I am not against throwing Sven into the 3rd line to start - but only if he has a decent center and that line is counted on as a scoring line, not an 'energy-grit' line.
Tanguay - Cammy - Iginla - scoring line
Glencross - Jokinen - X - defence/scoring line (plays against top lines)
Sven - Backlund - X - Scoring line with lower quality of opposition
Bouma - Jones - Jackman
Something like that makes sense. However, if Sven is going to play with guys like Jackman, Bouma, Jones, etc., I would rather he be sent down to the minors and develop some chemistry down there.
I want him to get 10 games in the NHL, however, even in a 4th line capacity. Just to get him used to the game speed and things he has to work on.
I would bet, however, that regardless of who the coach is next season, Baertschi has a spot to lose on the Flames, and I am sure he will make the team out of training camp.
****************** Fantastical Illusions of Grandeur Warning********************
I would actually love to see a 3rd line of Baertschi - Reinhart - Ferland. A great scorer/set-up man, great set-up man/defensively responsible forward/clutch player, and a very strong corner/net-front presence with good hands. It sounds like the makings of one heck of a line (IF - BIG IF) they all develop and crack the roster. Would be nice to have them all play together for the next while even on the Heat and allow them to get some chemistry. Just day-dreaming with the possibilities and reality probably tells me it Ferland and Reinhart probably have a ceiling of 3rd liners.
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