"Al was a scary guy."
If the spring of 1989 represented MacInnis' professional peak, then the 1990-91 season cemented his status as one of his generation's finest at his position; he joined Bobby Orr (six times), Paul Coffey (five), Brian Leetch and Denis Potvin as the only defensemen in NHL history to score 100 points in a season. He reached the mark on March 28, 1991, at the Saddledome in Game 78, getting four points (one goal, three assists) against the Edmonton Oilers.
That pushed MacInnis to his season total of 103 points (28 goals and 75 assists), second to Theo Fleury (104) on the Flames. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team and finished second in Norris Trophy voting to Ray Bourque of the Boston Bruins.
"Did I realize what I was doing that year?" MacInnis said. "Not really. I mean, I look at it now and go, 'Wow. A hundred points.' Seems crazy.
"As a player, you're not thinking about personal milestones. At least I didn't. I know it sounds a bit goofy, but I'd always compare a season to a round of golf: doesn't matter what you shot out there, you always felt you left something on the course. If you shot 77, you felt 'Damn, without those two three-putts, I could've shot 74.' "
New economic realities would lead to the breakup of the old Calgary gang.
On July 4, 1994, the Flames reluctantly traded MacInnis, a restricted free agent, to the Blues, five days after trading Stanley Cup-winning goalie Mike Vernon to the Detroit Red Wings.