Baertchi hasn't shown anything special in the NHL or AHL this year. He seems more physically ready than ever before, but I think his speed took a hit in the process. He's no longer able to find open ice and is always trying to play the body instead of the puck which isn't his game.
I will say that Baertchi was NHL ready after what he showed in the AHL during the lockout. I don't want to say that Burke ruined Baertchi by sending him down, but it's starting to seem that Baertchi isn't mentally ready for the NHL.
Every other call-up has shown more this year (even Ferland between his brief NHL exposure and success in the AHL). Baertchi is being passed on the depth chart and doesn't seem determined enough to take the next step.
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