Posted on June 21, 2023

Ryan Huska was named the Calgary Flames Head Coach on June 12 and shortly after Jarome Iginla was named as Special Advisor to the General Manager to round out the Flames Hockey Operations team. The guys discuss these moves and look ahead to the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, previewing possible Flames draft picks in the first round and beyond.

Posted on June 2, 2023

Who thought the Calgary Flames would have so much going on after the season ended? Both General Manager Brad Treliving and Head Coach Darryl Sutter have left the organization. After an exhaustive search Craig Conroy was named as the new General Manager and now he has to hire a Head Coach. The guys break down all these moves and discuss the impacts on the future of the Flames, and if the team can still be in “win now” mode next season.

Posted on April 17, 2023

The Calgary Flames missed the playoffs this season by only 3 points. There is no doubt this year has been a disappointment for the Flames and the C of Red with lots to discuss as Dan and Matt dissect what went wrong this season and what we can expect to see come next season.

With the Flames out, we’ll be taking a break from new episodes until closer to the NHL Entry Draft in late June, or if significant news breaks before then. Check back at FiresideChat.ca or our social media platforms for info on when we’ll be recording next.

Posted on April 9, 2023

With two losses this week, the Calgary Flames are on the verge of being eliminated from the Western Conference Wildcard race. Dan and Matt will look at what it will take for the Flames to make the playoffs at this point and if they expect to see call-ups from the AHL Calgary Wranglers in the lineup for the last two games of the season.

Posted on April 3, 2023

The Calgary Flames have win four games in a row for the first time this season! The guys break down the games and news of the week and discuss if they are convinced the Flames will be a playoff team, or if the team will fall short of the post-season despite their recent successes.

Posted on March 27, 2023

Another week of games for the Calgary Flames, and another roller coaster ride for the C of Red. This week the guys talk about the reports that Nazem Kadri has been very vocal behind the scenes about Darryl Sutter as a coach and Mikael Backlund’s game. We also get the initial thoughts  Flames officially signing Matthew Coronato and when we might see him in the lineup and with whom.

Posted on March 20, 2023

The Calgary Flames are working their way back into the Western Conference Wildcard race. The guys discuss the games from this week and what the team can build on going forward. They also look at the career year Tyler Toffoli is having and debate if Mikael Backlund should have his contract renewed and be made the team’s next Captain.

Posted on March 13, 2023

In the first two games this week the Calgary Flames looked like a very different team than we’ve seen all season. They looked like a team that actually needed to win some games. And then they reverted to their old ways against the Anaheim Ducks. The guys discuss if it’d be better for the Flames to make it into the playoffs and lose in the first round or not make the playoffs to send a message. As well, they look at how Troy Stetcher and Nick Ritchie have looked as Flames, and introduce you to the newest Wrangler Kristians Rubins.

Posted on March 6, 2023

The Calgary Flames have had a rotten week on the ice, with 3 losses in three games. Then on March 3, the Calgary Flames became the last team in the NHL to make a trade this season with 2 small trades. The Flames brought in Dryden Hunt, Nick Ritchie and Troy Stetcher and said goodbye to Brett Ritchie, Radim Zohorna and Connor Mackey. The guys introduce you to these new Flames and if they think the Flames came out ahead or not.

Posted on February 27, 2023

With the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline now less than a week away, the guys spend most of this episode discussing what the Calgary Flames should be doing at the deadline. Between Dan Vladar and Jacob Markstrom, neither goalie has looked good since the All-Star break. Darryl Sutter said this week, “win, and you’re in” is the strategy for the goalies. Is that the best strategy at this point?

Posted on February 20, 2023

The Calgary Flames have another disappointing week, but somehow still manage to be in the playoff hunt.  The guys discuss the Allan Walsh tweet this week and if it was a fair criticism. That brings up the question…it time to name a Captain for the Calgary Flames to bring some leadership to the team?

Posted on February 13, 2023

Dan and Matt are back to review the Calgary Flames’ 1-1-1 week on the road and the very different games we saw from the team in each game. Then the guys spend most of the show looking ahead to the NHL Trade Deadline, which is less than 3 weeks away. Should the Flames be buyers? Sellers? Or stand pat?

Posted on February 5, 2023

With the Flames on their all star break, the guys didn’t record an episode. Instead, Dan appeared on the Shifts and Pucks podcast where he and the crew continued some of the discussions from Episode 317 with Kevin Olenick.

Posted on January 30, 2023

The Calgary Flames had a very Jekyll and Hyde week with a big loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and a big win versus the Seattle Kraken. And don’t forget the return of Johnny Gaudreau to the Saddledome where he took on Jonathan Huberdeau. Johnny Hockey vs Jonathan Hockey.

This week Dan is joined by Kevin Olenick of the Shifts and Pucks podcast to break down what went wrong this week and discuss some bigger issues surrounding the Flames as they embark on their All-Star Break.

Posted on January 23, 2023

Another up-and-down week for the Calgary Flames still has the guys questioning some of the decisions of Darryl Sutter’s coaching staff. The guys give a report on Oliver Kylington’s status and continue to discuss the issues with the Flames not playing young players. With Johnny Gaudreau returning to Calgary and a relatively easy week on the schedule before the Flames bye week, what should we expect for the Flames this week?

