[News] Baertschi assigned to Abbotsford. Backlund activated off IR

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by flameswin

If I was the mods, I'd start randomly deleting his posts just to screw with his head..........That's one of the many reasons why i'm not a mod.

Speaking of people who can't discuss things in a mature manner.

[jayswin]

It was a joke, lighten up, man.

[Rudee]

Originally Posted by FlamesAllTheWay

Good and good.

Been wanting Baertschi sent to the minors for awhile now. He's shown flashes but I don't think he's quite ready for full time NHL duty in the top six role that he's meant for. Hope he lights up the A and we see him back soon.

Every player shows flashes now and then. I don't think Sven will have a very long career in the NHL even when he comes back. I think he's a flash in the pan. Another Pavel Brendl.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Be careful of going against the accepted opinion on Calgary Puck. I was called a liar for stating a similar remembered opinion about St. Louis and had my posts deleted along with a few others.

The thing is he was a bit of a favorite of Al Coates, not that Coates did a great job, but he pursued signing him to an NHL contract from an independent team in the International league. If Coates hadn't have been fired St. Louis may still be with us.

Yes, I believe the firing of Al Coates and Brian Sutter by Bremner, created such a disruption at the end of the season, that St. Louis just ended up falling between the cracks, by somehow not being appreciated and signed.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Good move, playing in a quality league such as AHL will be great for his development, just look how it benefited Boyd, Irving, Chucko, Nemisz, the list goes on and on, not to mention there's no room for him on a stacked Flames team.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by Rudee

Every player shows flashes now and then. I don't think Sven will have a very long career in the NHL even when he comes back. I think he's a flash in the pan. Another Pavel Brendl.

Thanks for the contribution of that in-depth and well-reasoned analysis.

Troll.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Good move, playing in a quality league such as AHL will be great for his development, just look how it benefited Boyd, Irving, Chucko, Nemisz, the list goes on and on, not to mention there's no room for him on a stacked Flames team.

Yes, because playing in the AHL really hurt Jon Quick, Erik Karlsson, James Neal, Shea Weber, Zach Parise, Dustin Brown, Jason Spezza, Zdeno Chara, etc.

See, I can list names as well!

[Sakari]

Originally Posted by Rudee

Every player shows flashes now and then. I don't think Sven will have a very long career in the NHL even when he comes back. I think he's a flash in the pan. Another Pavel Brendl.

Hire this man! FEASTER! HIRE THIS MAN! HES THE BEST SCOUT FOR YEARS TO COME! HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR PROSPECTS AND EVERY OTHER PROSPECT IN THE WORLD! FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASTEEEEER HIRE HIM!!!!

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

St. Louis didn't live up to his potential on the Flames because Sutter used him as a 4th line checker. He even stated later that he was grateful for his experience with the Flames, as it greatly improved his defensive ability.

As a STH in those years, I watched him closely and believed him to be an outstanding potential, and was extremely disappointed when he was not signed. In fact, towards the end of the season, I phoned Bremner and told him whatever he did he should not get rid of Martin St. Louis. He sent me a clock, and I call it my Martin St. Louis clock.

I recall during the summer, after losing him, telling my brother-in-law, who spends the winters in the Tampa Bay area, to keep and eye out for Martin St. Louis, and he said, "Martin who?" Needless to say, the rest is history.

I don't think St. Louis really started to shine, until someone took a chance on him, and started playing him on the top line.

St. Louis came up playing on the top line, he faltered (as nearly ever early 20-some year old rookie and sophomore player would) but he was given some chances before (and during) playing on the 4th line. And for what it's worth, St. Louis was re-signed by the Flames, he was just eventually bought out.

St. Louis had potential, I mean obviously, but this was a guy who went undrafted several times, the latest being in the 2000 expansion draft when he was already 25. In very little way is this comparable to Baertschi who before playing a game in the NHL at 18 and 19 years old already had talking-heads calling him a future-star. Trying to draw parallels between the two just seems like a huge stretch.

[kn]

If Sven isn't going to be consistently in the top 9 (top 6 preferably) with some PP time thrown in, then he's better on the farm.

