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Originally Posted by kyuss275
I would have sent him back also. Now with injuries there is no point. It is interesting what Friedman is saying though. I think Sven would be un-happy but take it like a man. I am not sure what his agent would do? Maybe its me, but i hear agents more and more demanding trades for their young clients the second something does not go their way.
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I don't think Sven would react the way some other prospects have. Few react that way, I find.
Ward is a good development coach as well. In the last few years, he has had to use guys like Kolanos in prime offensive opportunities because the Heat had little else in the way of offensive firepower. I believe they were in the bottom 5 or so (if memory serves - anyone care to double-check feel free to) offensively in the AHL.
This year, you are seeing a much more offensively robust team. The youth are the ones for the most part having that impact. Sven would definitely be a part of that, and Ward would have the 'luxury' of being tough on Sven as well, ensuring he doesn't develop into an offensive player with a defensively deficient game. Same values that Hartley is trying to instill in Baertschi.
With that being said, I think Sven will develop fine in the NHL. It would be one thing if Hartley is not 'teaching' Sven. If he was merely just scratching him and berating him, I would be on the bandwagon of having Hartley being dismissed ASAP. However, Hartley does have one-on-ones with Baertschi, going over video and explaining what he needs to do to improve as a professional (this coming from an interview or two I read from Baertschi).
I think at the moment, Baertschi is treading water. Sometimes his head is going below the surface, resulting in being scratched. More often than not, he is treading. If Sven hasn't noticeably improved his game by the mid-point, I would say it would be time to send him down to the Heat and let him develop a bit against some lower competition, and playing more minutes.
Between now and the trade deadline, there is probably going to be a massive increase in available ice-time. Sven needs to be a better 200ft player in order to take advantage of that, and I think Hartley is trying to do his best getting Sven prepared.
Hartley does reward Sven. There was a game (I can't remember which, but it was a loss - first game against Dallas maybe?) where Sven had the most ice-time for forwards. Higher than Cammalleri, Stajan and Hudler. He was one of the few players out there that was having a good game, and was rewarded for it. Conversely, when he is not, he gets his ice-time reduced. I think at this stage, that is a fair expectation for a developing player.
I think he will be fine in time. He is a smart, cerebral player with a high work-ethic. He is undersized (not badly, but noticeably) and players of his stature normally have a bit harder time breaking in and finding a way to succeed. I would bet he improves noticeably this season as it goes by, and will hopefully be ready to take on some of that ice-time that will be freed up from a couple of the vets that will be moved between now and the deadline.