Quote:
Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood
I don't agree with what you are saying. Baertschi WAS playing in all three zones and playing hard when he got scratched. That's why there was an uproar here on CP. It was a stupid decision to scratch him. He had been working his bag off and had been reported that he was staying late w coaches after practices to go over defensive positioning in situations on tape. So you reward him with the pressbox? If you try to sell me something different I won't buy it and I will suggest you weren't watching Baertschi closely enough.
Backlund has also been playing very well, especially on the D side of the puck. By far our best defensive/smart player all season. Once again it was a stupid decision to scratch him. Hartley gives him less than 10 minutes vs. Washington plays him with Bouma and McGrattan and then scratches him the next game? Backlund was 70% in the circle that night. Go with three centers and double shift Joe Colbourne vs. the Leafs? Dumb.
The big problem is there have been other players getting a free pass on their horrible play, yet you bench the kids who are giving it their all? This is supposed to be a rebulid. Bench the struggling half assed vets and let the kids learn their place in the NHL.
It's beyond obvious some players have a MUCH longer leash than others and I think it stinks, especially since we heard ALL summer that it didn't matter what you make or how long you've been in this league, if you get out played you will sit.
What a load of BS all that talk was.
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I am trying not to look at the pressbox as a reward/punishment thing with a rebuilding team and more as a developement tool. I
was watching Baertschi and from game 1 he was working his bag off and putting in the time, to focus on the defensive side of the puck. In the few games before he got benched he was becoming more of a "safe" player. More dumping into the zone, more peeling back early. And there is nothing wrong with that, but in the same way Edmonton has ruined their youth by not giving them the training defensivally I think Baertschi and Backlund have both been too focused on that.
When people talk about sending kids back to junior there is always talk about confidence and losing it on the big stage. Baertschi to me looked like a player losing his offensive confidence, he wasn't trying to beat guys one on one, he wasn't taking the play to his opponents.
While a veteren will work through it, a rookie needs a more restrictive approach so he doesn't work himself down. I trust that the coaching staff understand the best method to use with their players.
The pressbox for young guys isn't meant to be "you are playing bad and are punished", but can be more of a "you could be better, take a new perspective and refocus on what you need to do."
I stand by Baertschi looking way more comfortable and confident since then and I think it may just do the same for Backlund. Hartley and the team are not only building a culture, but also training these guys to be complete players, not one sided dynammos.