Quote:
Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen
If every player who had a disappointing rookie season with the Flames went on to be Art Ross winners, nearly ever first round pick the Flames have had in the last decade except Phaneuf should have the trophy.
St. Louis and Baertschi aren't really comparable. Baertschi had a disappointing start, I suppose, but nearly everyone should still have high hopes for him as a highly touted first round pick and he just needs some more time to develop. St. Louis faltered in his attempt with the Flames and he was already a huge question mark that no other team even bothered with, both before and after he went undrafted. Of course we know how he turned out but really went through a completely different path than Baertschi is taking.
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St. Louis didn't live up to his potential on the Flames because Sutter used him as a 4th line checker. He even stated later that he was grateful for his experience with the Flames, as it greatly improved his defensive ability.
As a STH in those years, I watched him closely and believed him to be an outstanding potential, and was extremely disappointed when he was not signed. In fact, towards the end of the season, I phoned Bremner and told him whatever he did he should not get rid of Martin St. Louis. He sent me a clock, and I call it my Martin St. Louis clock.
I recall during the summer, after losing him, telling my brother-in-law, who spends the winters in the Tampa Bay area, to keep and eye out for Martin St. Louis, and he said, "Martin who?" Needless to say, the rest is history.
I don't think St. Louis really started to shine, until someone took a chance on him, and started playing him on the top line.