Quote:
Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist
I have a few issues with this analysis
First, he referenced what he's seen, but to suggest the President of Hockey Operations hasn't had a full briefing on the teams top prospect is also off the mark.
Second, who had suggested they haven't told him first? I have little doubt they did. Does that make a public shaming justified? He used pretty clear language to suggest Baertschi is lazy and doesn't care about what the coaches would obviously expect of him. Again, this only makes sense of the kid isn't listening or Burke trying to be intentionally controversial (the latter has much more history to prove it true). Otherwise, what purpose does this serve? Why wouldn't the prudent and professional course of keeping it between management and player be the right one?
Third, Burke never mentioned the preseason as the time frame. He was asked about what he thought of Sven Baertschi, not his preseason.
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I agree that he he for sure has had a full briefing of Baertschi, but regardless he has had a terrible camp. Burke strikes me as a guy who would certainly take into account his briefings on Sven, but after seeing his pre-season, of course he would think there's been a step backwards for him after his camp. And there have been plenty of people in here suggesting that they haven't spoken with Sven first and are now just "bashing" him in the media.
I didn't hear anything about Burke implying him to be lazy or not care, just overviewing parts of his game with deficiencies.
I just think people are completely overblowing it. He was asked a question about a player and he answered with his honest opinion. His other options were "no comment" or to lie. Which would you prefer? If it's no comment fine, but if a reporter asks Burke to give an analysis on a player and he said "no comment" I feel like the reaction here would be even more over the top.
And to your point before, I do think that this shows Sven has a bit of an attitude issue. Not saying it's the end of the world, we all get attitude issues at some point, but his lackluster play all the way through rookie and training camp says to me that he felt he shouldn't have needed to participate, and in fact he said so. Even if that is your opinion, the effort still needs to be there. And when it's not, it just looks like whining. Because you KNOW, if Baertschi was putting in the effort that a guy like Ferland was putting in during camp, Sven would have been heads and shoulders above everyone in the rookie camp.
If you are playing like junk, Brian Burke will not praise you. It's just the way it is. When (not if, when) Sven picks up his game, I'm sure Burke will be quick to praise his improvements.