The 1972–73 Atlanta Flames season was the inaugural season for the Flames' franchise.

Offseason

NHL amateur draft

NHL Expansion Draft

Regular season

When it was first announced that Atlanta would have an NHL franchise many hockey observers thought that a team based in the southern United States was a ludicrous and foolish move, especially since the talent pool had been diluted by repeated expansion and the upstart WHA. Nevertheless, the team quickly began front office operations, naming young

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

assistant general manager

Cliff Fletcher George Clifford "Cliff" Fletcher (born August 16, 1935) is a National Hockey League executive and is a former general manager of the Atlanta Flames/Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Phoenix Coyotes. He is currently a senior advisor to th ...

as general manager. Soon after, Fletcher had found the team its first coach: former

Canadiens French Canadians, referred to as Canadiens mainly before the nineteenth century, are an ethnic group descended from French colonists first arriving in France's colony of Canada in 1608. The vast majority of French Canadians live in the provi ...

star forward Bernie "Boom-Boom" Geoffrion. The team was a pleasant surprise in its first season on the ice, its success built on new star

goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

Dan Bouchard Daniel Hector Bouchard (born December 12, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Quebec Nordiques, and original Winnipeg Jets. Car ...

and Phil Myre, solid defensemen such as Randy Manery and Pat Quinn, and forwards

Rey Comeau Reynald Xavier Comeau (born October 25, 1948) is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 564 games in the National Hockey League between 1972 and 1980. He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Flames, and Colorado Rockies ...

, (

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

) Keith McCreary, Larry Romanchych and Bob Leiter. Despite its inexperience as a team, the Flames were quite successful in the beginning of their rookie season, posting a 20–19–8 record by January 19,

1973 Events January * January 1 – The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 14 - The 16-0 19 ...

, off the success of their young goaltending tandem. However, they lost 19 of their last 31 games, finishing out of the playoffs. Part of the problem as that in defiance of all geographic reality, the Flames were placed in the West Division—saddling them with some of the longest road trips in the league—and ultimately, the team's excellent defense and goaltending were sabotaged by its lack of goalscoring, finishing second worst in the NHL in that category. However, their 65 points were 35 better than the Islanders, who toiled at the bottom of the East Division.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , W, , October 7, 1972, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1972–73) , , 1–0–0 , , 12,221 , - , 2, , L, , October 8, 1972, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1972–73) , , 1–1–0 , , 15,508 , - , 3, , L, , October 11, 1972, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

( 1972–73) , , 1–2–0 , , N/A , - , 4, , L, , October 12, 1972, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1972–73) , , 1–3–0 , , 16,002 , - , 5, , T, , October 14, 1972, , 1–1 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 1–3–1 , , 14,568 , - , 6, , L, , October 18, 1972, , 0–6 , , align="left",

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

( 1972–73) , , 1–4–1 , , 8,852 , - , 7, , W, , October 21, 1972, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 2–4–1 , , 15,229 , - , 8, , L, , October 22, 1972, , 2–7 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 2–5–1 , , 15,516 , - , 9, , W, , October 25, 1972, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

California Golden Seals The California Golden Seals were a professional ice hockey club that competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967–68 NHL season, 1967 to 1975–76 NHL season, 1976. Based in Oakland, California, they played their home games at the Oa ...

( 1972–73) , , 3–5–1 , , 1,998 , - , 10, , L, , October 26, 1972, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1972–73) , , 3–6–1 , , 6,155 , - , 11, , W, , October 28, 1972, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1972–73) , , 4–6–1 , , 15,570 , - , - , 12, , W, , November 1, 1972, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1972–73) , , 5–6–1 , , 11,344 , - , 13, , L, , November 2, 1972, , 1–6 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 5–7–1 , , 12,280 , - , 14, , T, , November 5, 1972, , 2–2 , , align="left",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1972–73) , , 5–7–2 , , 10,732 , - , 15, , T, , November 8, 1972, , 3–3 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 5–7–3 , , 9,073 , - , 16, , W, , November 10, 1972, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 6–7–3 , , 12,066 , - , 17, , W, , November 12, 1972, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 7–7–3 , , 10,486 , - , 18, , L, , November 15, 1972, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 7–8–3 , , 16,381 , - , 19, , W, , November 16, 1972, , 4–0 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 8–8–3 , , 9,820 , - , 20, , L, , November 18, 1972, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1972–73) , , 8–9–3 , , 10,959 , - , 21, , W, , November 19, 1972, , 3–2 , , align="left",

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1972–73) , , 9–9–3 , , 9,972 , - , 22, , L, , November 21, 1972, , 1–3 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1972–73) , , 9–10–3 , , 11,505 , - , 23, , L, , November 24, 1972, , 0–4 , , align="left",

