Lanny McDonald not only became the first Calgary Flames player to score 50 in 1982-83 but that year he became the only player in franchise history to top the 60 goal plateau. McDonald finished the season with 66, placing him second in the NHL, just five behind leader Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers.
A bit of a trick question. Guy Chouinard scored exactly 50 goals in 1978-79 but when the franchise was still in Atlanta. Chouinard is the only player from the Atlanta Flames to reach the milestone. Interestingly, many of Lanny’s goals in 1982-83 were assisted by Chouinard.
In the history of the Calgary Flames, to date, six others have scored 50 or more in a single season: Joe Nieuwendyk, Hakan Loob, Joe Mullen, Theoren Fleury, Gary Roberts and Jarome Iginla. The next highest total after McDonald’s 66 is the 53 Roberts scored in 1991-92. Both Nieuwendyk and Iginla accompished the feat twice with the Flames.