83 |
| Washington Capitals | 80 | 27 | 40 | 13 | 261 | 293 | 67 |
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.
League standings :
| R | | Div | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| 1 | p – Philadelphia Flyers | PTK | 80 | 48 | 12 | 20 | 327 | 254 | 116 |
| 2 | y – Buffalo Sabres | ADM | 80 | 47 | 17 | 16 | 318 | 201 | 110 |
| 3 | x – Montreal Canadiens | NRS | 80 | 47 | 20 | 13 | 328 | 240 | 107 |
| 4 | Boston Bruins | ADM | 80 | 46 | 21 | 13 | 310 | 234 | 105 |
| 5 | New York Islanders | PTK | 80 | 39 | 28 | 13 | 281 | 247 | 91 |
| 6 | Minnesota North Stars | ADM | 80 | 36 | 28 | 16 | 311 | 253 | 88 |
| 7 | x – Chicago Black Hawks | SMY | 80 | 34 | 27 | 19 | 241 | 250 | 87 |
| 8 | New York Rangers | PTK | 80 | 38 | 32 | 10 | 308 | 284 | 86 |
| 9 | Atlanta Flames | PTK | 80 | 35 | 32 | 13 | 282 | 269 | 83 |
| 10 | St. Louis Blues | SMY | 80 | 34 | 34 | 12 | 266 | 278 | 80 |
| 11 | Toronto Maple Leafs | ADM | 80 | 35 | 40 | 5 | 304 | 327 | 75 |
| 12 | Los Angeles Kings | NRS | 80 | 30 | 36 | 14 | 290 | 313 | 74 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NRS | 80 | 30 | 37 | 13 | 251 | 303 | 73 |
| 14 | Hartford Whalers | NRS | 80 | 27 | 34 | 19 | 303 | 312 | 73 |
| 15 | Vancouver Canucks | SMY | 80 | 27 | 37 | 16 | 256 | 281 | 70 |
| 16 | Edmonton Oilers | SMY | 80 | 28 | 39 | 13 | 301 | 322 | 69 |
| 17 | Washington Capitals | PTK | 80 | 27 | 40 | 13 | 261 | 293 | 67 |
| 18 | Detroit Red Wings | NRS | 80 | 26 | 43 | 11 | 268 | 306 | 63 |
| 19 | Quebec Nordiques | ADM | 80 | 25 | 44 | 11 | 248 | 313 | 61 |
| 20 | Winnipeg Jets | SMY | 80 | 20 | 49 | 11 | 214 | 314 | 51 |
| 21 | Colorado Rockies | SMY | 80 | 19 | 48 | 13 | 234 | 308 | 51 |
Divisions: ADM – Adams, NRS – Norris, PTK – Patrick, SMY – Smythe
bold – The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, regardless of division or conference. x – Won division; y – Won Conference (and division); p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and conference and division)

### Record vs. opponents

Patrick Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Patrick Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
ATL
NYI
NYR
PHI
WSH
Total
Atlanta
—1–33–0–12–23–0–19−5−2
N.Y. Islanders
3–1—2–22–22–29−7−0
N.Y. Rangers
0–3–12–2—1–2–12–25−9−2
Philadelphia
2–22–22–1–1—2–0–28−5−3
Washington
0–3–12–22–20–2–2—4−9−3
Vs. Smythe Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
CHI
COL
EDM
STL
VAN
WIN
Total
Atlanta
0−2−24−02−1−13−12−24−015−6−3
N.Y. Islanders
2−1−13−11−2−13−11−2−12−0−212−7−5
N.Y. Rangers
1−2−11−1−23−14−04−02−215−6−3
Philadelphia
2–0–22–1–13–0−12−0−23−14−016−2−6
Washington
2−21−1−21−32−23−13−0−112−9−3
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Adams Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
MIN
QUE
TOR
Total
Atlanta
0–40–3–11–1–23–0–11–35–11–4
N.Y. Islanders
1–31–2–10–2–24–03–19–8–3
N.Y. Rangers
2–21–2–11–2–12–1–12–28–9–3
Philadelphia
1–1–23–0–13–13–0–11–1–211–3–6
Washington
1–2–10–40–3–11–1–21–33–13–4
Vs. Norris Division
1979–80 NHL records
Team
DET
HFD
LAK
MTL
PIT
Total
Atlanta
2–1–11–32–1–10–3–11–2–16–10–4
N.Y. Islanders
1–33–12–1–13–0–10–1–39–6–5
N.Y. Rangers
3–12–1–13–10–3–12–210–8–2
Philadelphia
3–0–12–0–24–01–2–13–0–113–2–5
Washington
1–2–12–1–13–11–2–11–38–9–3 :

