[News] Flames scratch Sven...again

[albertGQ]

Not a fan of this move.

This better not turn into Marc Savard 2.0

I'm a big fan of Sven and think he'll be a superstar one day.

[kirant]

Flames want to get blown out again?

[codynw]

Would be less disappointed if they didn't scratch him for Jackman of all players. Other than dumb pentalites, what has Jackman brought to the team so far this year?

[starseed]

There must be a benefit to impatiently shattering his confidence that I am not seeing.

[nemanja2306]

It's obvious Burke isn't a fan of Sven, could he be a trade bait for a young D-man?

[Cheese]

Sven needs to toughen up a bit more IMHO, physically and mentally. I think he could use more AHL seasoning.
Still gets knocked off the puck pretty easily, and that is likely why the coaches bench him.
Just speculating though, and I dont think he will ever be a superstar.

[bluck]

Jeeze.. Terrible move imo.. I almost feel like bumping my "Is Bob Hartley the right coach for this team" thread again

[Poe969]

I really hope Jackman is in the lineup, he brings all kinds of...........something to the lineup.

[BigFlameDog]

Holy frik.....you guys....it's going to be ok...probably.

[J epworth]

He was terrible last game. Young players are always given a shorter leash on NHL teams, and when you have a game like he did in Chicago, you would hope that he gets put in the press box next game.

Also, if this "shatters" his confidence, it's pretty sad that a young professional player wouldn't be able to handle this adversity. NHL players don't need to be coddled, especially when entering the league. They need to appreciate how tough it is to stay in this league, or they will keep up their bad habits throughout their whole career.

[GreenLantern]

Apparently it is because of his three zone play, they want him to watch the game from the pressbox again to improve.

BAERTSCHI, SMITH TO SIT

Hartley announced that forward Sven Baertschi and defenceman Derek Smith will sit as healthy scratches tonight. The decision to sit Baertschi is similar to when he was held out of the lineup earlier this year. The coaching staff wants the youngster to get a better grasp of the game in all three zones.

"We're going to have a video session this afternoon. I told him on the ice that I want to show him where we need an improvement. At the same time, guys like Jackman, McGrattan and Bouma, they're bringing something every day to the table.

"Our number one priority as a coaching staff is to win some games. Number two, we want to make sure that we're a solid team, we're a solid family. We need everyone. The best way to stay in the lineup on a game-to-game basis is to perform."

According to Hartley, the mental aspect of sitting as a healthy scratch is also something a young player can learn from.

"That's part of his challenge. Mental toughness ... is a big part of this deal. This is a business for men. This is the best hockey league in the world."

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=690113

[Erick Estrada]

As I said in the other thread; send him down. Let him play top line minutes in Abbotsford. Let him score lots of points. Let him regain his confidence. The Flames aren't making the playoffs this year so IMO the focus should be on player development and Sven isn't getting that being scratched weekly and being benched for periods at a time. Let him play, play, play.

This three zone talk is great and all but he's not putting up a lot of points and I feel he needs to get that down in the pros before worrying about the three zones.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

He was terrible last game. Young players are always given a shorter leash on NHL teams, and when you have a game like he did in Chicago, you would hope that he gets put in the press box next game.

Also, if this "shatters" his confidence, it's pretty sad that a young professional player wouldn't be able to handle this adversity. NHL players don't need to be coddled, especially when entering the league. They need to appreciate how tough it is to stay in this league, or they will keep up their bad habits throughout their whole career.

Hey!!! what the hell you trying to do by bringing all that reasoned thought and common sense in here. Were trying to have a freak out sword fight in here.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Agree on the point about players not needing to be coddled. He's played really well in some games and has been below his abilities on others.

This is likely more a statement by Hartley on how good he thinks Sven can be, and his opinion that while he's played well in a lot of the games, he has the skill and ability to be much, much better.

If taken the right way by the player, it could actually help.

[Table 5]

Not a huge surprise. He's been getting less and less ice time the last few games, and without putting up points, I was wondering if this was going to happen. Disappointing, but not surprising... I wish the kids had the benefit of patience that the vets seem always get.

[SuperMatt18]

Issue is we have too many top 9 players.

Colborne, Backlund, Baerstchi, and Monahan are battling for three top 9 spots effectively.

As of right now Colborne and Monahan are playing the best so they have been staying in the lineup, while Baertschi and Backlund are left to battle it out for that last spot.

[Igster]

At the same time, guys like Jackman, McGrattan and Bouma, they're bringing something every day to the table.

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....

[Bertuzzied]

Sven Scratchapov

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

As I said in the other thread; send him down. Let him play top line minutes in Abbotsford. Let him score lots of points. Let him regain his confidence. The Flames aren't making the playoffs this year so IMO the focus should be on player development and Sven isn't getting that being scratched weekly and being benched for periods at a time. Let him play, play, play.

This three zone talk is great and all but he's not putting up a lot of points and I feel he needs to get that down in the pros before worrying about the three zones.

I don't think you can send him down until Hartley articulates, and Sven understands, exactly what is wanted. The 3 zone comments are fine, but either Baertschi doesn't understand what Bob is talking about, or Bob has a blind-spot that makes him think he's explaining himself when he's really not.

[The Yen Man]

I know people are upset Jackman's in and not Baertschi, but Jackman's just a placeholder. He's there to play when they feel Sven needs to sit out a game and work on positioning.

Sven is a prospect the organization wants to develop longterm. It does him no favours to continue playing him when he's played bad. Last thing you want is to spoon feed him minutes when he doesn't deserve it. Look how well it's working up in Edmonton.

I don't mind the tough love approach. Seemed to have worked well with Kadri.