1998 – 99 Calgary Flames season The 1998 – 99 Calgary Flames season was the 19th National Hockey League season in Calgary . The Flames opened their season up at " home " , in Tokyo , Japan , as the NHL scheduled a two game series in the Asian country between the Flames and the San Jose Sharks . The Flames were plagued by numerous injuries to their goaltenders , including both starter Ken Wregget and backup Tyler Moss at the same time . Ultimately , the Flames were forced to recall Tyrone Garner from his junior team on an emergency basis before finally signing Fred Brathwaite , who was playing in Europe with the Canadian National team . The highly popular Brathwaite recorded a shutout against the Dallas Stars in his first start , allowing the Flames goaltending situation to stabilize . In all , the Flames used six different goaltenders . February 28 , 1999 , marked the end of an era for the Flames , as diminutive star Theoren Fleury was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche in a five player trade that ultimately saw prospect Robyn Regehr come to the Flames as part of the deal . Fleury was the Flames ' all time leading scorer when he was dealt . The deal was made as the small - market Flames felt they would be unable to meet Fleury ' s contract demands , as he was set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent in the summer . Despite losing their top star , the Flames proceeded to win seven of their first ten games without Fleury , propelling them into a playoff position . Calgary would win only two of their last eleven games , however , falling to 9th in the conference and missing the playoffs by six points . Before being dealt , Fleury represented the Flames at the 1999 NHL All Star Game , recording two assists for the North American team . During this season , the Flames introduced the " flaming horse " third jerseys in conjunction with the " Year of the Cowboy . " Prior to the season , the Flames lost defenceman Joel Bouchard to the Nashville Predators in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft . In addition , the Flames dealt Jim Dowd to the Preds in exchange for a promise not to draft a goaltender in the draft . Playoffs . The Flames finished 9th in the Western Conference , just six points behind the 8th place Edmonton Oilers . Calgary failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season . Player stats . 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 . Goaltenders . " Note : GP = Games played ; TOI = Time on ice ( minutes ) ; W = Wins ; L = Losses ; T = Ties ; GA = Goals against ; SO = Shutouts ; GAA = Goals against average " Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Calgary . Stats reflect time with the Flames only . Transactions . The Flames were involved in the following transactions during the 1998 – 99 season . Draft picks . Calgary ' s picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft , held in Buffalo , New York . Farm teams . Saint John Flames . The Baby Flames finished the 1998 – 99 AHL season with a record of 31 – 40 – 8 – 1 , fourth in the Atlantic Division with 71 points . They proceeded to shock the division winning Lowell Lock Monsters in the first round of the playoffs 3 games to 0 . The Flames would then be swept themselves by the Fredericton Canadiens . Martin St . Louis led the Flames in both goals ( 28 ) and points ( 62 ) . Saint John used five different goaltenders as a result of Calgary ' s injury woes in goal . Jean - Sebastien Giguere played the most games , going 18 – 16 – 3 in 39 games . Johnstown Chiefs . The Flames signed a secondary affiliation deal with the Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League prior to the start of the season . They finished 27 – 34 – 9 , fifth , and last , in the Northeast Division . The Chiefs missed the playoffs .