## Schedule and results

| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record | Attendance |
| 1 | W | October 10, 1979 | 5–3 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 1–0–0 | 10,350 |
| 2 | L | October 11, 1979 | 1–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 1–1–0 | 16,106 |
| 3 | W | October 13, 1979 | 9–2 | Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 2–1–0 | 13,358 |
| 4 | L | October 16, 1979 | 1–5 | @ New York Islanders (1979–80) | 2–2–0 | 13,914 |
| 5 | L | October 18, 1979 | 2–6 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 2–3–0 | 17,077 |
| 6 | T | October 20, 1979 | 2–2 | Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 2–3–1 | 12,934 |
| 7 | L | October 23, 1979 | 3–5 | Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 2–4–1 | 9,438 |
| 8 | W | October 26, 1979 | 7–3 | Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 3–4–1 | 8,420 |
| 9 | W | October 27, 1979 | 3–0 | @ St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 4–4–1 | 12,154 |
| 10 | W | October 30, 1979 | 3–1 | Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 5–4–1 | 7,135 |
| 11 | T | November 2, 1979 | 4–4 | Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 5–4–2 | 11,356 |
| 12 | T | November 3, 1979 | 3–3 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 5–4–3 | 8,543 |
| 13 | W | November 6, 1979 | 8–0 | Winnipeg Jets (1979–80) | 6–4–3 | 7,296 |
| 14 | W | November 9, 1979 | 5–2 | New York Islanders (1979–80) | 7–4–3 | 14,218 |
| 15 | L | November 11, 1979 | 3–6 | @ Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 7–5–3 | 13,239 |
| 16 | L | November 13, 1979 | 3–5 | Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 7–6–3 | 7,892 |
| 17 | L | November 15, 1979 | 1–5 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 7–7–3 | 16,433 |
| 18 | W | November 16, 1979 | 4–2 | New York Rangers (1979–80) | 8–7–3 | 12,919 |
| 19 | W | November 18, 1979 | 4–2 | @ Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 9–7–3 | 6,361 |
| 20 | W | November 21, 1979 | 4–1 | Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 10–7–3 | 8,346 |
| 21 | W | November 23, 1979 | 4–1 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 11–7–3 | 13,081 |
| 22 | L | November 25, 1979 | 2–4 | @ Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 11–8–3 | 7,627 |
| 23 | L | November 27, 1979 | 3–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 11–9–3 | 8,394 |
| 24 | L | December 4, 1979 | 2–6 | Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 11–10–3 | 8,290 |
| 25 | L | December 5, 1979 | 1–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 11–11–3 | 16,433 |
| 26 | L | December 8, 1979 | 1–4 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 11–12–3 | 15,379 |
| 27 | W | December 9, 1979 | 5–4 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1979–80) | 12–12–3 | 12,579 |
| 28 | T | December 12, 1979 | 5–5 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 12–12–4 | 15,423 |
| 29 | W | December 14, 1979 | 3–2 | Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 13–12–4 | 8,544 |
| 30 | L | December 15, 1979 | 1–8 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 13–13–4 | 16,485 |
| 31 | L | December 21, 1979 | 1–5 | St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 13–14–4 | 8,397 |
| 32 | W | December 22, 1979 | 7–3 | @ St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 14–14–4 | 10,207 |
| 33 | L | December 26, 1979 | 3–5 | Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 14–15–4 | 11,700 |
| 34 | L | December 28, 1979 | 2–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 14–16–4 | 9,133 |
| 35 | L | December 29, 1979 | 2–3 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1979–80) | 14–17–4 | 10,416 |
| 36 | L | January 4, 1980 | 3–6 | Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 14–18–4 | 9,216 |
| 37 | T | January 6, 1980 | 5–5 | @ New York Rangers (1979–80) | 14–18–5 | 17,415 |
| 38 | W | January 8, 1980 | 2–0 | Winnipeg Jets (1979–80) | 15–18–5 | 6,138 |
| 39 | W | January 11, 1980 | 4–3 | Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 16–18–5 | 9,246 |
