Listen to “Jonathan Huberdeau Transformation – Flames Unfiltered – Episode 223” on Spreaker.
— EPISODE 223 —
Join hosts Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis on this holiday edition of “Flames Unfiltered” as they delve into the latest happenings of the Calgary Flames and the broader hockey world. Amidst the festive spirit, Brad and Kyle share how the irregular holiday schedule affects routine-driven individuals like themselves. They discuss the recent Flames games, focusing on the team’s dynamics and performance against the San Jose Sharks and the challenging face-off with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The conversation spans a range of topics from the implications of player trades and line-up decisions to the heated debate surrounding prospects in the World Juniors. Brad and Kyle engage in a candid exchange about the pressures faced by Canadian players and the evolving competitiveness in international hockey. They delve into the Flames’ goaltending strategy, praising Dan Vladar’s formidable presence in challenging games while examining player performances, including Jonathan Huberdeau’s transition to a powerful net-front style.
Stay tuned for a thrilling journey through hockey with “Flames Unfiltered,” as Brad and Kyle continue to offer insights and captivating discussions. Don’t miss out on future episodes for more engaging hockey talk and expert analysis!
Brad Burud & Kyle Lewis
Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis are passionate hockey analysts and hosts of the podcast “Flames Unfiltered.” Brad brings a wealth of knowledge from his long-standing involvement in hockey media, particularly with the NHL’s Calgary Flames. Kyle complements this with his analytical approach to the game, offering in-depth insights and commentary on team dynamics and league events. Together, they provide an unfiltered perspective on NHL games, player performance, and seasonal prospects.
The Calgary Flames’ evolving goaltender dynamics have emerged as a fascinating narrative this season. As highlighted in “Flames Unfiltered,” there is an ongoing debate about the best route forward in managing the Flames’ talented trio of goalies: Dan Vladar, Dustin Wolf, and newcomer Devin Cooley. As it stands, Flames fans and the hosts of the podcast are contemplating the benefits of either keeping Vladar or testing the market.
Brad Burud succinctly captures the dilemma: “I think this guy’s integral to the development of Wolf too, to take some of the heat off of him.” Kyle Lewis adds that their tandem is “one of the best in the league.” The prospect of changing this dynamic brings uncertainty, especially as potential trades could impact the roster balance.
Flames’ strategy moving forward may lean towards maintaining a stable goalie environment to nurture rookie talent like Wolf. This careful balancing act will be pivotal in sustaining team performance, as inconsistency in goaltending roles could affect overall success.
The Flames have faced longstanding issues with their power play, particularly during 5-on-3 scenarios, a point that drew intense scrutiny on the podcast. Chronicled by the hosts, it was mentioned that the Flames have the league’s worst 5-on-3 power play success rate over the past 15 years. As Kyle Lewis emphatically notes, “You can’t have a minute eight of 5-on-3 and not score.”
This historical inefficacy underscores wider strategic challenges facing the team. Brad Burud suggests, “We haven’t had this super supreme offensive talent,” alluding to the team composition focusing on defense rather than high-octane offense.
Further changes to the Flames’ power play units or coaching strategies might be necessary to rectify this persistent issue. The fan base’s patience in this regard is waning, with on-ice execution needing marked improvement to maintain competitive standings in a tightly contested league.
The broader landscape of junior and developmental hockey is on the brink of transformation, driven by regulatory changes discussed in “Flames Unfiltered.” These changes, particularly the NCAA’s allowance for CHL players, are poised to affect prospects’ career paths significantly.
Brad Burud articulates this shift: “People involved in the WHL, are telling me they’re losing players to the NCAA. The USHL is losing players to the CHL.” This cross-border movement could alter the longstanding developmental structures within North American hockey.
The implications of these changes are profound, affecting talent pools and potentially shifting the balance of power between different hockey leagues. For the Flames, which have historically scouted heavily from junior leagues, adapting to these new dynamics will be essential in nurturing future talent.
This season for the Calgary Flames is one of complexities and transitions, as evidenced by the discussions in “Flames Unfiltered.” Essential narratives such as goaltending decision-making, offensive challenges, and evolving player development landscapes are critical to understanding the team’s current trajectory and potential future.
Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis’s insights underline the necessity for the Flames to adapt both strategically and structurally in the coming months. Finding a balance between immediate competitive needs and long-term developmental strategies will define the franchise’s ability to succeed both in this season and beyond.
These threads of discussion, woven throughout the podcast, reveal a team at the crossroads of potentiality, driven by a need to innovate while grounded in the ever-evolving realities of professional hockey.
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 222|SEASON 6 Calgary’s Christmas Wishes Listen to “Calgary’s Christmas Wishes – Flames Unfiltered – Episode 222” on Spreaker. — EPISODE 222 — In this Christmas-themed episode of […]
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