Podcasts – Fireside Chat

The Flames' playoff dreams have been extinguished. The guys deliver their final thoughts on the season, dissect the upcoming free agent decisions (who stays, who goes?), and speculate on potential further roster changes. Plus, Dan and Matt revisit their preseason predictions – how did they fare?

This episode recaps the past week's games against San Jose, Anaheim, and Minnesota, along with discussion of the Calgary Flames' playoff hopes, detailing scenarios for playoff qualification. The show also discusses the implications of the Flames' standing in the draft, Sharangovich's return to form, if Zayne Parekh should get into the lineup and and whether Craig Conroy's Trade Deadline decisions were the right call. The guys also preview the first-ever Harvey's Mountain Classic animated game.

In this episode of Fireside Chat, the hosts delve into the Calgary Flames' precarious playoff position after a week of mixed results, analyzing controversial disallowed goals and the impact of Sam Honzek's recurring injuries. They also discuss the timelines for prospects Aydar Suniev and Zayne Parekh, and spark a lively debate on whether the Flames should pursue offer sheets for top talents like Matthew Knies, Kappo Kakko, Marco Rossi, Noah Dobson, or Evan Bouchard, to bolster their roster.

Time is running out. The Calgary Flames are seven points adrift, and the clock is ticking on their playoff aspirations. With only ten games left, is it too little, too late? On this episode of Fireside Chat, we dive deep into the standings, scrutinize the team's recent performance, and confront the harsh reality: can the Flames pull off a miracle?

This week Dan and Matt are joined by Kevin Olenick from the Shifts and Pucks podcast. They dive deep into the Flames' surprising New York road trip success, dissecting how Calgary remains firmly in the playoff hunt. Is Ryan Huska the right coach for the job? The guys debate his performance and the season's unique challenges. Plus, they weigh in on the buzz around potential NHL expansion and preview the Flames' upcoming week – can they keep the momentum going?

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.

For only the third time in Calgary Flames history, the team didn't make a move at the NHL trade deadline. Did Craig Conroy make a mistake not making a move? Did the Flames actually get a far better deal by getting their big trade done early? After seeing the moves that were made do our hosts have any concerns that the other teams fighting for the Western Conference Wildcard spots with the Flames got significantly better? Our hosts break down the trade deadline strategy, analyze the competition's upgrades, and debate what it all means for Calgary's playoff push.

The Calgary Flames are stumbling through a tough road trip, struggling against elite competition. With the NHL Trade Deadline just a week away, the crew dives into a heated debate: […]

The Flames are on the outside looking in as the NHL pauses for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Can they claw their way back into playoff contention? On this episode of Fireside Chat, we dissect the daunting schedule that awaits Calgary after the break and debate whether they have what it takes to beat the league's best and secure a postseason berth. Programming Note: Our show will take a little break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. We'll be back with our next episode on March 2, 2025.

This week on the podcast, we dissect the blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves through the NHL: Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee are now Calgary Flames! We break down the details of the deal and explain why we think Flames GM Craig Conroy pulled off a major coup. Did the Flames get away with highway robbery? We discuss! Then, we debate whether Calgary can afford another mid-season trade and which areas of the roster still need some love. Plus, we recap the highs and lows of the past week's games and preview what's in store for the Flames this week.

The Calgary Flames fought back into the playoff race this week, surpassing expectations with a strong team performance led by the unexpected brilliance of Andrei Kuzmenko. We dive into their climb back into contention. Plus, we name Dustin Wolf as the Flames' starting goaltender. We discuss recent roster moves, including the waiver loss of Walker Duehr and the moves for Clark Bishop and Tyson Barrie, then speculate on whether another recall is imminent with Kevin Bahl sidelined.

This week, the guys share their thoughts on the late Al MacNeil. Then, we dive deep into the Calgary Flames' performance, analyzing their recent struggles, including back-to-back losses against the St. Louis Blues. With the Vancouver Canucks' situation unfolding, we debate the merits of potential trades for star players like Elias Pettersson and JT Miller. Then, we shift gears to discuss necessary roster moves between the Flames and their AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers. Finally, we shine a spotlight on two promising Flames prospects, Zayne Parekh and Luke Misa, who had exceptional weekends in the OHL.

The Calgary Flames have played 41 games and are now halfway through the season. The guys recap the first half of the season and look back at their predictions about it back in October to determine whether the season is turning out as expected.

