So much anger in this thread really, and I think it is a bit premature.
First off, I don't think Baertschi played himself onto the team. He just didn't do enough. Some of his game looked better, but I wouldn't call him some catalyst out there making things happen. There is no question that Gaudreau did much more than he did. Bennett as well, Granlund and I would also lump Jooris and Ferland as guys who did more regularly. Did Baertschi 'suck'? No, he didn't suck, and he was pretty decent. Just not quite there. What is wrong with letting him try and dominate the AHL for 'x' amount of time first?
Secondly, we have to look at the organization as a fluid body, not one that is fixed with deadlines. We have to factor in waivers and asset management. Does this mean that sometimes a prospect gets sent down 'unfairly'? Yes, that is the unfortunate consequence of managing a team.
This is what my rationale is to proceeding with the rebuild slowly and steadily - Ottawa Senators.
They went through their rebuild rather quickly, and were looked upon as a team that was on the verge of breaking out and becoming a regular playoff team. What happened? Could it have been that they rushed through their rebuild? Maybe they threw too many kids playing out of their minds on sheer excitement and did better than expected. Eventually they leveled off and came down to their abilities, and it was not a playoff team.
Flames are doing ok. Setoguchi will either do better or he will be waived. It is that simple. When they signed him to a 'show me' reclamation contract, was the onus on him showing enough during preseason? I don't think that is a valid time frame to gain enough insight. Sure, he didn't look great. Not at all. However, many players look great in the preseason, and completely dive once the season gets underway. Let him prove to the organization that he is indeed still a capable RW in the NHL for the next segment of regular season games. If not, I will bet you that the Flames find a way to get him off the roster, including shipping him to Adirondack, or even just make him the consistently scratched forward.
Jooris played great, but he needs to show that he can do so for a larger sample size.
This season will be about earning it. It just doesn't get earned within a few meaningless preseason games. Let's all just take a breath and see what happens for the next 20 games.
I myself was more disappointed in seeing Ferland included in the last cuts, as I think not only did he have more success, but he seemed more ready to handle the rigors of an NHL season. I still think that sending him down is the 'safe' move, and I know that it will only be a matter of time before he gets called up and sticks.
This season we will all start to see the 'cream of the crop' start rising and getting their chances. It isn't that big of a deal that they aren't here on opening night. There will be trades, injuries, demotions, etc. There is a heck of a lot of opportunity. I would rather the Flames carry on this way and have them slowly add-in prospects to the roster, rather than pull an Ottawa and think that they have taken a giant step, only to realize how big of a mistake their judgement really was. This upcoming draft is way too important.
You can call it 'tanking', or you can call it 'playing it safe', or you can just call it 'proper asset management'. I just think the correct path is a slow and steady progression in which prospects get added to the team during the season as injuries mount, and trades happen. This isn't some kind of a race to the finish line. It is the accumulation and development of talent over time that will enable the Flames to one day become true contenders again. The best rebuilds are the patient rebuilds.
I remember Dean Lombardi taking a LOT of flack from both the fans and media for 'going to slow' and not making enough moves and putting enough 'youth' in the lineup. There were rumors he was about to get fired, and that is when he made the coaching change and finally made a few moves. Team won the cup. A couple of times now, and counting. Would that LA team still be this strong had he rushed it to appease fans or the media? Doubtful.
Patience is virtue in a rebuild I think. Unless you are the Edmonton Oilers. But then again, I would argue they rushed their kids up on their team prematurely - at the very least, handed over the reigns to their "young turks" (or rather, young turds) and you can see the results. These kids are going to have to earn it with a LOT of effort to make the team. Veterans who we all see as 'undeserving' - their value is still to shoulder the losses and allow the Flames to force the youth to work harder to earn it. Sure, they haven't earned it themselves, but who really cares about players like Jones and Setoguchi anyways? When this team is relevant, they will be long gone.
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