This is a good trade for both teams, but I give the edge to the Flames. Baertschi asked to be moved and we moved him for the best deal available. A 2nd round pick is really all we could ask for.
As for the Canucks, they are getting a 1st round talent who is clearly skilled enough to play in the NHL. He just needs to improve his strength and dedicate himself to playing a complete game (essentially, his draft day scouting report remains). And ya, the Canucks seem to love giving up 2nd round picks for skilled, finesse players who have yet to show they can crack the NHL full time but who will be exposed to NHL waivers real soon. But they do seem to love those WHL players over there and have given chances to skilled but physically weak players, so I anticipate the Canucks giving him a chance next season. The Canucks will need to move some players in the offseason though.
The 1st round of the 2011 NHL draft has turned out into a pretty average one. Lots of players have games played in the NHL but very few have developed anywhere close to projections. At the time, besides Baertschi, the other candidates where McNeil and Armia, and neither of them have done anything in the NHL (yet?).
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