Posted on March 4, 2026 (Season 14)

The Flames return from the Olympic break and head toward the NHL trade deadline. We recap the California road trip and debate whether the Calgary Flames should sell now or wait until the offseason.

Posted on January 11, 2026 (Season 14)

A narrow victory in Pittsburgh can’t mask the shifting reality for the Calgary Flames as they slide further from playoff contention. This week, we discuss why it’s time to embrace a full-scale rebuild, break down recent roster debuts, and analyze the intensifying trade rumors surrounding the team’s veteran core.

Posted on January 4, 2026 (Season 14)

Dan and Matt recap a busy holiday homestand as the Calgary Flames officially hit the 41-game midpoint of the season. With two own goals scored in one week, the guys have plenty to discuss regarding the last three games, as well as Devin Cooley’s new contract and Andrew Basha’s return to the WHL. To wrap things up, the guys partake in their annual tradition of revisiting their preseason predictions to see how their “hot takes” are holding up at the halfway mark.

Posted on December 30, 2025 (Season 14)

Dan and Matt recap a huge Battle of Alberta win and celebrate Dustin Wolf’s 100th NHL game. The hosts dive into the rumored contract standoff with Rasmus Andersson and the latest on prospects Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz. They wrap up with a look at the daunting January schedule and their weekly predictions.

Posted on December 15, 2025 (Season 14)

Despite a quiet week of movement for Calgary, Dan, Matt, and Kevin Olenick break down the team’s three-game week, highlighted by the exciting Dad’s Trip victory in L.A. The hosts analyze the impressive NHL debut of defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz, debate who will step up to fill the center void left by Michael Backlund’s injury, and discuss the promising development of young players like Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee.

Posted on November 17, 2025 (Season 14)

A milestone 400th episode as Dan and Matt dig into a Calgary Flames week full of mixed signals—flat in St. Louis, dominant against San Jose, and surprisingly competitive versus Winnipeg. With Sam Honzek out week-to-week and the Flames still buried in the standings, the hosts break down what’s working, what isn’t, and what “embracing the rebuild” may really mean.

Posted on September 23, 2025 (Season 14)

The Calgary Flames went 1-1 in the split-squad Battle of Alberta games this week. Our hosts give their assessment of how the two Flames rosters did and how the young players look while cautioning Flames fans to have patience with Zane Parekh as he transitions to professional hockey. Rasmus Andersson is discussed and both hosts agree there is a real chance he may not get traded as many expect. The contract extension for Mikael Backlund is also discussed as well as other news related to the team as they get ready for the next 6 pre-season games.

Posted on March 17, 2025 (Season 13)

After two tough losses, the Calgary Flames fell out of a Western Conference Wildcard spot this week. With a Connor Zary suspension and a Mikael Backlund injury, the Flames are short of NHL-ready bodies without many options to recall from the Wranglers, which might be one of the factors that makes them fall out of playoff contention. With a tough Eastern road trip this week, the Flames may fall out of contention and into the bottom 10 teams of the league by the end of the week.

Posted on October 7, 2024 (Season 13)

This week we discuss the Calgary Flames final roster moves before the season and if Jakob Pelletier being placed on waivers should be a worry for the C of Red. Then the guys look into their crystal balls as they play the annual prediction game, trying to guess at what might or might not happen for the team this season.

Posted on March 18, 2024 (Season 12)

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 November 20, 2023 (Season 12)

Trade rumours have been surrounding the Calgary Flames this week. Nikita Zadorov has asked for a trade and Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev are rumoured to be on the trade block as well. Dan is back this week and the guys discuss these trades if their thoughts on Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri have changed and their thoughts on the new Calgary Wranglers’ “Outlaw” third jersey featuring Blasty.

Posted on October 30, 2023 (Season 12)

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 2, 2023 (Season 12)

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 (Season 12)

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 September 18, 2023 (Season 12)

The Flames had an eventful summer with lots of changes happening. But did the team do enough? This episode gets you caught up with the Flames picks in the 2023 Entry Draft, who we lost and gained as Unrestricted Free Agents, the new coaches for the Flames and Wranglers and more to prepare you for the 2023-2024 season.

Posted on June 2, 2023 (Season 11)

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 (Season 11)

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 March 27, 2023 (Season 11)

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 (Season 11)

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 February 20, 2023 (Season 11)

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 (Season 11)

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 April 25, 2022 (Season 10)

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 February 21, 2022 (Season 10)

After the big Tyler Toffoli trade and three wins to put the team on a nine-game win streak, it’s been a big week for the Flames! We recap the trade and if the Flames paid a reasonable price for Toffoli, this week’s three wins and discuss if the Flames should name a captain before their playoff run this season, or stick with leadership by committee.

Posted on February 14, 2022 (Season 10)

The Calgary Flames are riding high on a six game wining streak and everything seems to be looking good for the team right now. With Andrew Mangiapane, Blake Coleman and Mikael Backlund starting to heat up offensively, has it changed our preception on what the Flames need to do before the NHL Trade Deadline? And with Tyler Toffoli being rumoured to be of interest to the Calgary Flames – what would a reasonable return to aquire him and how would the team fit his long term contract into their salary cap going forward?

