Sven "Fricken" Bartschi!

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

What!?!!?!!?!?
1) I am not versed on the CBA - some posters are saying if we had 49 contracts we could infact (I assume sign him?) and keep him here from now til our season/hopefully post-season ends? (hence wishing we had 49, not 50 contracts in-house).
2) We are in agreement, that even Sven our lord and saviour still ages? If he's not aging and infact immortal then we are not wasting his NHL career by letting him to return to Portland - I apologize. On a team that spends to cap every year, a team that pays J-bo 6.68M/ Stajan 3.5M / Comeau 2.5/ etc etc, why would I care if someones eligibilty comes 1 year sooner? lol? If your telling me as I think you are, that he, by staying up now (when we need him more than ever) is going to cost us 1 whole season sooner, a whopping 3,4,5 million more than he would make, where is my cheque book??

Seriously guys?? if the drawback is paying him real money 1 year earlier than projected, but were getting this kind of performance from him down the stretch and hopefully into the post-season... I dont know where your heads are, truly.

The only thing going to waste is talent that would be better served playing in the big league vs. tearing up a boys league.

Shame on you CP, so easily apologetic to players like CT, like Backs etc. that havent shown a thing in a flames jersey, but when real talent appears (nm actually backs it up with important goals in important games) you discount it and instead pretend to worry about the "overall state of this franchise"...Iggy and Kipper are real and there here now...this maybe their final hours, this is when you pull out the stops.

WTF don't you understand about this???? The only reason the NHL allows him to be here is on an injury emergency basis. The second enough injured players come back he MUST go back to Portland.

If Portland's season ends early and Calgary's end late then and only then it's allowable for him to come back, but since he would be contract 51 that would not be allowed. These are all rules. The ELC debate is strictly theoretical.

Please give it a rest

[HELPNEEDED]

I know it does'nt mean much with 4games played but he's #2 for goals per game.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.h...viewName=goals

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

I know it does'nt mean much with 4games played but he's #2 for goals per game.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.h...viewName=goals

That's not too bad

[kirant]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

I know it does'nt mean much with 4games played but he's #2 for goals per game.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.h...viewName=goals

You mean tied for first

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

What!?!!?!!?!?
1) I am not versed on the CBA - some posters are saying if we had 49 contracts we could infact (I assume sign him?) and keep him here from now til our season/hopefully post-season ends? (hence wishing we had 49, not 50 contracts in-house).
2) We are in agreement, that even Sven our lord and saviour still ages? If he's not aging and infact immortal then we are not wasting his NHL career by letting him to return to Portland - I apologize. On a team that spends to cap every year, a team that pays J-bo 6.68M/ Stajan 3.5M / Comeau 2.5/ etc etc, why would I care if someones eligibilty comes 1 year sooner? lol? If your telling me as I think you are, that he, by staying up now (when we need him more than ever) is going to cost us 1 whole season sooner, a whopping 3,4,5 million more than he would make, where is my cheque book??

Seriously guys?? if the drawback is paying him real money 1 year earlier than projected, but were getting this kind of performance from him down the stretch and hopefully into the post-season... I dont know where your heads are, truly.

The only thing going to waste is talent that would be better served playing in the big league vs. tearing up a boys league.

Shame on you CP, so easily apologetic to players like CT, like Backs etc. that havent shown a thing in a flames jersey, but when real talent appears (nm actually backs it up with important goals in important games) you discount it and instead pretend to worry about the "overall state of this franchise"...Iggy and Kipper are real and there here now...this maybe their final hours, this is when you pull out the stops.

Alright, I'm willing to give all your moronic posts a pass if you actually step up to the plate on the bolded claim there.

You head down to the Dome, hand the Flames a cheque for $3-4mil and everyone on this board will bow down to you and your wonderful insights.

Deal?

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by edslunch

What's your problem? Did he crush your dreams?

Backlund may not turn out to be what many hope but he's still a decent, cheapish, young player....something we need more of not less. What's wrong with that???

This isnt the Michael Freakin Backlund Thread, but I'll bite. I know CP loves this guy, from the off-seaon threads of him hitting 50-60 pts this year (80% thought so on a CP poll), to early season reviews of how Iggy and Tanguay were holding him down...lol, to threads about how his life-threatening finger injury has really hindered his play... its unbelievable.

CP loves its first overall picks, nm that we havent had one of impact in 15 years,or that Feaster put 2 on the unemployment line earlier this season, or the fact that the one who has actually come up and produced, is being pushed away so we can save 3M down the road somewhere for all of one whole entire season. Backlund is a soft, very one dimensional player and thats fine if he's putting pucks in the net or setting up players to put the puck in the net, but he isnt. he has no other assets people, he's bad in the dot, he's not hard on the puck, he isn't going to the corners... he is meant/designed/limited to scoring. He's performed so poorly in many peoples eyes (outside of CP of course) that many are saying next year is probably his last as a flame, unless we see a major upswing in his play... I am entitled to my opinion, I have seen literally nothing that tells me we will see any increase in anything from him next year. Take my number, come get me when I'm wrong. If im wrong.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

We are in agreement, that even Sven our lord and saviour still ages? If he's not aging and infact immortal then we are not wasting his NHL career by letting him to return to Portland - I apologize.

