Quote:
Originally Posted by FAN
But that was the AHL. Baertschi is a player you probably need to just gift minutes and offensive opportunities to see if he can produce. Criticizing him like Burke did simply doesn't work with him. He needs to be coddled. Not saying that it will work, but it works better.
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We're all guessing, but I think they have to do the opposite (!).
Following Sven (via CP) after we drafted him, I remember reading about how he worked hard on his skills and even remember seeing a video of him in Portland practicing his stick skills when no one else was left on the ice. At that time, I thought that reflected a thorough work ethic.
However, I've come around to the opinion that Sven has a very specific work ethic. He has the enthusiasm to work on the things he wants (stick handling, shooting) and not on the things he doesn't like (physical aspect, attention to D).
The Flames had no luck changing that habit, and you can still read that his current Vancouver version still wants to focus on the things he likes to do. I think Vancouver's only chance with him is to take a tough stance, outline his weaknesses, and tell him to work on it during the summer. If they coddle, he won't improve. But if they're tough with him, and if he realizes he's hearing the same message from his new team, maybe it'll finally get through.