Quote:
Originally Posted by djsFlames
Sven in the 3-5 range is acceptable and likely accurate.
One of Poirier, Klimchuk, Granlund may surpass him I think. All just keep looking better and better, while Sven has kind of levelled off this past year.
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I don't think Sven levelled off... I think he continued to improve last year... Including his defensive game I think. He was the Heat's best player for the last few months of the season. And he has produced at the NHL level. He has a .47 ppg in the NHL without getting top minutes or powerplay time.
People seem to have really given up on baertschi and I don't know why. Seemed like the majority of us thought he was being treated harshly last year at the beginning of the season compared to lots of other players. Never the less... We accepted that extra development in the AHL could be good for him and that's what he did... Developed his game. He admitted that his confidence was rattled by being sent down but he adopted a positive attitude and had a great second half to the season.
What makes everyone so sure he is so much worse than Reinhart and granlund? I'm glad the flames have lots of guys that are knocking on the door to make the team. But neither of those guys got the pressure from fans and the public criticism from management that baertschi did. He recovered from it and is probably that much stronger of a player now. I would not be surprised to find he's developed a thicker hide to stuff like that from this experience. Remember that his strong work ethic and his love for the game are some of the qualities most attributed to him. He's a great kid and has tons of skill that should find a place on this team. I hope he dominates in preseason and earns that spot back... Followed up by a breakout year in NHL.