Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
I think Baertschi has really made an effort to improve his two way game. It still isn't great and he is less than effective in two zones, but he is trying and learning. I can see why management would not be happy with him. He isn't using those smarts he has to his advantage. He isn't using his hockey IQ to read plays and make smart defensive zone plays like Datsyuk. If he's going to be soft on the defensive side of the puck he has to be a lot smarter.
In the offensive zone he also refuses to go to the tough parts of the ice where he can score. He's playing around the perimeter and picking up assists, which I don't think the team was expecting. I think they were expecting him to go to the dirty areas, like he did in junior or during his emergency call-up, and score some goals. He doesn't have a hard shot, so he isn't going to beat goaltenders from the perimeter. To score he needs to go to the net and he isn't doing that.
I think that the management are disappointed in Baertschi's play because he isn't using the smarts advantage he has over other players. It shows in all zones. He's trying to make plays through people rather than making the intelligent play. He is an exciting talent, but so was Robbie Schremp. Baertschi needs to use his skill set better and display that nose for the net more often. Second assists aren't going to carve out a NHL career for him, at least not with the Calgary Flames with Hartley, Feaster and Burke calling the shots.
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Baertschi's issues in the defensive zone stem 100% from an inconsistent motor. His awareness is evident, he has a great stick for breaking up plays, and he is often in the right position. he isn't lost in his own zone. Earlier on, he wasn't playing defense with the same explosiveness and tenacity he played offense with. That was their issue with him.
Comparisons to Rob Schremp aren't fair. Schremp was a PP specialist who couldn't skate and didn't want to compete. He played on a stacked junior team, and made some money off it.
You're right, he does need to go to the net more, and although he doesn't have the heaviest shot, it's pretty accurate and it's quick enough. He doesn't need to blow it through people.
When Sven was having success in his emergency callup, it was because he looked like he knew exactly where he was supposed to be, and the game was being played in slow motion. His skillset and style is very reminiscent of Eberle. He needs to get back to that simple smart style of game. There's greatness in him, he just has to figure out how to get at it.