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1972–73) , , 9–11–3 , , 15,078 , - , 24, , W, , November 26, 1972, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 10–11–3 , , 9,041 , - , 25, , L, , November 29, 1972, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 10–12–3 , , 15,125 , - , 26, , T, , November 30, 1972, , 5–5 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 10–12–4 , , 14,221 , - , - , 27, , T, , December 2, 1972, , 4–4 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 10–12–5 , , 16,455 , - , 28, , L, , December 3, 1972, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 10–13–5 , , 17,500 , - , 29, , W, , December 7, 1972, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 11–13–5 , , 11,018 , - , 30, , L, , December 9, 1972, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 11–14–5 , , 18,425 , - , 31, , L, , December 10, 1972, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 11–15–5 , , 11,140 , - , 32, , W, , December 13, 1972, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 12–15–5 , , 11,044 , - , 33, , L, , December 16, 1972, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 12–16–5 , , 11,095 , - , 34, , W, , December 17, 1972, , 4–0 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 13–16–5 , , 10,117 , - , 35, , W, , December 20, 1972, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 14–16–5 , , 12,590 , - , 36, , W, , December 21, 1972, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 15–16–5 , , 17,500 , - , 37, , L, , December 23, 1972, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 15–17–5 , , 15,003 , - , 38, , L, , December 27, 1972, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 15–18–5 , , 15,078 , - , 39, , T, , December 30, 1972, , 1–1 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 15–18–6 , , 17,024 , - , - , 40, , W, , January 2, 1973, , 6–1 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 16–18–6 , , 10,042 , - , 41, , L, , January 3, 1973, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 16–19–6 , , 11,144 , - , 42, , T, , January 6, 1973, , 2–2 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 16–19–7 , , 19,065 , - , 43, , W, , January 7, 1973, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 17–19–7 , , 9,206 , - , 44, , W, , January 10, 1973, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 18–19–7 , , 11,829 , - , 45, , W, , January 12, 1973, , 1–0 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 19–19–7 , , 15,078 , - , 46, , W, , January 14, 1973, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 20–19–7 , , 11,194 , - , 47, , T, , January 17, 1973, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 20–19–8 , , 18,181 , - , 48, , L, , January 19, 1973, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 20–20–8 , , 15,078 , - , 49, , L, , January 21, 1973, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 20–21–8 , , 15,078 , - , 50, , L, , January 24, 1973, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 20–22–8 , , 11,222 , - , 51, , T, , January 26, 1973, , 3–3 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 20–22–9 , , 15,078 , - , 52, , W, , January 28, 1973, , 8–5 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 21–22–9 , , 15,668 , - , - , 53, , W, , February 1, 1973, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 22–22–9 , , 14,169 , - , 54, , L, , February 3, 1973, , 0–1 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 22–23–9 , , 12,862 , - , 55, , L, , February 4, 1973, , 0–6 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 22–24–9 , , 17,500 , - , 56, , L, , February 7, 1973, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 22–25–9 , , 13,186 , - , 57, , L, , February 9, 1973, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 22–26–9 , , 15,078 , - , 58, , W, , February 11, 1973, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 23–26–9 , , 13,422 , - , 59, , T, , February 14, 1973, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 23–26–10 , , 3,829 , - , 60, , L, , February 16, 1973, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 23–27–10 , , 15,570 , - , 61, , T, , February 17, 1973, , 3–3 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 23–27–11 , , 11,108 , - , 62, , T, , February 21, 1973, , 2–2 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 23–27–12 , , 16,352 , - , 63, , L, , February 25, 1973, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 23–28–12 , , N/A , - , - , 64, , T, , March 1, 1973, , 4–4 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 23–28–13 , , 12,730 , - , 65, , L, , March 3, 1973, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 23–29–13 , , 15,512 , - , 66, , W, , March 4, 1973, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 24–29–13 , , 11,565 , - , 67, , L, , March 7, 1973, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 24–30–13 , , 12,632 , - , 68, , L, , March 9, 1973, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 24–31–13 , , 15,078 , - , 69, , L, , March 10, 1973, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 24–32–13 , , 16,600 , - , 70, , T, , March 14, 1973, , 1–1 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 24–32–14 , , 15,078 , - , 71, , W, , March 17, 1973, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 25–32–14 , , 15,078 , - , 72, , L, , March 18, 1973, , 1–7 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 25–33–14 , , 15,003 , - , 73, , L, , March 22, 1973, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 25–34–14 , , 15,078 , - , 74, , L, , March 24, 1973, , 0–7 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 25–35–14 , , N/A , - , 75, , L, , March 25, 1973, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 25–36–14 , , 13,200 , - , 76, , L, , March 28, 1973, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 25–37–14 , , 10,081 , - , 77, , L, , March 29, 1973, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1972–73) , , 25–38–14 , , 16,600 , - , - , 78, , T, , April 1, 1973, , 4–4 , , align="left",

( 1972–73) , , 25–38–15 , , 13,592 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Skaters

''Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes'' ^†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''

Transactions

The Flames were involved in the following transactions during the 1972–73 season.

Trades

Free agents

Claimed off waivers

References

Flames on Hockey Database

{{DEFAULTSORT:1972-73 Atlanta Flames season

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

Atlanta Flames seasons