[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

The debate is some of us don't feel like he was ever given a fair shake.

I understand that many have obviously turned on Sven, and many had soured on him long before he was even dealt.

9 mins of ice time playing with checkers and grinders was never putting Sven into a position where he could succeed.

Regardless of how he performed he was stapled to the bench in the third period.

Regardless of how he performed he was never given more minutes.

All of Gaudreau, Jooris, Granlund, Monahan were given minutes from the get go and basically put in a sink or swim pattern. Some faltered and after a scratch were put back into the lineup with some more ice time to prove what they were. They also got linemates to play to their strengths.

Listen I understand that coaches have their favorites, and guys that they don't like. Coaches are human too. Hartley has brought our young guys along great this season, but he clearly didn't like what he saw from Sven.

Baertschi had an extremely short leash compared to our other young guys. Anybody that watched the games can't deny this fact.

What Sven is will be clear to see if and when Vancouver gives him ice time that exceeds the 9 mins a night he got under Hartley this year. My big problem with the way it all was handled is nobody actually knows what Sven actually is. NHL star? KHL bound? 2nd line scoring winger? Bust? I just wish Hartley had given him some leash to find out.

Now I won't argue that Sven had some nights this season where he wasn't getting premium ice time.

However last season he played 26 games with the Flames, over 1/4 of a full season, not one game did he get less than 10 minutes. He was playing 18 minutes some nights, some nights 15 minutes. He was given ample opportunity to shine and he had 2 goals and 9 assists, and a pretty ineffective 200 ft game. He had his opportunities. This season the competition on the wings was stronger, the games have been much more important, they're fighting for the playoffs, ice time just isn't as easy to give out. I just don't buy that he wasn't given some leash. He was given a tremendous amount of opportunity.

Detroit is obviously the benchmark on player development and for good reason.

Here's a quote from Tomas Tatar:

“Obviously when you’re in Grand Rapids you’re not happy you’re not here,” Tatar said. “It’s kind of frustrating. But at the end of the day, it’s going to help you. This is the right way for development. I mean, it helped me a lot to be in G.R. and play my minutes there, be in certain situations on the ice and just learn. The hard way, I think, is the right way.”

That is the kind of attitude expected of a pro.

Here's another one:

“Coach explain to me that I’m the youngest guy, I have to wait for my chance,” Tatar said. “And then I started on the fourth line. I had to build the trust in the coach, and it took me maybe 40 games.”

That is again the attitude expected from a pro.

Here's a quote from Babcock:

“I like him,” Babcock said. “I think he’s a good player. He’s a very usable player, has a knack for the net. But early going in the season, tie goes to the veteran not to the kid. That’s just life. It’s amazing how that works. We’ll get it worked out.”

If you can take criticism, use it as motivation, and prove yourself, then you will have every chance to succeed.