That being said, I'm not terribly confident in this organization's ability to develop prospects. Only time will tell...

[IliketoPuck]

Kid hasn't had enough playing time. He's gone from being the best player on every team he's ever played on, to getting 5-10 minutes a night playing with guys that do not think the game at the same level. Add on top of that a coach that will staple him to the bench at a moments notice, and you have a young player who is over thinking the game, and trying to do it all himself because his line mates are garbage. On top of that he hasn't had a chance to get his game shape up, only playing ten games this year and being injured.

20 minutes a night, first line pp time, and responsibility in all situations will help Sven immensely.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Rudee

Every player shows flashes now and then. I don't think Sven will have a very long career in the NHL even when he comes back. I think he's a flash in the pan. Another Pavel Brendl.

Way too early to tell. I think he is quite skilled and has a great attitude but just needs to work on his strength and putting everything together at an NHL level and speed. Doesn't usually happen right away for most prospects so the jury is still out on him.

Ill give him a couple of years but I think he'll be ready alot sooner than that. Some unfair expectations were place on him as well after last years 3 goals in 5 games.

He will be better served and will get his confidence back getting top line minutes in the minors for now.

[Skyceman]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

Yes, because playing in the AHL really hurt Jon Quick, Erik Karlsson, James Neal, Shea Weber, Zach Parise, Dustin Brown, Jason Spezza, Zdeno Chara, etc.

See, I can list names as well!

Exactly...you go around the league and see case after case where teams that rushed prospects eventually ruined them. I recently heard another story where the GM and coach of another team felt that one of their prospects was almost ready but decided to be patient with him and let him develop another year in the minors. The management took some criticism for the move but it ended up paying off in spades and helped develop him into a top line player today.

Patience is key. If Sven is meant to make the NHL, then he will. If he is a flash in the pan, we'll know soon enough.

[CSharp]

Wished the Flames can send players like S-Faced and Tangay down to the minors. Even a reject like Comeau-ver can play with twice the heart and guys with better skills wanting to make the lineup have to wait. Really pisses me off!

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

Yes, because playing in the AHL really hurt Jon Quick, Erik Karlsson, James Neal, Shea Weber, Zach Parise, Dustin Brown, Jason Spezza, Zdeno Chara, etc.

See, I can list names as well!

Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Eric Staal, Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, Thomas Vanek, Chris Kunitz.

Basically, Flame of Liberty is being overly dramatic and negative once again.

[Alberta_Beef]

I am glad Backlund is back.

And I am glad Sven was demoted. In fact I hope he spends the rest of the year in Abbotsford. He has been clearly overmatched physically this year, I'd like to see him get more accustomed to the pro game then have a shot at the Calder next season.

[indes]

I think he just needs to get back to game speed after the 2 injuries best place for him

[Poe969]

This is what I was saying should have happened a while ago. If he wasn't going to be in our top 6, he should have been in the Heat's top 3. I would have put him on the top line ahead of most guys on our team. But I guess the Flames way is to play him on the 4th line so he gets "protected minutes" but has crap for linemates.

This was a good move but it came too late. The Flames management/coaching needs to change mentality if they want any kind of successful young players on the team.

Oh ya, they don't! They'd rather have older players on the team and when they get young players, they'd better be 3rd or 4th line players because top 6 is for vets!

[Bootsy]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Be careful of going against the accepted opinion on Calgary Puck. I was called a liar for stating a similar remembered opinion about St. Louis and had my posts deleted along with a few others.

The thing is he was a bit of a favorite of Al Coates, not that Coates did a great job, but he pursued signing him to an NHL contract from an independent team in the International league. If Coates hadn't have been fired St. Louis may still be with us.

It wasn't just Coates , getting rid of St.Louis was a Button move he was advised against letting him go by many in the Saint John brass too, he just refused to listen.

[stignasty]

Calgary Flames ‏@NHLFlames "I want him to have fun again, I want him on top of his game and I want him in every situation." - Feaster on Sven ~ http://cflam.es/13O8cXL