The Calgary Flames had a rough week against some mediocre teams but still sit one point outside a playoff spot. The guys have to keep reminding each other that this is the first year of a rebuild, and some struggles are expected for the Flames this year. A good part of the conversation revolves around the goalies, whether Dan Vladar has been put into more challenging starts than Dustin Wolf, and the criticism that has come from the C of Red for that. Then, the guys discuss whether some of the young players on the roster are developing as expected.

We're back after our holiday break to discuss how the Calgary Flames did in their games around the holidays. The Calgary Flames have recently made a coaching shuffle, bringing Trent Cull to the NHL and promoting Joe Cirella to the Wranglers Head Coach. Our hosts discuss these coaching moves and if they think it was the right way to shuffle personnel. And the guys discuss their surprises (good and bad) from the 2024 segment of the season.

The Calgary Flames had what could've been one of the most challenging weeks of their schedule so far, and they managed to end the season with 4 of a possible 8 points to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot.  The guys discuss this week's games and how call-ups Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr have looked - if they should stay with the Flames past their waiver exemption periods or not. We discuss the goaltending and answer a fan question before wrapping up with our predictions of the next four games.

This week the guys discuss the emotional game the Calgary Flames played against ther Blue Jackets, and the ceremony for Johnny Gaudreau. They compare the way the Flames played in that game to the game against the Blues and what was different. With Justin Kirkland out for the season, and Andrei Kuzmenko a healthy scratch it has given Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr the chance to draw into the lineup. The guys give their opinions on these players' first two games and their future with the Calgary Flames this season. To end the show, the guys preview the four games this week that will be a struggle and predict how the Flames will do.

The guys break down the Calgary Flames four-game losing streak on the road and if it is an indication of what the team really is this year. With Justin Kirland injured should the Flames recall Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr? If so, who should come out of the lineup? We also look ahead to a challenging December schedule for the team and talk about what a successful December would be. Then we are joined by Jay Forster from the Locked on Blue Jackets podcast to discuss Johnny Gaudreau and his legacy from a Blue Jackets perspective.

The Calgary Flames are now at the halfway point of the season and are sitting in second place in the Pacific Division. Nobody anticipated this going into this season.  Our hosts discuss who has impressed and disappointed so far and if our expectations of the team have changed at this point.

This week we're joined by Kevin Olenick of the Shifts and Pucks podcast as we talk a lot about the Calgary Flames goaltenders. Should Dustin Wolf be in the conversation for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year)? With Dustin Wolf's play so far, should the Flames look at trading Dan Vladar to get a Centreman? And Kevin asks if our hosts think Andrei Kuzmenko could clear waivers.

The Calgary Flames had another good week, getting at least a point in each game, in large part thanks to Matt Coronato. The guys discuss what it'll take for Coronato to keep a spot on the NHL roster, Martin Pospisil's struggles this season, and who might be a better option to play Centre.

The Calgary Flames get back in the win column against the Devils in what might be their best game of the year so far.  Even after a few losses the Flames are still in the playoff hunt a month into the season. Aside from breaking down this week, the guys look ahead to the challenging November schedule and some of the storylines coming out of the first month of the season.

The Calgary Flames lost two games in a row for the first time this season, ending their early-season winning streak. The guys discuss this week's games and if it is the beginning of the Flames starting to regress to what they're expected and what to expect from the lineup with Yegor Sharangovich and Kevin Rooney returning and Matt Coronato having been sent to the AHL.

The Calgary Flames win streak came to an end at 4 games, as they lost their first ever game in Seattle to the Kraken. Our hosts discuss what they expect for the Flames in the next week and look at some news from the Calgary Wranglers. Then we end the show by answering some very good questions from our listeners about who has more potential - Sam Honzek or Matt Coronato, and talking about the Flames and Craig Conroy's plan and how it gets altered if they make the playoffs.

The Calgary Flames are off to a surprising 3-o-0 start to the season. Jonathan Huberdeau scored 4 points in the first four games, and everything is looking great for the Flames right now, even with their lead scorer from last year injured. Our hosts break down the three games this week and talk about how long they think this win streak can continue.

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.

We're halfway through the 2024 pre-season for the Calgary Flames, and this week, Dan and Matt look at who's looked good and who hasn't so far and whether anyone might be able to steal an NHL spot in the final three pre-season games.

