 The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta , Georgia from 1972 until 1980 . They played out of the Omni Coliseum and were members of the West and later Patrick divisions of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . Along with the New York Islanders , the Flames were created in 1971 as part of the NHL 's expansion from 17 to 18 teams. Unterscheidung zwischen NHL und WHA . The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia from 1972 until 1980. The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia from 