I don't think I quite understand this. Ar you actually suggesting that the Flames would be better off keeping Baertschi in the lineup because he is aging??? Unreal.

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

On a team that spends to cap every year, a team that pays J-bo 6.68M/ Stajan 3.5M / Comeau 2.5/ etc etc, why would I care if someones eligibilty comes 1 year sooner? lol? If your telling me as I think you are, that he, by staying up now (when we need him more than ever) is going to cost us 1 whole season sooner, a whopping 3,4,5 million more than he would make, where is my cheque book??

It is not just that it will cost more money one season sooner, it is that it will cost a lot more money in a year in which Baertschi will likely be producing at a higher rate than he is now. You are basically sacrificing a full year of a 22-year-old player with two full year's NHL experience for a few games of a 19-year-old player with none. How can you think that this is a good trade-off?

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Seriously guys?? if the drawback is paying him real money 1 year earlier than projected, but were getting this kind of performance from him down the stretch and hopefully into the post-season... I dont know where your heads are, truly.

Some of us are thinking about the health of this franchise beyond the next two weeks or a month, and Baertschi is very much a big part of that future. I understand that you crave immediate returns, but patient investment usually results in a much higher yield in the future. This is what the Flames are doing: Planning long-term and factoring Baertschi into that plan.

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

The only thing going to waste is talent that would be better served playing in the big league vs. tearing up a boys league.

You make it sound as though Baertschi's skills are suddenly going to dry up as a result of playing in the WHL playoffs. Waste? There is nothing "wasted" here. He is not suddenly going to start running down or diminishing over the summer. Relax.

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Shame on you CP, so easily apologetic to players like CT, like Backs etc. that havent shown a thing in a flames jersey, but when real talent appears (nm actually backs it up with important goals in important games) you discount it and instead pretend to worry about the "overall state of this franchise"...Iggy and Kipper are real and there here now...this maybe their final hours, this is when you pull out the stops.

Shame on you for setting your expectations for young players and for the franchise so outrageously high that as soon as someone falters, they are suddenly disposable.

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

What!?!!?!!?!?
1) I am not versed on the CBA - some posters are saying if we had 49 contracts we could infact (I assume sign him?) and keep him here from now til our season/hopefully post-season ends? (hence wishing we had 49, not 50 contracts in-house).
2) We are in agreement, that even Sven our lord and saviour still ages? If he's not aging and infact immortal then we are not wasting his NHL career by letting him to return to Portland - I apologize. On a team that spends to cap every year, a team that pays J-bo 6.68M/ Stajan 3.5M / Comeau 2.5/ etc etc, why would I care if someones eligibilty comes 1 year sooner? lol? If your telling me as I think you are, that he, by staying up now (when we need him more than ever) is going to cost us 1 whole season sooner, a whopping 3,4,5 million more than he would make, where is my cheque book??

Seriously guys?? if the drawback is paying him real money 1 year earlier than projected, but were getting this kind of performance from him down the stretch and hopefully into the post-season... I dont know where your heads are, truly.

The only thing going to waste is talent that would be better served playing in the big league vs. tearing up a boys league.

Shame on you CP, so easily apologetic to players like CT, like Backs etc. that havent shown a thing in a flames jersey, but when real talent appears (nm actually backs it up with important goals in important games) you discount it and instead pretend to worry about the "overall state of this franchise"...Iggy and Kipper are real and there here now...this maybe their final hours, this is when you pull out the stops.

If you'd take a little time and pay attention to the 50 or 60 times it's been explained already, you'd already know this, but here goes.

1. Baertchi is on an emergency recall (our 3rd one at this point in fact). As soon as one more forward is healthy he must be returned due to the CBA and the CHL transfer agreement. However, if for some reason the Flames forwards keep getting injured and we never end up getting at least 1 net healthy forward back, then he could stay until the point in time that 1 net healthy forward does come back. If that's the case until the end of the season, he could stay. However, for him to play more than 9 games regardless of the injury situation, the Flames would have get rid of a contract and burn the 1st year of his ELC.

2. We are not wasting his career by letting him play in Portland in any way. Here's why.
a. Since he's only 19, he's going to continue to get better. Even if he wins the Calder next year, he isn't likely to really come into his own until his 3rd NHL season and nobody should expect him to be a top end player in terms of points before his 4th. This is a recurring pattern for players that start in the NHL right out of Junior, regardless of their skill level.
b. As such, by not burning a year of his NHL deal, you can potentially have him on the team as a bargain in his final years. Having less money tied up in Sven at that point in time means we can spend on better depth and defence resulting in better results as a team.

Regarding Backlund, etc.
For the same reason as 2a, dumping Backlund now is the absolute worst time to do it. Next year will be his 3rd NHL season and should be the one where we can finally see what he's made of. He might not break out in his 3rd season to the same extent some players do, but it's reasonable to expect to see a solid progression next year(becoming a 35-40 point player instead of a 25 point one). If there isn't one, it's time for him to find a niche as shut down two-way bottom 6, face off winning Center or he won't stick around for long. However, you have to keep him around and give him chance to prove he belongs.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by edn88

Took me a second to see where he was coming from with 77...