We kick off our thirteenth season of the podcast by recapping the 2024 off season for the Calgary Flames. Who's coming? Who's going? The Flames have more NHL calibre bodies than they have roster spots, so our hosts predict who will make the NHL club out of training camp and who is most likely to be the first call-ups in each position.

On the evening of August 30, we joined our friend Kevin Olenick from the Shifts and Pucks podcast to remember Johnny Gaudreau, share our memories, discuss his passing, and discuss ways to memorialize him in Calgary. We encourage our fans to share their memories of Johnny Hockey. Feel free to leave a comment on FiresideChat.ca or any of our social media channels so we can all remember the Gaudreau brothers together.

This week's show was recorded live on June 28, 2024 during the first round of the 2024 Entry Draft.We disucss not only the draft but the Mangiapane and Markstrom trades, Brad Larsen being hired as a coach and more. This show will sound different than you're used to. We are still trying to get our setup all figured out for recording live shows and we learned a lot during this one, which we'll apply next time to make it even better.

Heading into the NHL 2024 Entry Draft, Dan and Matt look ahead to the players that they think the Calgary Flames will take with the #9 and #28 picks. With all the talk about Tij Iginla leading up to the draft, the guys discuss if he's the right pick to make if available and who the Flames should target if he's not. We'll be hosting our first live show at Bow River Brewing on June 28th during the NHL Entry Draft. During this show, we'll have an open mic to get allow fans to chat with us and have their say during the show! Be there with us for all the picks, trades and Flames happenings on draft day.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's been a busy 5 game week for the Flames, but they've finally clinched a spot in the 2004 playoffs! The guys look at possible playoff matchups and who we do or don't want the Flames to take on. We discuss the season Shean Donovan is having and how some of the young guys like Kobasew, Lombardi, Saprykin, Regher and Leopold are looking and other important topics leading up to the final few games of the regular season. APRIL FOOLS! We've wanted to do this episode for a while, and with April Fools' Day landing on a Monday on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 run, it was the perfect time. We hope you enjoyed a trip down memory lane. We'll be back with a regular episode (covering 2024) next week.

It's been a busy 5 game week for the Flames, but they've finally clinched a spot in the 2004 playoffs! The guys look at possible playoff matchups and who we do or don't want the Flames to take on. We discuss the season Shean Donovan is having and how some of the young guys like Kobasew, Lombardi, Saprykin, Regher and Leopold are looking and other important topics leading up to the final few games of the regular season. APRIL FOOLS! We've wanted to do this episode for a while, and with April Fools' Day landing on a Monday on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 run, it was the perfect time. We hope you enjoyed a trip down memory lane. We'll be back with a regular episode (covering 2024) next week.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Trade Deadline has passed, and the Calgary Flames now have a very different-looking defence group. The guys discuss the new additions to the team, the loss of Noah Hanifin and if the deal was good for the Flames and if they're surprised Jacob Markstrom is still a Flame. With the team now sliding further from a playoff spot Dan and Matt also give their opinions about if the Flames can be a playoff team this year.

The Trade Deadline has passed, and the Calgary Flames now have a very different-looking defence group. The guys discuss the new additions to the team, the loss of Noah Hanifin and if the deal was good for the Flames and if they're surprised Jacob Markstrom is still a Flame. With the team now sliding further from a playoff spot Dan and Matt also give their opinions about if the Flames can be a playoff team this year.

We're still riding a high from the Miikka Kiprusoff jersey retirement game and a 2-0 week for the Calgary Flames which of course we discuss in detail. The guys give their thoughts as to who is the best Flames goalie of all time - Kiprusoff or Vernon. Then as they look ahead to NHL Trade Deadline, they discuss the Chris Tanev trade and what to expect in Artyom Grushnikov, Jacob Markstrom's comments that "I think it could have been handled a lot different from up top." and if we expect any other deals besides Noah Hanifin to be done before the deadline.

We're still riding a high from the Miikka Kiprusoff jersey retirement game and a 2-0 week for the Calgary Flames which of course we discuss in detail. The guys give their thoughts as to who is the best Flames goalie of all time - Kiprusoff or Vernon. Then as they look ahead to NHL Trade Deadline, they discuss the Chris Tanev trade and what to expect in Artyom Grushnikov, Jacob Markstrom's comments that "I think it could have been handled a lot different from up top." and if we expect any other deals besides Noah Hanifin to be done before the deadline.

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).

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).

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.

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.