Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Reeeeead
Fine guys, Baertschi was so awesome at the NHL that the Flames deemed that needed more time in the minors. Cool.
But really, ok, you didn't like the words I chose. What's your point? He wasn't NHL material at any point in the last season, and is a guy fighting for a roster spot to start the season. What needs to be said more than that at this point? He has not yet proven to be an NHL player (otherwise he could crack the Flames). All I'm really doing is drawing a comparison to the career path at the moment to Gormley.
Saying he got some points in a limited sample, while doing so in a sheltered, PP filled role, in mostly garbage points of lost seasons, and playing poor defense is not an impressive showing. The NHL is littered with former players that had much more impressive point totals in small samples that failed to have staying power. Why? Because of role context. Baertschi didn't forget how to play hockey last season. He had the same flaws holding him back when he accumulated those points that he has now. You just probably didn't notice.
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Listen man, no one is disagreeing with you that he needs more time to develop, but you sound like you're all but writing him off because he hasn't shown a complete NHL calibre game yet, and isn't putting up ppg.