Posted on July 17, 2021 (Season 9)

The Stanley Cup has been awarded which means it is time for two of the biggest events of the off-season – the Entry Draft and Expansion Draft, both within 72 hours of each other. This week we talk about the most likely scenario for the expansion in leaving Mark Giordano unprotected, and what other options the team has to try and keep their captain. We also discuss what the Flames need in this year’s Entry Draft overall, what the prospect pool looks like and profile 12 players as possible draft selections for the Flames with their #12 pick.

Posted on February 8, 2021 (Season 9)

If the Flames stay playing at less than .500, what changes need to be made? Is it time to change the coach? GM? Or make major roster moves? The guys answer these questions as well as discuss the Sam Bennett situation and some possible ways to change the forward lines without making major mid-season acquisitions.

Posted on February 1, 2021 (Season 9)

Frustration with the team’s disappointing week leads to debating how to fix the flaws with this team and if it is time to make major changes to the Flames roster before their window of opportunity closes on the current core roster. The guys have different ideas of how to handle the Sam Bennett request for a ‘change of scenery’ and debate how they’d handle the scenario and what a reasonable return might be.

Posted on February 4, 2020 (Season 8)

The Flames are back in action after their bye week and had two big games over the Oilers, and discuss how the Flames went from good to terrible against the Oilers in a 72-hour stretch. Why the inconsistency this season, and can it be remedied, or is the issues the players in the room?

The guys discuss if it’s time to look at Tkachuk and Lindholm as their top two instead of Monahan and Gaudreau – and if so, does it make it easier to trade Monahan or Gaudreau?  Of course we need to talk trades prior to the Trade Deadline, and is it time to move on from TJ Brodie to fill the gaps on the forward ranks? How about Mikael Backlund?

Posted on January 8, 2019 (Season 7)

The Flames have past the half way point of the season and are still first place in the Western Conference. With seven weeks until the Trade Deadline, we discuss what the Flames may need to acquire and what a suitable return would be to make those upgrades.  With Michael Frolik’s agent tweeting to criticize the team’s use of him, is it time for the Flames to move on from Frolik?

We discuss if Dillon Dube and Curtis Lazar are legitimate NHLers, and if they either player should have a spot in the lineup this season, or what they’d have to do to make the team next season.

The Flames play the Jets next season on October 26, 2018 in Regina for one of the Heritage Classic outdoor games. We discuss and speculate what retro style jersey we’d like (or not like) to see the Flames wear for that game.

Posted on December 18, 2018 (Season 7)

The Calgary Flames top line, and the power of the purple Gatorade lead the team to three wins this week. In a week with injuries and lineup changes, the team still managed to keep their spot atop the Western Conference.

We recap our 2018-2019 predictions as we close out the 2018 calendar year, and share our thoughts on Bill Peters so far as the coach, as well as looking ahead to the 2019 portion of the season, and what the Flames need to do to last as a top team in the West.

Posted on December 10, 2018 (Season 7)

This week had ups and downs for the Flames, but can be summed up as 3…2…1. Three wins before the loss to the Oilers (the end of a 5 game […]

Posted on January 23, 2018 (Season 6) | (Specials)

Because of the Flames bye week, we don’t have enough to discuss for a full show – but this week Dan and Matt joined Kevin Olenick of the Bottom Line View NHL YouTube channel to recap the Flames season so far, discuss where the Flames might go this season – and look ahead to the trade deadline.

We’ll be back with a regular episode next week, but we hope you enjoy this recap in the mean time.

Posted on December 7, 2016 (Season 5)

The Flames swept this week, winning everything including a big 8-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The team looks like they’re turning things around, currently sitting tied for a Wildcard playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Flames lines are looking different these days with some players returning, some out, and Gaudreau and Monahan playing on different lines. We look at each Flames line and how it’s contributing to the team’s success.

At the 1/3 point of the season we look at Flames stats so far, what players are doing well and who is slumping, and we’ll look at the results of the Flames Super Skills competition.

Posted on November 2, 2016 (Season 5)

After a good week of Flames hockey we’re back to recap the last week of games, and to look at what now seems to be a finalized version of the Flames lineup. The third and fourth lines have been the best forward groups on the ice this season, and the Monahan and Gaudreau needs to be better for the Flames to have continued success. We recap the Stockton Heat’s week and look ahead to the Flames California road trip. Can we break the Honda Center curse finally?

Posted on April 19, 2013 (Season 1)

This week we boast a little bit about the Flames big win over the Oilers, what the Oilers have done wrong in their re-build and what the Flames can learn from it. Lucas brings up the Flames need to get tougher, and wonders which of the Flames prospects could fit that role, and we discuss which prospects are Restricted Free Agents this summer, and who we’d resign and who we’d let go.