Posted on January 16, 2023

This week Dan goes on a rant trying to figure out the disconnect between the Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving and Head Coach Darryl Sutter around the Jakob Pelletier call-up and not being played. As well, the guys debate how the goalies should be used for the rest of the month and if Jacob Markstrom or Dan Vladar should be starting in net for the remainder of the month.

Posted on January 9, 2023

The Calgary Flames have made it to the middle point of the season, and they sit in a wild-card spot now. With Jacob Markstrom struggling again this week the guys discuss if Dan Vladar should get the net again, and what to expect from the Jakob Pelletier recall. To end the show Dan and Matt recap their pre-season predictions to see how they’re doing right now.

Posted on January 3, 2023

As the calendar turns to 2023 the Calgary Flames are back in a playoff spot – only down 3 points from where they were this time last year. It feels like the team is finally getting going, and the lines have been settled. The guys recap the 2022 half of the season and look ahead to the 2023 half of the season and what the Flames need to do to stay in a playoff spot.

Posted on December 19, 2022

The Calgary Flames are now on a 5 game-losing streak, and this week the guys wrap up 2022 by trying to figure out what’s going on with the team right now and what they need to do better in the second half of the season. With the Calgary Flames still underperforming after 30 games, the guys have a serious discussion about what the issues with the team are and why they’re not living up to expectations. Could it be time to start looking at a different Head Coach for the Calgary Flames?

Posted on December 12, 2022

The big news around the Calgary Flames this week was that the team made a pair of callups, bringing Matthew Phillips and Radim Zohorna up to the NHL roster while scratching Milan Lucic and sending Kevin Rooney to the AHL Calgary Wranglers. Joined by special guest Kevin Olenick from the Shifts and Pucks podcast the guys discuss what these call-ups mean for the Flames and what it’ll take for these players to stay in the NHL.

Posted on December 5, 2022

This week we’re joined by Mike Gould to get his takes on the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers and how that team is doing this season. Mike also gives us his thoughts on the question that’s been on everyone’s mind – who should (and who likely will) be the first recall from the Wranglers. Mike, Dan and Matt also discuss the goaltending, the Flames’ fourth line and who needs to be held more accountable.

Posted on November 28, 2022

We’re at the quarter point in the season and the C of Red is frustrated by the underperforming team. This week the guys answer questions from our listeners including if Dan Vladar should get more starts in the short term, and who the ideal linemates for Jonathan Huberdeau are. Plus, they revisit the question of who the best recall from the Calgary Wranglers to spark the team would be.

Posted on November 21, 2022

Another great week from Adam Ruzicka has the guys wondering if he could be the answer for the Flames need for a top 4 winger, or if he’s just on a hot streak right now. They also debate if the Flames have the right guys in the right spots on the lineup now or if they expect to see some more shuffling on the lines as the season goes on to find the right groupings.

Posted on November 14, 2022

The Calgary Flames have finally snapped their 7 game losing streak with a big win over the Winnipeg Jets. The guys debate if this losing streak changes their outlook on the Flames season, and their chances to be a competitor for the Stanley Cup. 

Posted on November 7, 2022

The Calgary Flames are now on a four-game losing streak as they head out on their first road trip of the season. The guys break down their thoughts on what went wrong this week, and how the Flames can rebound on their trip to the East Coast.  With Michael Stone on the IR, Nick DeSimone and Dennis Gilbert have been recalled. The Flames’ blueline looks like it could be in trouble during this road trip. Dan and Matt discuss if Mackey’s poor play against New Jersey opens a spot on the blueline, and how badly they want Oliver Kylington back right now.

Posted on October 31, 2022

The Calgary Flames are off to the best start in franchise history, as they are 5-2 at the end of October.  Has a long home stand to open the season helped the team or hurt them? And what does November have in store? We answer these questions and more including a listener question about Connor McDavid and if he’s what stands between the Flames and the Stanley Cup this season.

Posted on October 24, 2022

The Calgary Flames are off to a 4-1 start to the season and our hosts have the most optimism they’ve had in a long time. The guys recap the last week of Flames games and if they’re worried about Jacob Markstrom. Dan Vladar’s new contract has received mixed reactions from Flames fans but our hosts think it’s a great deal and gives the Flames a lot of options for the future.  Then Dan and Matt give their thoughts on the Flames reverse retro jersey ‘black pedestal jersey’ and what major change Dan thinks should be made, plus an surprising old Flames player Matt got put on his jersey.

Posted on October 17, 2022

The Calgary Flames are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2009. With big wins over the Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalance, and the Edmonton Oilers this week the guys discuss their impressions of the Flames in these first two games including the play of Dan Vladar and Michael Stone.

Posted on October 10, 2022

This week’s episode is much longer than usual, but we had a lot to cover in our season preview. We kick off the 11th season of our podcast recapping the Calgary Flames training camp and discussing who impressed and disappointed us, and what the opening day lineup might look like as a result and what holes need to be filled. We recap some of the recent contract signings for the team and then make some bold predictions for the 2022-2023 Calgary Flames season and how we think the team will do this year.