Quote:
Originally Posted by ricardodw
Will the Flames be the best team for him to break in with?
Baertschi basically lost a year because he was in the Flames organization and there were small players already on the roster that were locked into NHL contracts Hudler, Cammalleri, Cervenka,Tanguay (I know he is average sized but plays really small) along with Brodie, Butler and Smith as small d-men.
This year the Flames have made room for Baertschi by getting rid of Tanguay and Cervenka. Next year .... when it is Gaudreau's time to sign there still will be Baertschi and Hudler.
There is no NHL team that has 3 guys in their top 6 that are 5-9/ 5-10 160-180
Cammalleri wants out... of course he does..... and gets it at the the end of this season at the latest. He understands that he has virtually no chance for personal or team success with him, Hudler and Baertschi in the top 6.
Even the tiny Oilers that are dramatically under performing due to lack of size/grit are not as small as the Flames tiny 3.
This time next year Gaudreau will have a choice to either to try out for Cammalleri's spot and likely getting the Baertschi treatment with 4th line time and AHL OR he can play for one more season at BU and pick the best team that gets him in the NHL.
The Flames made a choice and they got Hudler signed long term and now have no room for another small player.
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Good thing Baertschi is already well over 180 and apparently working hard on the offseason to get even stronger. Phew, glad we dodged that bullet and can follow the strict rules regarding small players!