| 40 | L | January 12, 1980 | 3–5 | @ Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 16–19–5 | 13,376 |
| 41 | L | January 14, 1980 | 2–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 16–20–5 | 16,493 |
| 42 | W | January 16, 1980 | 5–3 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 17–20–5 | 12,235 |
| 43 | W | January 17, 1980 | 4–1 | @ Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 18–20–5 | 7,511 |
| 44 | W | January 19, 1980 | 4–2 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 19–20–5 | 14,909 |
| 45 | T | January 21, 1980 | 3–3 | Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 19–20–6 | 9,203 |
| 46 | L | January 22, 1980 | 2–4 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 19–21–6 | 8,004 |
| 47 | T | January 25, 1980 | 4–4 | Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 19–21–7 | 11,924 |
| 48 | W | January 26, 1980 | 4–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 20–21–7 | 18,806 |
| 49 | L | January 28, 1980 | 1–6 | @ Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 20–22–7 | 7,627 |
| 50 | W | January 30, 1980 | 4–1 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1979–80) | 21–22–7 | 10,776 |
| 51 | W | February 1, 1980 | 4–2 | Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 22–22–7 | 9,166 |
| 52 | W | February 2, 1980 | 5–3 | Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 23–22–7 | 11,040 |
| 53 | W | February 8, 1980 | 4–2 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 24–22–7 | 15,423 |
| 54 | W | February 10, 1980 | 6–1 | @ Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 25–22–7 | 9,864 |
| 55 | T | February 13, 1980 | 2–2 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1979–80) | 25–22–8 | 12,032 |
| 56 | T | February 16, 1980 | 2–2 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 25–22–9 | 15,162 |
| 57 | L | February 17, 1980 | 2–3 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 25–23–9 | 14,835 |
| 58 | T | February 19, 1980 | 4–4 | Minnesota North Stars (1979–80) | 25–23–10 | 6,871 |
| 59 | W | February 21, 1980 | 3–0 | Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 26–23–10 | 6,218 |
| 60 | L | February 23, 1980 | 5–6 | Hartford Whalers (1979–80) | 26–24–10 | 9,868 |
| 61 | T | February 26, 1980 | 3–3 | Montreal Canadiens (1979–80) | 26–24–11 | 10,210 |
| 62 | W | March 1, 1980 | 4–1 | Colorado Rockies (1979–80) | 27–24–11 | 15,156 |
| 63 | W | March 5, 1980 | 3–1 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 28–24–11 | 9,628 |
| 64 | W | March 7, 1980 | 9–3 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 29–24–11 | 15,405 |
| 65 | W | March 9, 1980 | 5–2 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1979–80) | 30–24–11 | 12,412 |
| 66 | L | March 10, 1980 | 2–5 | Vancouver Canucks (1979–80) | 30–25–11 | 7,875 |
| 67 | T | March 13, 1980 | 2–2 | Los Angeles Kings (1979–80) | 30–25–12 | 9,253 |
| 68 | W | March 15, 1980 | 4–3 | Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 31–25–12 | 15,156 |
| 69 | W | March 17, 1980 | 5–1 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1979–80) | 32–25–12 | 16,485 |
| 70 | L | March 18, 1980 | 3–6 | @ New York Islanders (1979–80) | 32–26–12 | 14,995 |
| 71 | W | March 20, 1980 | 8–4 | St. Louis Blues (1979–80) | 33–26–12 | 8,446 |
| 72 | L | March 22, 1980 | 2–5 | Boston Bruins (1979–80) | 33–27–12 | 13,474 |
| 73 | L | March 23, 1980 | 2–4 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1979–80) | 33–28–12 | 15,927 |
| 74 | L | March 25, 1980 | 4–5 | Edmonton Oilers (1979–80) | 33–29–12 | 7,914 |
| 75 | W | March 28, 1980 | 4–2 | New York Rangers (1979–80) | 34–29–12 | 14,138 |
| 76 | L | March 30, 1980 | 2–4 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1979–80) | 34–30–12 | 17,077 |
| 77 | L | April 1, 1980 | 2–5 | Buffalo Sabres (1979–80) | 34–31–12 | 9,126 |
| 78 | W | April 2, 1980 | 7–3 | @ New York Rangers (1979–80) | 35–31–12 | 17,415 |
| 79 | L | April 4, 1980 | 3–7 | New York Islanders (1979–80) | 35–32–12 | 12,168 |
| 80 | T | April 5, 1980 | 4–4 | @ Washington Capitals (1979–80) | 35–32–13 | 18,130 |

