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Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee
Yes, my read on Baerstchi is that he's the type of guy that when you boost his confidence he is better. Sending him down will only send a very negative message that making the NHL with this club and sticking is an impossibility. Which, let's be honest... might just happen.
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It might. But again, I think it sets a dangerous precedent to award NHL spots to players based on how they might respond emotionally to an AHL assignment. Baertschi had a really good camp. But did he force his way onto the team? Was he so good that management had no choice but to keep him up for opening night? Hardly.
I feel bad for Baertschi and I really hope that he proves his worth to the coaches, and soon. But this is a really, REALLY tough business. If Baertschi wants to be a full time NHL player, then I think the message here is that it will need to come in spite of his fragile confidence. He needs to overcome that, but probably never will with the team only concerned to send him positive reinforcements.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee
There seems to be this letter of the law rule on this website where everyone believes you have to condition in the AHL for 4-5 years. I think it's just because everyone looks at the Oilers and thinks they "rushed them". However there are talented 20 year olds that can and should play in the NHL, and conditioning in the AHL is not always the right answer.
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Wrong. The rule does not apply to Monahan, Gaudreau, or Bennett. You are right. There absolutely are a small handful of gifted 20-year-old players who should and do play in the NHL every season, but these players are in the vast minority of the whole collective of NHL players. The thing is, most do really require several years of development and conditioning in the AHL. Many do not ever make it. It seems that at the top level talent can only get you so far.