Smarten Up Hartley....Play Baertschi!

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

So sick of fans defending the Flames organization with "Theo Fleury played 4th line and turned out okay" or "he needs to earn his ice time".

We have by far the weakest development system in the NHL. 3 or 4 draft picks playing for the Flames is cause for concern. Baertschi is not being put in a position to succeed.

Atleast compare apples to apples with respect to then and now. When Theo was 4th line we had Loob, Nieuwy, Roberts, Mullen, Gilmour, etc.... Now we have Iggy possibly when you look at those players stats then. A big difference none the less in depth and accumulation of talent then versus now.

It's the same as saying though throw him on the ice with Iggy because it worked with Sakic and Hejduk. Excepting the Avalanche then had a 1A line of Forsberg and Tanguay. The Flames honestly aren't that deep right now. Right now Iggy wherever he is draws the most attention because really what else does the other team need to worry about.

I agree he needs minutes, but they also need to be coachable minutes.

[FlamesPuck12]

I don't understand why Sven should be getting more minutes given his performance. I like watching Baertschi as well but he has 0 points in the last 7 games, with over 70 minutes of TOI. If we're trying to win games here, what exactly has he done that would merit more minutes in tight games?

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

I don't understand why Sven should be getting more minutes given his performance. I like watching Baertschi as well but he has 0 points in the last 7 games, with over 70 minutes of TOI. If we're trying to win games here, what exactly has he done that would merit more minutes in tight games?

Wouldn't have anything to do with Sven playing on a checking line with mostly grinders. Nope nothing at all.

[Igottago]

I'm all for patience with younger players but with a guy like Sven I basically give him free reign to rack up points for a while. Put him with good linemates and help him get his offensive confidence in the NHL. You see young guys tearing up this league every year now, no reason Sven can't do that. Let him start believing he is an elite NHL talent and he'll become one.

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by Kaine

Wouldn't have anything to do with Sven playing on a checking line with mostly grinders. Nope nothing at all.

I'm sure you can say the same thing with any players on the team. Of course Begin or Jackman can pick up points if we put them on during PP or on the first line. Sven has to work with what he's got, and he's getting his fair share of minutes based on his performance.

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

I'm sure you can say the same thing with any players on the team. Of course Begin or Jackman can pick up points if we put them on during PP or on the first line. Sven has to work with what he's got, and he's getting his fair share of minutes based on his performance.

I was going to make a reply but honestly if this is how you see things I don't think there is anything I can say that would add anything to the conversation. I think you are completely out to lunch if this is how you see things.

[MissTeeks]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=657870

Sven Baertschi has played three games since returning to the lineup from a hip flexor injury and the rookie is feeling very comfortable thus far.
"It's been great," he told CalgaryFlames.com. "I did a lot of conditioning before I got back so my body feels good. It feels like I've got a lot of air - I'm not really gassed out there. I feel really good."

One thing that has been very apparent since his return is Baertschi's willingness to play a more physical game. He spent a ton of time in the gym while he was recovering, working on improving his upper body strength. He's been battling along the boards, playing in the tough areas and finishing his checks in an effort to improve his overall play.
"I want to get some respect in the league," he stated. "Show that I've got some weight too and I can throw it around out there.
"I'm not going out there with my goal being to make hits but there are certain situations where you have to."

Baertschi has spent the bulk of his time on a line with Jiri Hudler since his return. Playing alongside the veteran has been a great experience for the 20 year-old and he's soaking up as much as he can from the Czech winger.
"He's a really smart player. There is a lot of things I can learn from him. I think to play with him is a gift. I'm really excited about it.
"He finds all the players out there and for me the key is get open, let him do his thing and the puck will always come to you. You don't have to be too worried in any situation, just let him do his thing."

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by Kaine

I was going to make a reply but honestly if this is how you see things I don't think there is anything I can say that would add anything to the conversation. I think you are completely out to lunch if this is how you see things.

If the Flames are in a tight game and we get a PP, I would much rather have guys like Tanguay, Iginla, Cammy, Hudler before Baertschi. Should the Flames potentially lose the game just so that Baertschi can pick up his first point of the year?

[Macho0978]

I believe that short term pain will be long term gain with Sven. He may not deserve more ice time now but if he gets a chance as the season goes along he will make more and more of an impact. I don't care if it costs us a playoff spot either. If we want to turn this around without a rebuild we need Sven to produce big points next season. Opens up an opportunity to trade a quality winger to free cap space if he produces

[Sakari]

100 dollars says he's not in the next shootout we play, unless it goes past 3 rounds. Which is very unlikely. And he's probably the best shootout man on the team aside from Tanguay.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=657870

Ha the Flames PR team sure works fast.

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

If the Flames are in a tight game and we get a PP, I would much rather have guys like Tanguay, Iginla, Cammy, Hudler before Baertschi. Should the Flames potentially lose the game just so that Baertschi can pick up his first point of the year?

You do realize we play more than 4 forwards on the PP right? Or we should be at least. That's your first PP unit then, who makes up the second? Jackman maybe? I'm done discussing this with you, it appears we do not see eye to eye on this, heck I think you are bonkers but you know what they say about opinions. Let's just agree to disagree.

Besides, how good has our PP been the last while now? Usually when it's this bad you mix it up, you know put some skilled shooters out there, try something different. That sort of thing. Just saying...

[puckluck2]

Plays great in the first, picks up a great assist and then gets 3 minutes of ice time.

[rayne008]

Has the reasoning for Sven's ice time ever been explained? He was flying out there in the 1st generating chances, hardly have seen him in the 3rd. Heard Begin's name a lot though.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by rayne008

Has the reasoning for Sven's ice time ever been explained? He was flying out there in the 1st generating chances, hardly have seen him in the 3rd. Heard Begin's name a lot though.

Jones' goal happened because he got outbattled physically twice in a row by Jones himself. I like Baertschi, but his defensive game needs work and he is pushed off his feet an awful lot. He still needs to get stronger.

[Joborule]

Baertschi played better today.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by rayne008

Has the reasoning for Sven's ice time ever been explained? He was flying out there in the 1st generating chances, hardly have seen him in the 3rd. Heard Begin's name a lot though.

Maybe he's still being protected coming back from injury.

[orr444]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

Yeah ...Sven needs more minutes.

I remember something funny about Phaneuf's 1st year here......He seemed to stay out on purpose and I remember him getting every opportunity to stay out on teh ice.

Call me nuts but Id swear he was logging some serious time out there ...even double shifted perhaps.

I wish Hartley would put him with skill as well instead of wasting time with Coma and whatever other scrub

I totally agree, Hartley is saying some strange things, but then we see Comeau, or Glencross who I might add is playing kind of lazy this year, getting minutes that I don't think they necessarily deserve.

Give some other guys with skill a chance and see what there energy brings

[T@T]

Originally Posted by FlamesPuck12

I don't understand why Sven should be getting more minutes given his performance. I like watching Baertschi as well but he has 0 points in the last 7 games, with over 70 minutes of TOI. If we're trying to win games here, what exactly has he done that would merit more minutes in tight games?

Let me guess, your from England,you love "football" and just started watching this fine game called "ice hockey"

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Plays great in the first, picks up a great assist and then gets 3 minutes of ice time.

No surprise after a strong period the team completely stopped playing. I simply don't understand when a line is flying like that one was in the first period that you would just shut them down for the rest of the game. Hartley really needs to learn how to manage his bench better as it's been absolutely terrible.