## Player statistics
### Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Player | # | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Kent Nilsson | 14 | 80 | 40 | 53 | 98 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Guy Chouinard | 16 | 76 | 31 | 46 | 77 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Bob MacMillan | 11 | 77 | 22 | 39 | 61 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Ken Houston | 6 | 80 | 23 | 31 | 54 | 100 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Eric Vail | 27 | 77 | 28 | 25 | 53 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Paul Reinhart | 23 | 79 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 31 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Jean Pronovost | 9 | 80 | 24 | 19 | 43 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ivan Boldirev$^‡$ | 12 | 52 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 20 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Phil Russell | 3 | 80 | 5 | 31 | 36 | 115 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Garry Unger | 17/7 | 79 | 5 | 25 | 30 | 39 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Willi Plett | 25 | 76 | 13 | 19 | 32 | 231 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| Don Lever$^†$ | 12 | 28 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Pekka Rautakallio | 4 | 79 | 5 | 25 | 30 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Bill Clement | 10 | 64 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Bob Murdoch | 20 | 80 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 48 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Darcy Rota$^‡$ | 18 | 44 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 49 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Paul Henderson | 15/19 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brad Marsh | 5 | 80 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 119 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Dave Shand | 8 | 74 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 104 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Curt Bennett | 2 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Bobby Lalonde$^‡$ | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Dan Bouchard | 30 | 53 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Bobby Gould | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Earl Ingarfield | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Gord Wappel | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Reggie Lemelin | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Rick Adduono | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Dave Gorman | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Serge Beaudoin | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Jim Craig | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Brad Smith | 24 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | – | – | – | – | - |
| Pat Riggin | 31 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | - |
$^†$Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Atlanta. Stats reflect time with the Flames only. $^‡$Traded mid-season.

### Goaltending

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
| | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Player | # | GP | TOI | W | L | T | GA | SO | GAA | GP | TOI | W | L | GA | SO | GAA |
| Dan Bouchard | 30 | 53 | 3076 | 23 | 19 | 10 | 163 | 2 | 3.18 | 4 | 240 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 3.49 |
| Pat Riggin | 31 | 25 | 1368 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 73 | 0 | 3.20 | – | – | – | – | – | – | -.-- |
| Jim Craig | 1 | 4 | 206 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 3.79 | – | – | – | – | – | – | -.-- |
| Reggie Lemelin | 1 | 3 | 150 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 6.00 | – | – | – | – | – | – | -.-- |

## Transactions

The Flames were involved in the following transactions during the 1979–80 season.

### Trades

| May 24, 1979 | To Atlanta Flames Curt Bennett | To St. Louis Blues Bobby Simpson |
| October 10, 1979 | To Atlanta Flames Garry Unger | To St. Louis Blues Ed Kea Red Laurence 2nd round pick in 1981 (Hakan Nordin) |
| October 23, 1979 | To Atlanta Flames Future considerations | To Boston Bruins Bobby Lalonde |
| February 8, 1980 | To Atlanta Flames Don Lever Brad Smith | To Vancouver Canucks Ivan Boldirev Darcy Rota |

### Free agents

| Player | Former team |
| D Pekka Rautakallio | Assat Pori (SM-liiga) |
| D Serge Beaudoin | Birmingham Bulls (WHA) |
| RW Dave Gorman | Birmingham Bulls (WHA) |
| LW Paul Henderson | Birmingham Bulls (WHA) |
| C Rick Adduono | Birmingham Bulls (WHA) |
| LW Earl Ingarfield | Lethbridge Broncos (WHL) |
| Player | New team |
| G Yves Belanger | Boston Bruins |

### Expansion draft

| Player | Selected by |
| LW John Gould | Edmonton Oilers |
| D Rick Hodgson | Hartford Whalers |
| C Gene Carr | Winnipeg Jets |

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team |
| 1 | 12. | Paul Reinhart (D) | Canada | Kitchener Rangers (OHA) |
| 2 | 23. | Mike Perovich (D) | Canada | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 2 | 33. | Pat Riggin (G) | Canada | London Knights (OHA) |
| 3 | 54. | Tim Hunter (RW) | Canada | Seattle Breakers (WHL) |
| 4 | 75. | Jim Peplinski (RW) | Canada | Toronto Marlboros (OHA) |
| 5 | 96. | Brad Kempthorne (F) | Canada | Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) |
| 6 | 117. | Glenn Johnson (C) | Canada | University of Denver (NCAA) |