Sven "Fricken" Bartschi!

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

If he has a Dion Phaneuf-like rookie year, I'll be ecstatic.

I think his point production will largely determine who he plays with. If he plays with Cammalleri, he could very well have 40 points or more. He might be the perfect playmaker for Squid.

Expectations aside, this kid has been fun to watch in his junior career.

Sven-Backlund-Cammalleri might be an interesting combination. At the same time, I'm not sure what to expect out of Backlund after last year. I really thought he would break out with at least 30-40 points, so I'm cautiously optimistic he can make some improvements this year.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Maybe a Martin Erat type with a bit more offensive punch?

I agree with you I think Sven will be a stud. The guy has all the tools, including the effort (which is probably the most important one).

Its his effort and attitude that has me believe he's a can't-miss prospect.

The kid plays the game with speed, skill and smarts...and looks like he has nothing but fun doing it.

Of course anything can happen, I just see the odds being more in his favor than with most mid-to-late 1st round picks.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I'm not sure if it does are not, but there's been countless NHL players throuhout the years withg much higher expectations than Sven that turned out just fine... Besides, I'm just being honest with what I believe...I'm not going to lie because Sven might find out and get nervous or something... This whole thing is stupid, it reminds me of people getting mad when saying the word 'shut-out'.

I think Sven is going to be a PPG player in the NHL, and will go down as Top 5 or better in his draft class...what's wrong with that?

Nobody is saying careful Sven might find out. We are simply saying that if he puts up 30 points (realistic) that the fans base doesn't turn on him in disappointment.

Happened to Backlund. Nothing wrong with him as a player. He just hasn't met fans expectations.

And we don't mean you will turn on him. Just saying people like you have built up so much has hype he may not be able to meet it.

Even Sven was trying to manage people's expectations in his last interview.

I am just trying to combat the hype with realistic expectations.

[PlayfulGenius]

I don't necessarily expect Sven to get more than 30pts this coming season... 15g and 15a would be great...I think he'll be able to get that to 35g and 40a as he progresses, though.

[PlayfulGenius]

Anyway, its just my opinion and my prediction...not too sure why people have an issue with that, that's fine though...I guess I just don't agree that my prediction has any impact on his performance.

[dammage79]

Sven should be able to manage 25 goals this upcoming season. Id almost bet money he will be the second line lw with Cammalleri on the rw. Im going to leave the C position open as I believe a move will be made for Roy or a similar facsimile. But as long as Sven is utilized properly he will have a Calder worthy season.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

In this thread and others, its been mentioned that my expectations are unrealistic and putting undue pressure on the kid...my god, however did Crosby manage???

Anyway, one thing we can all agree on is it'll be fun watching Sven this coming season...hopefully he stays healthy and makes a lot of progress

Never underestimate CalPuck during the 3rd straight off-season following no playoff games.

[Ashasx]

Sven is currently 93 overall in my NHL 12 Be a GM, and is fresh off a 96 point season and a 30 point outing in the playoffs where he won the Conn Smythe. This was the 13/14 season.

A sign of things to come, I think.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Sven is currently 93 overall in my NHL 12 Be a GM, and is fresh off a 96 point season and a 30 point outing in the playoffs where he won the Conn Smythe. This was the 13/14 season.

A sign of things to come, I think.

Did you put him in yourself?

93 is silly high, of course he's going to get a billion points. He's better in his rookie year then like 80% of the established forwards in the NHL.

[Freeway]

The single best trait Sven has is that he's a sponge. And a very nice kid. His teammates will want to help him improve and he's going to be considerably better in December than he is in October. He's probably gonna get better after every practice and every game.

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sven should be able to manage 25 goals this upcoming season. Id almost bet money he will be the second line lw with Cammalleri on the rw. Im going to leave the C position open as I believe a move will be made for Roy or a similar facsimile. But as long as Sven is utilized properly he will have a Calder worthy season.

What would we call this line? Road kill? That is a pretty diminutive line...

[Imported_Aussie]

I would like to see Sven make the team on a young 3rd line:

Baertschi - Horak/Backlund - Nemisz

I think Baertschi played great with Nemisz before and those two compliment each other so well - one strong down low, one finding open ice. Also does not put the pressure on Sven to be a go to scorer on the 2nd line - let him have 2nd unit PP time, but not fulltime 2nd line duties.

If it were up to me, both Baertschi and Nemisz make the team, are roomed together on the road, and looked at as two guys who will play together long term.

Tanguay - Cervenka - Iginla
Cammalleri - Stajan - Glencross
Baertschi - Backlund/Horak - Nemisz
Bouma - Jones - Jackman

Ideally, I would like to see Stajan moved on - a dream deal would be packaging Stajan + Backlund/Horak + another piece for a centre who can play the top line, allowing Cervenka to start on the 2nd line, but as for fit, I think Stajan would play best with Glencross and Cammalleri.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

What would we call this line? Road kill? That is a pretty diminutive line...

Yes that line would appear to be diminutive from a checking standpoint, but the line would be an overwhelming skill line. Its not like any of those players dont know How to dig a puck out of a corner or shy away from doing so either. And all three players have shown they can be responsible defensively as well.

[Bertuzzied]

How high would Sven have gone in this year's draft? top 3?

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

How high would Sven have gone in this year's draft? top 3?

I would guess 5.

RNH
Landeskog
Huberdeu
Hamilton
Baertschi

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by DropIt

I would guess 5.

RNH
Landeskog
Huberdeu
Hamilton
Baertschi

Larsson? Couturier? Zibanejad?
That puts him at 8th at best

[Kipperking]

RNH
Landeskog
Huberdeau
Hamilton
Larsson
Couturier
Baertschi
Zibanejad

[dammage79]

I wonder if he meant this upcoming draft. If that was the case, after the season he had I would certainly put him in the top three.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I wonder if he meant this upcoming draft. If that was the case, after the season he had I would certainly put him in the top three.

Yeah, but he's almost 2 years older than some kids in this draft so it's not really a fair comparison...

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Kipperking

RNH
Landeskog
Huberdeau
Hamilton
Larsson
Couturier
Baertschi
Zibanejad

Good list. Many of the guys ahead of Sven are there because they had exellent rookie seasons at the NHL level. Sven will need to accomplish something at the NHL level to move into the top 5.