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FlameZilla · 03-25-2014, 06:40 PM

Before he was GM Burke essentially said Sven wasn't playing physically enough for his tastes, and that he needed to play a 200-foot game. Better in his own zone, etc. There was no condemnation of his attitude, just an honest appraisal of what he saw in the player who was at the time our top prospect. At the time I think this was Burke posturing against Feaster & Co. but CP read into it a bit too much and decided this message, through the media to Sven, must be a motivational tool.

It just so happened at the time that Sven was making a lot of bad plays in the offensive zone as well. He was gripping his stick a bit hard. Seemed to have lost his mojo. 4th line minutes ensued. CP uproar. 'How is he supposed to get his mojo back on a line with Brian McGrattan?!!'

I think some posters, including myself, observed that he seemed to be putting a lot of pressure on himself – way too much pressure. In interviews he seemed to be a bit down and didn't have the innate confidence that he had when he first turned pro. Nothing was working for him in the offensive zone. He was giving the puck away a lot in his very limited minutes. Healthy scratching ensued. CP: 'Scratch Sven? Hartley's an idiot!!!'

Once Feaster was fired, Burke almost immediately demoted Sven to the Heat. I think, given his struggles at the time it was a fair move. Time in Abbotsford to get his mojo back made an awful lot of sense. CP: 'Burke must really hate Sven!'

This CP idea of the pouty, poor attitude of Sven Baertschi has evolved over the course of the season out of absolutely nothing. The player was sent to the AHL to learn how to improve his game. It's not like he doesn't want to be a complete player; he's young and hasn't learned how to in the NHL yet. If the player is disappointed in the demotion it wasn't because of some sense of entitlement; Sven has very high expectations of himself and he was obviously disappointed in himself. These are all natural reactions for a young professional who has yet to live up to the promise that is expected of him.

He seems to have turned his game around in the AHL, stats-wise at least, in the last month or so. Ward has praised his attitude. I don't think we'll see him in Calgary again this season, but when he turns up to camp next year he is going to be motivated ten-fold by these experiences.

03-25-2014, 06:40 PM	#60
FlameZilla First Line Centre Join Date: Dec 2005 Exp:	Before he was GM Burke essentially said Sven wasn't playing physically enough for his tastes, and that he needed to play a 200-foot game. Better in his own zone, etc. There was no condemnation of his attitude, just an honest appraisal of what he saw in the player who was at the time our top prospect. At the time I think this was Burke posturing against Feaster & Co. but CP read into it a bit too much and decided this message, through the media to Sven, must be a motivational tool. It just so happened at the time that Sven was making a lot of bad plays in the offensive zone as well. He was gripping his stick a bit hard. Seemed to have lost his mojo. 4th line minutes ensued. CP uproar. 'How is he supposed to get his mojo back on a line with Brian McGrattan?!!' I think some posters, including myself, observed that he seemed to be putting a lot of pressure on himself – way too much pressure. In interviews he seemed to be a bit down and didn't have the innate confidence that he had when he first turned pro. Nothing was working for him in the offensive zone. He was giving the puck away a lot in his very limited minutes. Healthy scratching ensued. CP: 'Scratch Sven? Hartley's an idiot!!!' Once Feaster was fired, Burke almost immediately demoted Sven to the Heat. I think, given his struggles at the time it was a fair move. Time in Abbotsford to get his mojo back made an awful lot of sense. CP: 'Burke must really hate Sven!' This CP idea of the pouty, poor attitude of Sven Baertschi has evolved over the course of the season out of absolutely nothing. The player was sent to the AHL to learn how to improve his game. It's not like he doesn't want to be a complete player; he's young and hasn't learned how to in the NHL yet. If the player is disappointed in the demotion it wasn't because of some sense of entitlement; Sven has very high expectations of himself and he was obviously disappointed in himself. These are all natural reactions for a young professional who has yet to live up to the promise that is expected of him. He seems to have turned his game around in the AHL, stats-wise at least, in the last month or so. Ward has praised his attitude. I don't think we'll see him in Calgary again this season, but when he turns up to camp next year he is going to be motivated ten-fold by these experiences.