Listen to “Flames Unfiltered – Episode 205 – Draft and Free Agency Madness in Calgary” on Spreaker.
— EPISODE 205 —
Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis dive deep into a bustling week for the Calgary Flames. They tackle the NHL’s compressed season schedule, dissect the Flames’ draft picks and free agency moves, including deals involving Andrew Mangiapane and new signings Anthony Mantha and Jake Bean. The duo also explores emotional elements like the Tin Iginla trade and thoughtful franchise decisions. Plus, thoughts on Paul Maurice’s heartfelt Stanley Cup comments and Shillington’s potential departure. A must-listen for Flames fans wanting a comprehensive update on their team’s latest activities.
Brad Burud – Brad Burud is a seasoned hockey analyst and co-host of Flames Unfiltered. Known for his in-depth knowledge of the Calgary Flames, Burud brings a wealth of experience and a passionate perspective to the podcast. He is also affiliated with Inside Edge Hockey Media Group.
Kyle Lewis – Kyle Lewis is a co-host of Flames Unfiltered, contributing his expert insights on hockey, especially concerning the Calgary Flames. Lewis is known for his engaging commentary and thorough analysis, enhancing the listener’s understanding of the sport.
In this episode of Flames Unfiltered, hosts Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis dive into a bustling week for Calgary Flames fans, covering a range of thrilling activities from the NHL Awards, the NHL Draft, free agency, and trades. The episode opens with lively banter about the importance of Canada Day and quickly transitions into a critique of the NHL’s scheduling, shedding light on how tightly packed the current hockey events are.
Throughout the discussion, Burud and Lewis share their thoughts on the NHL’s current logistical structure and its potential conflicts with other major sports. They then transition to dissecting the Calgary Flames’ recent moves in the draft and free agency. Key highlights include discussions on the new team jerseys by Fanatics, the impressive yet contentious moves by the Flames during the NHL Draft, and the strategic acquisitions and departures during free agency.
Embrace the detailed insights shared by Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis in this episode of Flames Unfiltered. Dive deeper into the recent moves by Calgary Flames and understand the strategic decisions shaping the team’s future. Stay tuned for more episodes filled with expert analysis and engaging hockey talk!
In an episode filled with fervor and insights, Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis dissected a whirlwind of activities that recently transpired for the Calgary Flames. Topics ranged from player trades, draft-day strategies, and free agency moves to the complexities behind managing player relationships. Let’s delve into the nuances of their conversation, using their passionate exchange to illuminate three dominant themes from the transcript.
The Calgary Flames’ management has been under the microscope for their decisions surrounding player well-being and organizational objectives. One of the standout topics in the discussion was the handling of Oliver Kyillington’s situation. Brad Burud expressed frustration mixed with understanding:
“The part that’s got me a little bent on this is that we stepped back, gave him all the time he needed,” Brad noted, highlighting the Flames’ support for Kyillington. However, he questioned, “Are you doing a do right by us? No, I don’t think so.”
Kyle Lewis complemented this point by explaining the delicate balance between business imperatives and personal compassion:
“I don’t think Kyillington had a leg to stand on in terms of salary demands… If you felt like he could get paid somewhere else, more power to him.”
This segment of the transcript sheds light on how the Flames’ management walks a tightrope—a balance between humanitarian consideration and the stark realities of sports business. Kyillington’s case exemplifies the broader implications of player management where timing, trust, and tactical decisions converge. The broader question remains: how do teams navigate the complexities of player health and business interests without sacrificing either?
Brad and Kyle’s conversation offered a deep dive into the Flames’ draft-day decisions, reflecting both optimism and cautious analysis. They applauded the Flames’ ability to nab highly-rated prospects even when their positions fell beyond expectations.
Talking about defensemen Zane Parikh, Brad said:
“I think he’s going to work out just fine… You can find stable, strong defending defensemen easier than you can find offensive, superstar creating defensemen.”
Kyle reinforced this view by emphasizing the importance of offensive defensemen despite their growing pains:
“Defense is largely the last skill that offensive-minded defensemen learn as they come up through the ranks.”
The discussion transitioned to the Flames’ other picks, each celebrated for their individual potential. Here, they touched upon multiple prospects from Jacob Battaglia to Andrew Basha, demonstrating how the draft, despite its unpredictable nature, remains a cornerstone for a team’s future. Their analysis uncovers a broader implication: the Flames, by focusing on high-ceiling players and skill development, are setting the stage for long-term success. The inherent message? Building a championship team requires foresight, patience, and strategic gambles.
Arguably, the most anticipated segment for fans and analysts was the Flames’ free-agency strategy. The conversation between Brad and Kyle unfurled around key signings such as Anthony Mantha, Jake Bean, and the surprising return of Ryan Lomberg. Brad expressed enthusiasm about Mantha:
“I like it… He’s going to score probably 20, maybe even 30, and be a piece of the deadline we can flip for a really nice return.”
On Jake Bean, Kyle shed light on his potential despite a non-qualifying offer from Columbus:
“He’s a good skater, makes good first pass… He’s got a lot to prove.”
The signing of Ryan Lomberg elicited mixed yet positive reactions. Brad showcased his excitement but raised a valid concern:
“I’m excited to watch him… But that he was the only thing… Hmm. That’s a slight deviation from the plan.”
The Flames’ off-season moves crystallize their broader strategy of blending experienced grit with youthful energy. The signings and extensions underscore a commitment to balance and depth, vital for navigating the long NHL season. Kyle noted:
“Conroy’s moves were indicative of that, that, you know, way of thinking. So the Mantha signing is great… The Yegor Sharangovich extension? Yeah, it’s an important deal.”
In reconfiguring the team, management has shown adaptability—signing cost-effective contracts while creating room for potential trade deadlines. The overarching theme here revolves around creating flexibility while strengthening core competencies.
The Calgary Flames, through their intricate web of player management, draft day choices, and free agency tactics, underscore a clear message: they are building for sustainable success. Through the lens of Brad and Kyle’s dynamic exchange, we see the Flames not just as a team navigating a season, but as an organization architecting its future with both shrewd and compassionate decision-making.
As the Flames step into the upcoming season, the discussions from Brad and Kyle reveal the pulse of a team ready to transmute potential into performance, projecting a path sprinkled with strategic precision and hopeful foresight.
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.
FLAMES UNFILTERED EPISODE 204|SEASON 5 Discussing Markstrom Trade and Team’s Future Strategy Listen to “Flames Unfiltered – Episode 204 – Discussing Markstrom Trade and Team’s Future Strategy ” on Spreaker. — […]
