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Originally Posted by Henry Fool
I think in this instance the people who are upset about negative comments are the ones overreacting. What I've read doesn't really merit the amount of eye-rolling I'm seeing in the responses.
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It's not about being positive or negative here. My issue is with posters who seem to think they know the future based on a good or poor performance in a mini-tournament, or who think that it is a good idea to call out a kid who isn't playing like this or that fan believes he ought to be. That is all.
It sounds to me from all counts that Baertschi played poorly. Fair enough. As someone who doesn't have the opportunity to see this tournament this is useful and appreciated information, and I have no problem with discussions about what is wrong with his performance, or in what ways he has disappointed. But what I really don't have a lot of time for is the guesses about his attitude, or guarantees about his projected career potential based on "ifs" and "thens", or what the coaching staff should or should not be doing to ensure that he never, ever has a bad game. It seems like some people don't get (or for some reason can't accept) that these kids are not going to perform to the same level in every situation. This is not because of flaws in their development or their character. It is because they are human, and they are still kids.
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Originally Posted by New Era
Who said any of that? Saying that certain players have been disappointing based on their advanced billing is now saying they will be lucky if they play in the ECHL? Are we automatically going to be building in excuses in for guys that are supposed to be star players, and accept underperformance?
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Why not? With what Baertschi has already proved, does he not deserve some benefit of doubt concerning his future based on a couple of lack-lustre performances in a meaningless, short tournament? Some perspective here is all that I ask.
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Originally Posted by New Era
I appreciate the defense of the guys that are supposed to be our best young players, but if they are our best young players shouldn't they perform like it, especially in a tournament for the best young players in each organization?
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Historically, this would seem not to be the case, actually. It would be great if they did, but it is okay as fans to accept that young, developing star players are not always going to put forth their best effort, for whatever reasons, without histrionic predictions about what it means for their future. In the end, it probably doesn't mean anything.
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Originally Posted by New Era
Seems Ward and Ftorek weren't overly impressed last night either and sent a message to Baertschi with an extended view from the pine. Then again, what could that possibly mean?
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That he had a bad game and wasn't playing his best. But what it does not mean is that he is suddenly now endangering his own career potential and that his "attitude problems" will prevent him from being a great player.
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Originally Posted by New Era
To the great critical thinkers that means nothing. They were thrilled with his performance and probably just saving him for main camp!
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I have yet to see a single poster say they were "thrilled" with Baertschi's performance. But I submit that the more patient and thoughtful observers have not jumped to conclusions about what a poor performance means. Or for that matter, a great performance. It is awesome to hear that Ferland is playing so well, and I think this deserves lots of discussion and celebration. But by the same token, while we may be more encouraged about his future as a NHL player today than last week, it is still real, REAL early to know much of anything about what this "means".