Posted on April 22, 2024

The first season of the Calgary Flames retool is in the books. This season the guys break down the exit interviews from the Flames and what information we can gain from them (or from reading between the lines). As they do at the end of every season, Dan and Matt review the season predictions that they made in the pre-season to see how well they did.

This will be the last show on our regular Monday release schedule. We’ll be back to preview the NHL Entry Draft in mid to late June, follow our social media accounts for an announcement as to when the next show will be.

Posted on April 15, 2024

The Calgary Flames had a pretty successful week, even though they didn’t play very well in most games. If the NHL Entry Draft was today, the Flames would likely pick at #8. The guys discuss the good weeks for Andrei Kuzmenko and Connor Zary and answer a question from listener Al about how the decisions that have been made by the team in the past that have lead the team to where they are now.

Posted on April 8, 2024

Even with the three losses this week, there was still plenty to discuss about the Calgary Flames including where they may pick in the draft, whether Connor Zary can be the #3 Centre the team needs, whether Martin Pospisil’s third misconduct in two months is worrisome, and what the workload for the two goalies should be for the rest of the season.

Posted on March 25, 2024

This week Jacob Markstrom returned from his injury, but Dan Vladar is out for the season with a hip injury. With Markstrom/Wolf as the tandem for the rest of the season, what do we expect the workload to look like? The guys also discuss an interview that Craig Conroy did with Frank Seravalli this week and what the GM’s comments mean for the future of the Flames.

Former Flame Chris Simon passed away this week at age 52. The entire Fireside Chat team sends our deepest sympathies to Chris’ family and friends. Chris was a big part of the ’04 Stanley Cup run and is fondly remembered by our team and the C of Red.

Posted on March 18, 2024

The Calgary Flames won 2 of their 3 games this week with Dustin Wolf in net – but are still outside of the playoff picture. This week’s discussion revolves around the roster situation with AJ Greer back, the guys discuss how the roster should be juggled up front and how the Flames should manage starts for their three goaltenders for the rest of the season with Jacob Markstrom, Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf all showing they can play at the NHL level.  The guys also chat about Jonathan Huberdeau and how his game has improved since the All-Star game.

Posted on February 19, 2024

What the heck happened to the Calgary Flames? Last week was a fantastic week for the team; this week, they look like they can barely compete. The guys debate if the pressure of the Trade Deadline is affecting the team or what else might be causing this change. While on the topic of Trade Deadline we break down some of the recent trade rumours around Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Jacob Markstrom.

Posted on January 15, 2024

Three games, three wins for the Calgary Flames this week during the “Dads and mentors” trip. What do we have to do to keep the Dads around for the rest of the season? The guys talk about this week’s games and if this is a sign the Flames will turn this around to sneak into a Wild Card spot as well as answer some listener questions.

Posted on January 8, 2024

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve talked about the Calgary Flames, so there is lots to discuss this week. Both of our hosts are confused about what criteria were used to determine that Elias Lindholm was the Calgary Flames All-Star for this year. We also discuss Oliver Kylington’s conditioning stint with the Calgary Wranglers – what it means and why fans need to be cautiously optimistic. Since we’re at the mid-point in the season, the guys look back at the season predictions they made back in October to see just how badly they’re doing.

Posted on December 18, 2023

The Calgary Flames played four top teams this week and managed to get four points in the hardest way possible. After another less-than-stellar week, the guys discuss what we’ve learned about Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf over the last week and how the Flames could use their goalies going forward. With 2023 coming to an end the guys predict the next few Flames game results and if they can go .500 until the near year. Plus, each of our hosts gives their wish for what the Flames need to change for 2024.

We’re going to be taking a holiday break so there won’t be a new episode until January 7, 2024! We hope you’ll join is then.

Posted on December 11, 2023

The Calgary Flames ended their longest homestand of the season with only one win in 3 games. With the Flames 3 points out of a playoff spot and 3 points out of a top 5 draft pick this season, the guys discuss the disappointment that continues to follow the team and reset expectations for the season. This week’s big story surrounds the goalies – with Jacob Markstrom injured Dustin Wolf was recalled and got 2 starts this week. The guys discuss their thoughts on Dustin Wolf and Dan Vladar’s play and what we think will happen with the Flames goaltending for the rest of the year.

Posted on November 13, 2023

In the second of our two-part crossover episode with the Shifts and Pucks podcast, Dan is out for the week so Matt is joined by Kevin Olenick to discuss Jonathan Huberdeau’s reduced minutes this week, Dustin Wolf’s season debut and the rumours that Nikita Zadorov has asked for a trade away from the Calgary Flames. Of course, we can’t help but comment on Jay Woodcroft being fired as coach for the Edmonton Oilers and taking solace in the fact the Flames might not be where they want in the standings but are still above the Oilers.

Posted on October 30, 2023

With the Calgary Flames now 2-7 to start the season, the guys try to figure out what the team’s issue is now and if it is finally time for fans to panic. Then, our hosts take a good hard look at whether it is time for the Calgary Flames to seriously and, if so, what that would realistically look like to achieve and if the Calgary fanbase would accept a rebuild to get the Flames back into Stanley Cup contention.

Posted on October 9, 2023

As we get ready to kick off the 2023-2024 NHL season, the guys preview who they expect to make the opening day roster and if the Flames are going into this season as an underdog – and if so, does that help the players manage expectations? To end the show, the hosts play their annual prediction game as they try to look ahead to what might be this year for the Calgary Flames.

Posted on October 2, 2023

This week’s show starts with the sad news of Chris Snow’s passing, and then the guys discuss the new Mikael Backlund contract and being named Captain, as well as Jakob Pelletier’s injury and who might take his roster spot. To end the show, the guys give their thoughts on the 2023 Heritage Classic uniforms and the NHL’s continued insistence on retro styling.

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 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 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 April 25, 2022

The Calgary Flames have clinched the #1 spot in the Pacific Division and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With only three games left in the season, the guys revisit who they want the Flames to play in round 1 – the Nashville Predators or the Dallas Stars and which Calgary Flames depth player could be the x-factor for the team in the playoffs. The guys also discuss if the Flames are utilizing their middle 6 forwards in the most ideal lines or if changes need to be made before the playoffs. And we end the show by answering two fan questions.

Posted on July 17, 2019

In this episode – recorded live at Winsport during the Flames 2019 development camp – Dan and Matt break down what the Flames did (and didn’t do) during the July 1 free agent signing period, and how the team looks at this point. The rest of the show is dedicated to our thoughts on the 2019 Development Camp, and interviews with the prospects in attendance.

Posted on February 5, 2015

With the recent announcement of the AHL Pacific Division we look back at the history of the Flames farm teams, and look ahead to the move to Stockton and what it means for the Flames.  While we’re chatting about the Flames affiliate, we take a look at how the Baby Flames did in January. The […]

Posted on January 28, 2015

A quiet week for the Flames with only two games played gives us a chance to discuss the current NHL All-Star format, and some ideas we have to change the format and make it more important and relevant.  We discuss the callups of David Wolf, Tyler Wotherspoon and Sven Baertschi and what we can expect […]