While I like this idea... anyone know what number he wore growing up?

He's currently #27 in Portland, think I remember he was #15 for Switzerland in the WJs, #47 for the Flames currently (but all the rookies seem to start out with random higher numbers, it's the same one he wore at camp).

[blankall]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

Sorry, this is ridiculous. I know Backlund has had a disappointing season, but the rationale of dumping Backlund because we have Sven is ridiculous. Why not see what Backlund and Sven can do as a tandem.

From Sven's production in the Dub, it's clear that he makes players around him stronger, so why not pair him with Backlund for a full season. Backlund has the chops to be a strong centre in the NHL, there's no denying that. Maybe Sven is the catalyst to make him realize his potential. At least give them a year together and go from there. Dumping a highly talented prospect so we can get one highly talented prospect to play 10 games is absurd.

And people say Sutter was bad at asset management. wow.

Not to mention Backlund has been averaging just over 15:00 min/game in ice time. I think Stajan is proof of how hard it is to get points on this team when you only get 3rd and 4th line minutes.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by edslunch

WTF don't you understand about this???? The only reason the NHL allows him to be here is on an injury emergency basis. The second enough injured players come back he MUST go back to Portland.

If Portland's season ends early and Calgary's end late then and only then it's allowable for him to come back, but since he would be contract 51 that would not be allowed. These are all rules. The ELC debate is strictly theoretical.

Please give it a rest

Until the information is clearly stated, there should be no rest, my original post then stands: "never should we go over 49 contracts - but I'm happy to see Kolanos scoring goals for Abby"

[Notorious Honey Badger]

I was going to make a joke about Tanya Harding and who on CP can keep Sven up with the big club but it would likely result in an infraction.

[sevenarms]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

This isnt the Michael Freakin Backlund Thread, but I'll bite. I know CP loves this guy, from the off-seaon threads of him hitting 50-60 pts this year (80% thought so on a CP poll), to early season reviews of how Iggy and Tanguay were holding him down...lol, to threads about how his life-threatening finger injury has really hindered his play... its unbelievable.

CP loves its first overall picks, nm that we havent had one of impact in 15 years,or that Feaster put 2 on the unemployment line earlier this season, or the fact that the one who has actually come up and produced, is being pushed away so we can save 3M down the road somewhere for all of one whole entire season. Backlund is a soft, very one dimensional player and thats fine if he's putting pucks in the net or setting up players to put the puck in the net, but he isnt. he has no other assets people, he's bad in the dot, he's not hard on the puck, he isn't going to the corners... he is meant/designed/limited to scoring. He's performed so poorly in many peoples eyes (outside of CP of course) that many are saying next year is probably his last as a flame, unless we see a major upswing in his play... I am entitled to my opinion, I have seen literally nothing that tells me we will see any increase in anything from him next year. Take my number, come get me when I'm wrong. If im wrong.

Stop, just stop.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

...Backlund is a soft, very one dimensional player and thats fine if he's putting pucks in the net or setting up players to put the puck in the net, but he isnt. he has no other assets people, he's bad in the dot, he's not hard on the puck, he isn't going to the corners... he is meant/designed/limited to scoring. He's performed so poorly in many peoples eyes (outside of CP of course) that many are saying next year is probably his last as a flame, unless we see a major upswing in his play... I am entitled to my opinion, I have seen literally nothing that tells me we will see any increase in anything from him next year. Take my number, come get me when I'm wrong. If im wrong.

Who is saying these things? Backlund is in his second full NHL season, which he started six weeks late and amid a pretty bad slump for the team. I understand that in your world you expect ruthlessly immediate results, but in the real world there are circumstances in which those results are delayed. Backlund has had a bad year, and I don't think that anyone is disputing that. But it is one bad year for a 22-year-old second year player. It is absolutely not time to pull the chute, and anyone who suggests that Backlund is approaching his NHL expiration date simply has no idea what they are talking about.

[Hockeyguy15]

I guess no player ever has had a sophomore slump, Backlund is the first.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Until the information is clearly stated, there should be no rest, my original post then stands: "never should we go over 49 contracts - but I'm happy to see Kolanos scoring goals for Abby"

So will you rest now? It's been clearly stated at least a dozen times

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Icon

While I like this idea... anyone know what number he wore growing up?

He's currently #27 in Portland, think I remember he was #15 for Sweden in the WJs, #47 for the Flames currently (but all the rookies seem to start out with random higher numbers, it's the same one he wore at camp).

He's Swiss.

[Resolute 14]

Jarome Iginla was pretty terrible in his second full NHL season too. We should have cut him.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I guess no player ever has had a sophomore slump, Backlund is the first.

His 1st year was underwhelming. 2nd year was even worse. I don't call that a sophomore slump I call that a bust.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

He's Swiss.

Typo... was talking to someone about Hakan Loob calling in to the Fan 960 as I was typing that.