Friedman's 30 Thoughts - Nov 6

[sureLoss]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...for-ted-nolan/

12. As the injuries mounted last week, Calgary called up Sven Baertschi from Abbotsford. His numbers were ugly in the AHL, just three points (no goals) in 10 games. Even worse, a few teams that saw him were exceedingly unimpressed, with one suggesting he wouldn’t want Baertschi near his other prospects. The Flames defended the forward against accusations that his attitude was bad. “Was he unhappy to be there? Yes, initially he was, but we could understand that,” said GM Brad Treliving. “To say he was causing problems, that’s not fair.” Treliving added that there is room in Calgary for Baertschi’s skill-set. He is exempt from waivers for another year or so. That’s probably the real deadline for him in southern Alberta.

Had a funny conversation with a GM last weekend. Heard he was looking for a defenceman, he responded with, “Everyone is looking for a defenceman.” Montreal is checking to see what’s out there. The decimated Rangers are bringing in Tomas Kaberle, with no contract offer. Philadelphia’s search, before signing Carlo Colaiacovo, was exhaustive. “Name someone,” one agent said. “They considered him.” The same GM quoted above talked to a team with eight one-way contracts on its blueline, only to be told none were available. “They wanted to keep all of them,” he said.

The Rangers are one of several clubs waiting to see what the Hurricanes decide with Andrej Sekera. There’s no guarantee that comes quickly, especially now that Carolina is healthier and stabilized. Depending on what happens with Slava Voynov, opponents think Los Angeles could be interested, too. Also heard some talk about Zbynek Michalek, a different player than Sekera, but also a right-hand shot. Coyotes GM Don Maloney wouldn’t bite on an inquiry about it.

Whenever Keith Yandle’s name surfaces in rumours, I go back to an old Maloney line about him: “If we trade him, you will (hear the deal) and understand why.” The only difference now is his contract, which only has one more year. Does that change the dynamic? The Coyotes know so much of their offence comes in transition from he and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. If they do it, can they replace what he brings now, or is that step one of a long-term build?

[Poe969]

Sven really needs to prove himself soon. It seems like the rest of the league is taking notice so now would be the perfect time for him to prove his worth.

[GreenLantern]

I just wonder what happened with him? Is it just a confidence issue? Frustration from being sent down has soured him? He has nobody to blame for that but himself. It can't be about opportunity, because if you look at this roster right now there is every opportunity to claim a spot.

[Street Pharmacist]

Confidence for sure I think

[madmike]

This looks to be about his last shot with the Flames. I know he's young and there's still time, but he's been passed by several prospects already - Gaudreau, Granlund, Jooris, Ferland - with plenty more on the horizon - Poirier, Klimchuk, Reinhart, Knight, Smith, Jankowski. I know they don't all play the same position and have different skillsets, but I think Baertschi at this point is seriously in danger of falling out of the Flames' future plans. There are only so many NHL spots to go around.

[ClubFlames]

How can Sven change his attitude when he is only getting 7 minutes of ice time? Hartley hates him!

[Caged Great]

Concussions could be a factor. They basically ended Daniel Tkaczuk's career and he was looking quite solid before he got hurt. Sven might be headed the same path

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by madmike

This looks to be about his last shot with the Flames. I know he's young and there's still time, but he's been passed by several prospects already - Gaudreau, Granlund, Jooris, Ferland - with plenty more on the horizon - Poirier, Klimchuk, Reinhart, Knight, Smith, Jankowski. I know they don't all play the same position and have different skillsets, but I think Baertschi at this point is seriously in danger of falling out of the Flames' future plans. There are only so many NHL spots to go around.

Thats a lot of prospects and you didn't even list possibly the best one. Plus whoever they pick this year, assuming they still get a decent draft spot.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Thats a lot of prospects and you didn't even list possibly the best one. Plus whoever they pick this year, assuming they still get a decent draft spot.

Lol yeah Bennett - although he looks to be a sure fit at C and Baertschi won't be there.

At LW there's Gaudreau with Poirier and Klimchuk coming on. I want Baertschi to succeed and I know there's still some time, but realistically he really needs to show something now. If he gets passed by Poirier and/or Klimchuk I really can't see him being a Flame much longer.

