Inside Edge Hockey Media Group
— EPISODE 234 —
In this episode of Flames Unfiltered, hosts Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis delve into the Calgary Flames’ ongoing season, dissecting the team’s performance and strategies with their usual depth and vigor. As they pore over recent games and player dynamics, the podcast is a treasure trove for Flames fans seeking insights into player performances, game strategies, and upcoming fixtures. The conversational tone, coupled with the hosts’ expertise, offers an engaging listening experience filled with meaningful and critical hockey discourse.
Brad and Kyle explore the Flames’ current standing in the NHL standings, highlighting the critical elements influencing their position. They discuss Dustin Wolf’s outstanding goaltending, the team’s struggles in crucial games, and potential trade opportunities missed during the deadline. The hosts also provide a preview of the Flames’ upcoming Eastern road trip and debate the potential impact of player dynamics and coaching decisions on the team’s playoff aspirations. Through detailed analysis, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of the Flames’ season trajectory, capturing the essence of a team in the throes of challenge and change.
The Flames are experiencing a challenging season, marked by a series of missed opportunities and inconsistencies, largely mitigated by the standout goaltending performances of Dustin Wolf.
There is growing discontent among fans and analysts over coaching decisions, particularly related to player utilization and on-ice strategies.
The team’s offensive struggles are partly attributed to structural issues and the need for better integration of younger talent to drive future success.
Despite hurdles, there is still optimism around the Flames sneaking into the playoffs, given their proximity in the standings and the potential for players to hit form.
The episode also discusses potential league changes like an 84-game season and a shortened preseason, alongside a call to abolish the All-Star Game for being unappealing and lacking significance.
“We’ve had a couple kind of good stories, but not, but yeah, I mean, it’s been 98% goaltending.” – Brad Burud
“It’s time. Like, what’s the worst that can happen, right?” – Brad Burud
“If they understood how bad this team is and how they would better understand how good Dustin Wolf is and the Calder Trophy would already be awarded to him.” – Kyle Lewis
“You’re seeing excuses, and those two guys we brought in from Philadelphia are very skilled hockey players.” – Kyle Lewis
“Why is Poirier not been given a look yet?” – Kyle Lewis
In this compelling episode, Brad and Kyle supply Flames fans with critical insights and passionate discussion, urging listeners to tune in for essential weekly Flames analysis. Don’t miss out on further exciting and informative episodes from the Flames Unfiltered series—subscribe today!
Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis are the hosts of Flames Unfiltered, a podcast dedicated to in-depth discussion and analysis of the Calgary Flames, a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Brad and Kyle’s expertise spans across NHL analytics, insider insights, and engaging commentary, making them reliable sources for Flames fans seeking genuine and unfiltered hockey talk. Kyle also actively participates in charity events like Hockey Heroes, representing the passion and community spirit of the Flames’ fan base.
The Calgary Flames’ 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster of expectations and frustrations, as vividly discussed by Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis in the recent episode of Flames Unfiltered. A phrase that resonates starkly from their conversation is the “murky middle,” encapsulating the team’s current plight. Neither ascending to the top of the standings nor bottoming out, the Flames are stuck in a nebulous region where progress remains elusive.
Brad Burud aptly observes, “It’s just been a season where… we were a point back or a point ahead. I thought we were going to be maybe like, six or eight points back.” This perception underscores the disillusionment among fans who anticipated firmer standing. The persistence of this situation raises questions about what is needed to break free from this cycle.
Equally, Kyle Lewis highlights the unrealistic expectations, suggesting the need for a reality check: “It’s just every game, it’s like, you’re still right there. You won’t gain any ground ever, but you’re still right there.” The commentary illustrates the importance of recalibrating expectations and strategizing more effectively. With 17 games left, finding a way to close the gap and make it to the playoffs remains paramount.
Throughout this turbulent season, one consistent element shines through: Calgary’s reliance on its goalies, especially Dustin Wolf. Both Burud and Lewis emphasize how Wolf has been a cornerstone for keeping the Flames’ playoff hopes alive. “I think we need to be ecstatic because I think we found one that’s going to stick and be a solid goaltender for years to come,” Brad asserts, capturing the sentiment of many fans who have seen promising talent in Wolf’s performances.
This season has spotlighted Wolf as a linchpin in Calgary’s defensive strategy. His ability to rescue games has often been the difference-maker, as Kyle notes, “Wolf is single-handedly carrying this team to possibly a playoff spot.” However, this reliance also unveils a critical vulnerability: an overdependence on goaltending highlights issues in offensive and defensive consistency.
In a broader context, while goaltending heroics excite fans, reliance on a single player could undermine long-term team resilience if not balanced with robust offensive play. Therefore, future strategies must encompass broader team development beyond exceptional netminding.
The Flames’ front office and coaching staff face growing scrutiny as results stagnate, and fans’ patience wears thin. The podcast voices echoed frustrations over repetitive roster moves and questioned strategic decisions. The call for fresh talent, as Kyle Lewis argues, is more prevalent amid an evident cycle of plugging gaps with “the safe player” gambit.
Frustration over consistent call-ups of players like Dryden Hunt underscored a deeper issue. As stated by Lewis, “this is not working. Recalling Dryden Hunt six times a season does not work.” This perspective amplifies the demand for Calgary to tap into untapped potential within their system, giving more prospects a chance to shine and learn.
Moreover, recent games highlight questionable line management and personnel decisions that may not be optimizing player potential. The choice of sitting players like Braden Pachal, who many fans and analysts see as integral to the defense, was perplexing. As Brad candidly remarks, “Pachal should be in the lineup. Our defense can’t afford to sit a player like that.” This underlines a need for a strategic overhaul that better leverages existing talent.
The Flames find themselves in a precarious position, needing both tactical innovation and a recalibration of expectations to pivot towards a successful campaign. For Calgary, the path forward involves embracing change, fostering its burgeoning talent pool, and realigning its strategies to capitalize on remaining opportunities. As they look to shake off the “murky middle,” decisive action may very well shape their destiny this season.
Ultimately, the Flames’ narrative illustrates a team at a crossroads, with time dwindling to make pivotal changes that could transform their season. Emboldened by talent such as Dustin Wolf, yet hamstrung by systemic inertia, the Flames’ quest for resurgence hinges on strategic clarity and adaptability, both on and off the ice.
Flames Unfiltered features two passionate and opinionated hosts. Brad Burud has been with the show since the beginning and was the creator of the show. A Flames fan since 1986 he brings the old school approach to the show. As a Theoren Fleury and Mikka Kiprusoff fan he longs for the playoff runs he watched decades ago. Kyle Lewis joined the show for the start of season four. A Flames fan since the 90’s, Kyle is a huge collector of Calgary game-worn jerseys. Jarome Iginla was the hero for the Flames when Kyle started this journey and Iginla will always be a favorite. Kyle hopes this year’s version of the Flames can bring him the happiness he felt when Gelinas scored the overtime game winner over Detroit. Thanks for joining us. Sit back and enjoy some Flames hockey talk.
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