Fireside Chat Season 4

[FiresideChat]

As the Flames hit the ice for another year, it means we're back for another year of covering the team.

We'll post new episodes for this season in this thread. You can follow this thread to get the newest podcast every week (usually a little delayed from the main feed) but the fastest way to make sure you get the show when it's posted is to subscribe via iTunes or favourite podcast application.

[FiresideChat]

Episode 90: Training Camp Excitement
The Flames are back on the ice and training camp is in full swing, and we’re back to bring you all the news as things kick off. We’ll discuss the off-season contracts signed including Mark Giordano and Michael Ferland. We cover the rookie tournament and who thought were studs, and duds. As well, we look ahead to the main camp and preview who might win a job, who might lose a job, and more.

Get ready for the hockey season getting started again and get up-to-date with all the Flames news.

Listen to the episode >

[Caged Great]

I also have a new article up.

The Training Camp Conundrum

[Caged Great]

With the season starting, I'm giving a little preview of the new website. It won't be live quite yet, but it is extremely close. We are hoping that by the time the next week's episode is uploaded that it will be live and loaded on the servers.



Our next episode was recorded on Monday, and will be out soon.

[FiresideChat]

Episode 91: Giving Thanks For A New Season

As the 2015-2016 NHL season kicks off we discuss the last of training camp – who impressed and who didn’t. We discuss if Brett Kulak stay with the Flames or only fill in as an injury replacement and what Freddie Hamilton’s role in the organization. The Flames have a few major injuries and we look at the injuries and how they each affect the Flames as they head into the season.

Can Joe Colborne become a 40-50 point scorer in his career, or is he destined to be a bottom six player? We debate this as well as look ahead to what can be expected for the season, where we think the Flames will finish, and more as we get ready for the season opener against the Canucks.

Listen To Episode 91 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 92: One Week In
On this episode Dan and Matt break down the first 2 games of the season against the Canucks and the pros and cons of both games – including the surprising play of Mason Raymond. We also discuss our first thoughts on the 3 on 3 as seen in the second game of the season, and what we think of the future of the 3 on 3 format and how it’ll be coached going forward.

With Buffalo losing Nathan Lieuwen to a long-term injury, have the Flames found their trading partner to move a goalie? And what would the Flames be able to get back for one of their netminders? The guys debate what they think a fair price would be.

We look ahead to the next 80 games of the regular season, and what we can expect from the Flames this year.

The new website mentioned in this episode should go live this weekend. We’re putting the final touches on it.

Listen to Episode 92 >

[Caged Great]

The new website is finally up.

Here's the new home layout

Please leave us some feedback, as it will help us to make it more optimized for your usage.

[FiresideChat]

EPISODE 93: STARTING OUT IN A FUNK

With the Flames starting the season with a 1-4 record there are concerns within the C of Red about what will happen to the Flames this season. With injuries mounting and a tough week ahead of us, we look at Ladislav Smid coming off the IR soon, who will be displaced on the blueline and how will the roles change? Does Deryk Engelland lose his NHL job in the process? Has Mason Raymond run out of chances at the NHL level?

As the Flames continue to struggle, we debate when Joni Ortio will get his first start of the year and more as we look ahead to the next 4 games of Flames hockey, and recap the previous two.

Listen to Episode 93>

[FiresideChat]

Episode 94: Blow It Up? Or Stay The Course?

A debate around if the Flames should “blow it up” and make wholesale changes to the team, or if their performance is expected for where they are in the rebuild and they should stay the course is the main topic of discussion for this week as we reflect back on the expectations from this time last year.

Breaking down the last week of games, we’re starting to see some some good play from the team, even with the continued poor results. We take on some of the criticisms of the team and players and if they’re deserved or not and other issues surrounding the team including Karri Ramo being waived and sent to the AHL and if that was the right choice.

There are lots of trade rumors with the Flames right now and we dive into why Steven Stamkos coming to Calgary isn’t viable. Dennis Wideman and Kris Russel leaving has been rumoured as well and we talk about which of the two defencemen we’d rather see leave and if we should move them now or wait until the Trade Deadline.

Listen To Episode 94 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 95: Putting October Behind Us
As October has come to a close, the Flames hope to put this month behind them and look forward to a better month on November. We talk about the positives we’ve seen in the Flames games recently, and how they may be able to work themselves out of their funk.

After a disappointing start, some fans are calling for Bob Hartley to be replaced and we discuss if this is a good idea or not. There is a big focus on goaltending this week as we cover Hiller’s injury, Ramo’s recall and how all 3 goalies have performed over the first 12 games – and if the Flames should give Jon Gillies a start.

