Fireside Chat

This week's discussion focuses mainly on the Calgary Flames' defence after the Nikita Zadorov trade. Dan explains why he thinks the deal is a better one than many fans think it is. The guys also discuss the rumours and news around Noah Hanifin rejecting a contract offer from the Flames, Chris Tanev's trade value Oliver Kylington being back on the ice and where he slots into the lineup when (if) he returns.

The Calgary Flames are now at the one-quarter mark of the season, and we discuss where the team is and if there is any feasible way the Flames don't move their pending Unrestricted Free Agents with where the team is now, and the best we think the Flames can do in the standing this season.

One of the challenges for the team so far has been the Power play. The guys break down if the issue has been the coach (Marc Savard), the system, the players - or perhaps a combination of them all.

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.

Learn more about our meetup at Bow River Brewing at https://firesidechat.ca/meetup2023

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.

In the first of our two-part crossover episode with the Shifts and Pucks podcast, we are joined by Kevin Olenick to discuss the end of the Calgary Flames losing streak and Andrew Mangiapane’s suspension, Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil’s NHL debuts, Matt Coronato being sent to the AHL Wranglers and much more.

With the Calgary Flames now 2-7 to start the season, the hosts 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.

The Calgary Flames aren’t off to the start many fans hoped they would be, and there is some concern about Jonathan Huberdeau’s production. The guys discuss if fans should be worried yet and what we can learn from the Flames’ early road losses.

The Rasmus Andersson/Patrick Laine hit is also discussed and the guys give their takes on if four games is a warranted discussion.

To end the show, we discuss the Heritage Classic and why we feel this one doesn’t feel as special as previous iterations.

Due to some technical issues, the audio file for some people wasn't working earlier this week. This has now been corrected.

The Calgary Flames end the first week of the season 1-1. Dan and Matt recap the two games this week, including how Jakob Markstrom has done in the net so far and what the Flames should like and dislike about how the team is playing before looking ahead to next week's games. This week's main discussion is around two big questions - do the Flames go into this season as underdogs coming off last year's disappointing season. If so, how does that help or hurt them?

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.

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.