[Ashasx]

I think speaking in absolutes is a fallacy. It's in the Flames best interests for Baertschi to develop. If he doesn't stick with the team now doesn't mean he can't in the future.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Concussions could be a factor. They basically ended Daniel Tkaczuk's career and he was looking quite solid before he got hurt. Sven might be headed the same path

Never thought of that

[madmike]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think speaking in absolutes is a fallacy. It's in the Flames best interests for Baertschi to develop. If he doesn't stick with the team now doesn't mean he can't in the future.

It's true - but my point is he's not playing in a vacuum. The Flames have plenty of decent forward prospects now and most seem to be developing better than Baertschi. If he doesn't show something soon, he risks being buried so far down the depth chart he won't get another shot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think speaking in absolutes is a fallacy. It's in the Flames best interests for Baertschi to develop. If he doesn't stick with the team now doesn't mean he can't in the future.

There wasn't much in the way of absolutes in the posts. More like predictions based on the past evidence and the persence of a lot of guys who aer doing better right now. We all agree - it would be best for Sven to make it in the organization.

At the same time I don't think it's productive to look at his mediocre play here and in the AHL this year and blame it on management/ice time/linemates/being "under the microscope". Speaking of which, I disagree that no one has been the subject of more attention. JG clearly has had more this year. It's just that he met the challenge (so far).

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by madmike

It's true - but my point is he's not playing in a vacuum. The Flames have plenty of decent forward prospects now and most seem to be developing better than Baertschi. If he doesn't show something soon, he risks being buried so far down the depth chart he won't get another shot.

The Flames have given other prospects that have shown far less new contracts.

It's not in the Flames best interests to release Baertschi for nothing. We are not near that point.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by madmike

Lol yeah Bennett - although he looks to be a sure fit at C and Baertschi won't be there.

At LW there's Gaudreau with Poirier and Klimchuk coming on. I want Baertschi to succeed and I know there's still some time, but realistically he really needs to show something now. If he gets passed by Poirier and/or Klimchuk I really can't see him being a Flame much longer.

Poirier is a left-shooting RW'er. He prefers to play his off-wing. Your point stands, however, especially when you start adding up how many left-shooting centers there are organizationally that may be converted to the LW.

However, I still think the Flames keep him up for an extended time next season before they lose him to waivers, though they will be looking to trade him before that if he doesn't start showing something - even at the AHL level - this season.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

There wasn't much in the way of absolutes in the posts. More like predictions based on the past evidence and the persence of a lot of guys who aer doing better right now. We all agree - it would be best for Sven to make it in the organization.

At the same time I don't think it's productive to look at his mediocre play here and in the AHL this year and blame it on management/ice time/linemates/being "under the microscope". Speaking of which, I disagree that no one has been the subject of more attention. JG clearly has had more this year. It's just that he met the challenge (so far).

"This looks to be about his last shot with the Flames"

That sets up players for failure.

To believe that there are only two extremes on the spectrum is indeed a fallacy. If we used this thinking in regards to Backlund, he wouldn't be a Flame any more.

[heep223]

I'll bet you Wideman has a ton of trade value right now. RH dman with great shot and can play top 4 minutes, PP. Also he is hot. Too bad we don't have the same depth at D that we do at F that would allow us to make a deal....trading him would leave a huge hole.

[GioforPM]

I take "this looks to be" as something less than an absolute, which would be "this is".

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by heep223

I'll bet you Wideman has a ton of trade value right now. RH dman with great shot and can play top 4 minutes, PP. Also he is hot. Too bad we don't have the same depth at D that we do at F that would allow us to make a deal....trading him would leave a huge hole.

I don't think we can trade a Dman, at least not one of the top 4. We could trade Smid/Rafa in a package with a fwd to get a better Dman. I wouldn't trade Engelland at this point. Don't think anyone would take him at the salary either.

I'd say Glencross is the best veteran trade bait. If Seto picks it up, I could see a PO team wanting him as depth.

[thymebalm]

This would be a good time for the leadership group to step it up and bring Baertschi back into the fold. The coaches can't baby him, but if his mental game is in the dumps, maybe guys like Backlund and Giordano who took a long road to establish themselves could get his head back in the right place.

I think this call-up will be good for him, even if his playing time is limited, he'll see that everybody is in on the system.