Inside Edge Hockey Media Group

MISSING: Flames Offense – Flames Unfiltered – Episode 220

Brad Burud/Kyle Lewis December 10, 2024


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FLAMES UNFILTERED

EPISODE 220|SEASON 6

MISSING: Flames Offense

Listen to “MISSING: Flames Offense – Flames Unfiltered – Episode 220” on Spreaker.

— EPISODE 220 —

Episode Summary:

Join hosts Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis in this engaging episode of Flames Unfiltered as they dive into the world of Calgary Flames hockey, dissecting recent games and player performances. Despite the challenges faced by the team, the hosts manage to keep the discussion light-hearted, infusing the podcast with their unique brand of humor and in-depth knowledge. They explore the intricacies of trades, player performances, and potential future strategies for the Flames amidst a dicey season.

In this episode, the hosts take a critical look at the Flames’ current struggles, focusing particularly on the team’s offensive challenges. They discuss the potential of moving certain players like Nazem Kadri to shift the team’s momentum and explore the performances of players like Jonathan Huberdeau and Connor Zary in depth. Brad and Kyle also highlight the recent power play concerns and delve into the specifics of game dynamics, offering their take on Calgary’s chances in the upcoming fixtures. The conversation rounds off with a discussion of broader NHL topics, like a notable trade involving Jacob Trouba and attitudes towards the upcoming World Juniors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Calgary Flames are experiencing notable difficulties with their offense, failing to score over three goals in 25 consecutive games.
  • There’s a strong debate around the possibility of trading Nazem Kadri to clear cap space and set a foundation for future team development.
  • The power play has been a significant area of concern for the Flames, with the team struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
  • Despite struggles, Jonathan Huberdeau has shown marked improvement in his work ethic and on-ice performance recently.
  • The hosts anticipate more team shake-ups could be needed, possibly leading to trades as a means to reignite competitive performance.

Notable Quotes:

  • “We cannot have a rebuild or retool work successfully with Huberdeau and Kadri on the books.” – Brad Burud
  • “The number one challenge for this team is a lack of offense.” – Kyle Lewis
  • “We need to move whatever mountain necessary to get Kadri off the books.” – Brad Burud
  • “Calgary’s next opponent, the Nashville Predators, are absolute trash lately.” – Kyle Lewis
  • “Jonathan Huberdeau’s work ethic has improved significantly, even if the point production isn’t yet there.” – Brad Burud

While the current episode emphasizes the Calgary Flames’ challenges and potential remedies, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full discussion to gain an enriched perspective on the team’s journey and to stay informed on the latest developments surrounding the Flames and their upcoming fixtures. Keep listening to Flames Unfiltered for more insightful hockey commentary and analysis.

About the Guest(s):

Brad Burud\ Brad Burud is a seasoned podcast host and hockey enthusiast, known for his insightful analysis and commentary on the Calgary Flames, co-hosting the Flames Unfiltered podcast. With years of experience in the hockey media landscape, Brad brings a wealth of knowledge about the game, enhancing the listener’s understanding of the Flames and the broader NHL.

Kyle Lewis\ Kyle Lewis is a dedicated hockey analyst and host of the Flames Unfiltered podcast. He is recognized for his detailed scrutiny of game strategies and player performances. Kyle’s expertise not only enriches the discussions around the Calgary Flames but also provides valuable perspectives on league-wide hockey developments.

Key Takeaways

  • The Calgary Flames are grappling with significant on-ice struggles, emphasizing the need for strategic player management and potential trades to improve performance.
  • Discussion around the NHL highlights broader concerns, such as player contracts and the complexities of trade negotiations, illustrated by the recent Jacob Trouba situation with the New York Rangers.
  • While the World Juniors and Four Nations Cup present opportunities for talent assessment, they also raise questions about player inclusion and international politics in sports.

The Calgary Flames’ Struggle for Consistency

In the realm of professional hockey, few teams epitomize the adage “consistency is key” as much as the Calgary Flames. As described by Brad Burud and Kyle Lewis in a recent episode of Flames Unfiltered, the Flames are mired in an offensive drought that has seen them unable to score more than three goals in 25 consecutive games. The fans and analysts alike are left questioning, “When will they ignite some offensive spark?”

The Flames’ offensive woes are compounded by a troubling defense, best evidenced in their recent loss to the Dallas Stars, where defensive lapses led to a lopsided 6-2 defeat. Such performances underscore the need for introspective team assessments and highlight the potential necessity of trades to shake up the status quo.

The struggle is not only in maintaining effective gameplay but also in aligning player performance with financial commitments, as seen in the much-debated contract of Jonathan Huberdeau. His efforts are commended, but without significant point production, the value of this contract is under scrutiny.

Player trades and contracts have long been complicated terrains in the NHL, but recent events underscore just how challenging these waters can be. The discussion on Flames Unfiltered brought to light the complexities surrounding player contracts and the ethicality of NHL trade practices, using the recent Jacob Trouba trade from the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks as a case study.

Trouba’s situation demonstrated that NHL teams might leverage waivers to circumvent no-trade clauses, bringing attention to potential loopholes in contract negotiations. It stirred up a conversation about the responsibilities of agents in securing no-move versus no-trade clauses and questioned the enforcement consistency of such agreements.

The Flames’ own situation with Nazem Kadri illustrates how crucial strategic player management is. Burud emphasizes the importance of attempting to trade Kadri to alleviate financial burdens, even at the potential cost of weakening the roster in the short term. It’s these complex decisions that significantly impact a team’s trajectory and can define the season’s outcome.

Quote: “You have to do everything in your power in the next three months…to move Nazem Kadri.” – Brad Burud

Evaluating International Tournaments and Player Development

The Four Nations Cup and the World Juniors are significant events in the international hockey calendar, presenting opportunities for talent development and assessment. However, as discussed on the podcast, these tournaments are also mired in political complexities and questions about player inclusion, particularly with the absence of Russia due to geopolitical tensions.

Quote: “The NHL has so many rules that make it difficult to understand…especially when you’re not from a hockey-playing country.” – Brad Burud

For Flames fans, the focus is on how such tournaments can influence player development. Rasmus Andersson is the only Flame named to participate in the Four Nations Cup, sparking discussions on the adequacy of his selection and the potential development lost with other Flames not included. Similarly, the World Juniors raised concerns over invitations and exclusions—most notably, the omission of promising talents like Tij Iginla due to injury.

Quote: “I think it would have preferred a few more guys go this season where we’re not really playing for much.” – Kyle Lewis

Such selections or omissions may affect player morale and development trajectories, again emphasizing the high-impact nature of team management decisions.

As the Flames and their fan base navigate these turbulent times, the pressing need for strategic planning and decisive action is more apparent than ever. The pursuit for a consistent offensive strategy, proactive trade negotiations, and discerning player development through international exposure remains central to the Flames’ ambition of reclaiming their standing in the NHL. The journey remains fraught with challenges, yet hope persists in the unyielding support of the Flames community and the untapped potential waiting in the wings.

 

 

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Brad Burud/Kyle Lewis

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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