Quote:
Originally Posted by sworkhard
If you'd take a little time and pay attention to the 50 or 60 times it's been explained already, you'd already know this, but here goes.
1. Baertchi is on an emergency recall (our 3rd one at this point in fact). As soon as one more forward is healthy he must be returned due to the CBA and the CHL transfer agreement. However, if for some reason the Flames forwards keep getting injured and we never end up getting at least 1 net healthy forward back, then he could stay until the point in time that 1 net healthy forward does come back. If that's the case until the end of the season, he could stay. However, for him to play more than 9 games regardless of the injury situation, the Flames would have get rid of a contract and burn the 1st year of his ELC.
2. We are not wasting his career by letting him play in Portland in any way. Here's why.
a. Since he's only 19, he's going to continue to get better. Even if he wins the Calder next year, he isn't likely to really come into his own until his 3rd NHL season and nobody should expect him to be a top end player in terms of points before his 4th. This is a recurring pattern for players that start in the NHL right out of Junior, regardless of their skill level.
b. As such, by not burning a year of his NHL deal, you can potentially have him on the team as a bargain in his final years. Having less money tied up in Sven at that point in time means we can spend on better depth and defence resulting in better results as a team.
Regarding Backlund, etc.
For the same reason as 2a, dumping Backlund now is the absolute worst time to do it. Next year will be his 3rd NHL season and should be the one where we can finally see what he's made of. He might not break out in his 3rd season to the same extent some players do, but it's reasonable to expect to see a solid progression next year(becoming a 35-40 point player instead of a 25 point one). If there isn't one, it's time for him to find a niche as shut down two-way bottom 6, face off winning Center or he won't stick around for long. However, you have to keep him around and give him chance to prove he belongs.
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Thanks, when I first got in on this thread near page 60, there was certainly not a clear consensus on if we were able to keep him, or how to. 1 of the suggestions there was we would have to waive some one worthy of being taken - hence me proposing backlund (not new information that im not a fan, but a young player like him would be claimed).
I would still believe that (even if we could) burn a year now on his ELC, it would only be worth 1 year less (not years as you've mentioned) wherein he would get paid more. I appreciate your opinion on how by pattern it takes players 3-4 years to hit full stride, but I would suggest from what we've seen, sven isnt a normal player.
There will be plenty of money around to pay Sven with, when Iggy and Kipper are gone. My entire argument is (like it or not, even today sitting as a 10th seed) This may be the best team we will field in the next decade. It's too bad, we cant keep our phenom around to be a part of our march to the post-season.