[News] Swiss Olympic Team - Berra (No Sven)

[PeteMoss]

Goalies: Reto Berra, Jonas Hiller, Tobias Stephan.

Defenseman: Severin Blindenbacher, Raphael Diaz, Philippe Furrer, Roman Josi, Mathias Seger, Mark Streit, Julien Vauclair, Yannick Weber.

Forwards: Andres Ambuhl, Matthias Bieber, Simon Bodenmann, Damien Brunner, Luca ####i, Ryan Gardner, Denis Hollenstein, Simon Moser, Nino Niederreiter, Martin Pluss, Kevin Romy, Reto Suri, Morris Trachsler, Roman Wick.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=440514

[PeteMoss]

I don't know some of these guys I did see Denis Hollenstein when he was in Guelph. If he's even in Baertchi's league I would eat my hat.

[strombad]

Interesting, thought Sven might have been given a sniff, but not surprised he didn't make it based on his play.

That team is going to get dominated outside of their first defensive pairing.

[FlamesAddiction]

Poor Luca.

[Roof-Daddy]

Luca Sbisa hurt? Must be because I can't see any other way he doesn't make this team.

[SeanCharles]

Sven is better than most of the players on this roster! But he is having a rough year and they don't stand a chance so no biggie...

[Coach]

I don't see why they wouldn't bring Sven. He hasn't had a great start to the year but he's still better than at least 1/2 their forwards (I would guess since I've never heard of most of them). Yeah they'll get punted either way, but would probably be a great experience for the guy. Too bad. Good for Berra though!

[bubbsy]

warranted or not, sure it's disappointing for Baertchi...

i hope the coaching staff and management have a well articulated plan for how Baertchi gets to the next level of development. Is it really just getting bigger/stronger, or does he need to look at his style of play.... I don't just mean becoming a better defensive player, i thought he looked pretty lost/ineffective offensive most of the time also.

[PeteMoss]

Safe to assume Berra will be the back-up? That other guy played a few games for Dallas in 08-09 but has been in Europe since (good stats over there though)

[bubbsy]

considering this olympics is being played on the big ice, i think the euro teams will be much more willing to take players doing well in the euro leagues over depth guys in the NHL....

[JiriHrdina]

No Tim Ramholt?

[SuperMatt18]

The Swiss team relies on chemistry and playing a strong 200 ft team game to succeed.

If they didn't have Sven playing in the top 6 (maybe even top 3) then they can't really put him on the roster.

On pure talent he obviously deserves to make the team, but for a team like the Swiss chemistry and team style is more important then talent.

[devo22]

A few surprises. Big story in the Swiss media seems to be that Martin Gerber is not on the list after his good WC tournament ... probably because he's injured for another couple of weeks or so, as is Sbisa. Some experts also expected Baertschi, Andrighetto (who's not even on their "side list" ... interesting) and a couple of NLA players, but their coach chose Gardner, Furrer and Bodenmann instead.

Too bad that Sven misses out, but with Niederreiter, Brunner, Wick, Moser and Suri they just have a lot of more experienced wingers. Too bad that Sven was injured last spring ... maybe he'd go to Sochi if he had been a part of their great WC team.

[troutman]

Ryan Gardner from Toronto, Switzerland.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by troutman

Ryan Gardner from Toronto, Switzerland.

Taking the mantle from Hnat Domenichelli?

[SoulOfTheFlame]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

No Tim Ramholt?

Can't miss pick guys.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

considering this olympics is being played on the big ice, i think the euro teams will be much more willing to take players doing well in the euro leagues over depth guys in the NHL....

This is a good point and makes sense. But you have to think that after NN and Brunner, Sven is likely the next most talented Swiss forward.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by troutman

Ryan Gardner from Toronto, Switzerland.

This guy was unbelievably terrible in junior... I'm amazed he's made a career out of hockey in Europe. Good for him.

[You Need a Thneed]

I was hoping playing in the Olympics could restore some confidence in Sven- be a step in his maturing as a player.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by MattyC

This is a good point and makes sense. But you have to think that after NN and Brunner, Sven is likely the next most talented Swiss forward.

He's talented but I think maybe Flames fans are overrating his game. He wasn't very good with the Flames and hasn't hit his stride in Abbotsford. It's obviously not just Burke and Hartley that see the shortcomings in his game given the management of the Swiss team also doesn't see a player ready to help them.

Not sure where he's going to fit with new management but I don't think his trade value is great at the moment. Hopefully he can get going in the 2nd half of the AHL season and make a push for the Flames in training camp next season. Flames can't afford guys like Sven to be busts.