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 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 26, 2024

After a disappointing week last week, the Calgary Flames won all three of their games this week and still sit outside a playoff spot. The guys talk about the crazy Battle of Alberta game this week and the big roles Dryden Hunt and Dan Vladar played in the win. With Andrei Kuzmenko playing up and down the lineup lately, we discuss if he is the player Flames fans hoped for when he was acquired. To wrap up the show we share our thoughts on Miikka Kiprusoff’s jersey retirement which happens this Saturday (March 2).

Posted on January 29, 2024

We’ve seen the most roster turnover in a week that we can remember for the Calgary Flames. Adam Ruzicka and Nick DeSimone were lost to waivers, and AJ Greer is out for 8 weeks due to injury, which has prompted Adam Klapka, Cole Schwindt and Matt Coronato to be recalled.  Combine the roster turnover with a lousy week on the ice, and the guys discuss if this All-Star break can be considered the official start of the Flames rebuild. Plus you get to hear Dan and Matt’s annual rant on the NHL All-Star game and their dislike of the whole event.

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 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 September 25, 2023

On the opening night of the Calgary Flames pre-season, Dan and Matt are back to discuss the Young Stars Classic and give a preview of the Flames training camp and pre-season. The guys discuss who should be the next captain if they’re worried about Oliver Kylington not reporting to training camp and what young players might be making a push for an NHL roster spot.

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 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 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 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 February 7, 2022

Matt is on the IR with an undisclosed upper body injury, so Dan is joined this week by Kevin Olenick of the Shifts and Pucks podcast to get Kevin’s take on the Canucks trade rumours from last week, give some mid-season thoughts on the Calgary Flames and discuss if the scoring depth the Flames need can come from their farm team – which prompts Kevin to give us the #PlayPelletier hashtag.

Posted on November 11, 2021

We discuss if Sean Monahan as a fourth-line centre is sustainable, and when does he get traded if he stays in that role? The Flames can’t keep up the pace they’re on so the guys discuss what is going to give first and where we see the cracks starting to form.  Plus, we give our thoughts on the Jack Eichel deal now that it’s all said and done. To end the show this week we look at how the Flames prospects in the AHL are doing so far this year.

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.