Listen to Episode 95 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 96: Two Wins In A Row
The Flames have two wins in a row for the first time this season and the team looks to be turning things around. We’ll recap the last 3 games and how the team looked in each – and analyze what players have been stepping up to make the team successful. With Derek Grant showing well in the NHL, what does it mean for Stockton players and the depth chart? As well, our exciting predictions for the coming week. All this and more Flames news after an exciting week for the team!

Listen to Episode 96 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 98: The Quarter Post
As we hit the quarter post of the season we see a weird week for the Flames that included David Jones being tied for the goal lead of the Flames, and Mason Raymond being promoted to the first line and new Heat goalie Kevin Poulin getting injured. We analyze the Flames performance after 21 games and if there is still a chance at the post season. We also address the Travis Harmonic rumour, the new NHL bye week and more on this week’s show.

Listen to Episode 98 >

[FiresideChat]

Episoide 99: A View From The Bottom
The Flames are tied with the Oilers for last place in the league after a losing road trip. How will the team rebound, and what has lead them to this point, and how will this change the Flames internal strategy for the season? There are also a few interesting roster moves to talk about, including Markus Granlund and how long he’ll stay in Calgary, Joni Ortio’s AHL demotion and how it could be just what he needs right now, and Ladislav Smid’s short stint in the AHL.

Listen to Episode 99 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 100: A Fleury Of Excitement

Two tough teams and two wins in a row for the Flames has caused a lot of excitement in the C of Red. How long can this win streak last and what do the Flames need to do to be successful? We’ll analyze these questions and more including the return to practice for of Lance Bouma.

Plus, this week our Old Flames series returns as we feature a conversation with Flames legend Theo Fleury! We talk about hockey, his career since hanging up the skates his new country music album I Am Who I Am and his upcoming concert in Calgary. You can’t miss this interview!

Listen to Episode 100 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 101: Five In A Row!

After three more big wins for the Flames to end off the home stand, the Flames are looking good as they head out on the road. We’ll break down the last week of games and look ahead to how we expect the team to do on the road.

With Lance Bouma expected to return on the road trip the Flames will have to make a roster move to free space. We’ll debate who the right player to get reassigned to Stockton is and why. On the blueline, Ladislav Smid’s play recently could make Kris Russell easier to trade this season. Plus, is Karri Ramo the right goalie for the Flames this year, or should they look to acquire a different goalie? And what would the cost be?

Listen to Episode 101 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 102: Holiday Hockey Talk
Happy Holidays! In our last episode of 2015 we look back at the Flames pre-Christmas break week of games and their continued success at home, and their struggles on the road. After Johnny Gaudreau’s hat-trick against the Jets (and 100th NHL point), we look at his career as a Flame so far and where he sits in team record books. Ferland and Jooris are back in the lineup, so we look at their play and long-term futures as Flames and we cover other Flames news of the week and look ahead to 2016.

Listen to Episode 102 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 103: A Rollercoaster Year Is Behind Us
We kick off the new year by looking back at 2015 and the roller coaster year that the Flames had in the first half of the season. With the record breaking home win streak coming to an end, we chat about the Flames performance after Christmas, how tight the Pacific Division is this year, and how close we are to the playoffs, and yet still so close to the Draft Lottery. We look back at some of our predictions for this season to see what's come true so far, and look ahead to what the Flames need to do for 2016 to continue their success.

Listen to Episode 103 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 104: First Liner Ferland?
The Flames are now at .500 since the start of 2016. This week we’ll recap the games against the Lightning, Coyotes and Sharks while discussing if Micheal Ferland’s promotion to the top line will be a short or long term lineup change, and if Sean Monahan is really in a slump this season. With the Flames second last in the Western Conference standings we also look ahead to the NHL Entry Draft and why the top 20 players look good for the Flames. Our thoughts on Robyn Regehr’s retirement and more.

Listen to Episode 104 >

[FiresideChat]

Episode 105: Bennett Shines Bright
Sam Bennett’s great week wasn’t enough to earn him the week’s first star award, but did a lot to help the Flames. Jonas Hiller also gives the Flames a boost this week in his return to the net after a long absence. We’ll recap the games this week and how both guys helped the Flames, and a mid-season recap of the team so far including who’s been hot and who’s not. A mid-season look at the roster and the players in the AHL reveal where the Flames have strengths and weaknesses, and how the roster might look very different next season.

Plus, a mid-season look at the entire NHL and our thoughts on the standings, which teams might be in the playoffs and which teams might be in the Draft Lottery.

Listen to Episode 105 >

[Caged Great]

Now that the first half is over, now what?