Burke Not Thrilled with Baertschi

[FlamesAddiction]

I don't get the impression that Baertschi's issue is a lack of confidence. If anything, he has seemed too comfortable and happy-go-lucky. Being a little goofy isn't a bad thing, but he needs to understand that as a professional, this is his job now and a job is never always 100% about having fun out there. He needs to do things he may not have wanted to.

I am glad that Burke called him out on it. I recall Brian Sutter doing a similar thing with Iginla and turned him around. Baertschi is at a critical point in his development right now and I think Burke has been around long enough to know what strings to pull with him.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by sworkhard

I'm surprised very few people are bringing Feaster's comments into this where he pretty much says that Sven is still learning how to prepare like a professional, but when he does he's a very effective player.

Also where Feaster addresses the expectation placed on Sven after his 5-game callup from junior. He was drafted to be a top 6 forward, he appeared after that to be a "franchise saviour", which has led to the media, the fanbase, the team, and Sven himself holding him to a higher standard and an advanced timetable

[OzSome]

you are making Burke's comment as a big deal. Translation : Baertschi is good offensively and needs work defensively and physically. He is not really slamming the kid. That was just his take and it doesn't mean we have to believe him on all hius assumptions. I do agree with Burke on this one. Baertschi shies away from physical game which is understandable because he is not big. He is also not good without the puck but with the puck he can do damage. I think he doesn't have the confidence he had while playing for Portland (WHL). The kid hasn't even played a full season in the NHL so he still have a lot of learning to do. I think Brian Burke is trying to light a fire on Sven's butt... meaning you might be skilled player but if you are not willing to work hard and learn more, you are not going anywhere in this league. I just hope Baerstchi answered back and prove Burke wrong on the ice this season.

[EYE_Overstand]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I guess some people need to read things twice.

i guess some people are more sensitive then others.

Sven is on his ELC. he is young, he makes 1.3 in the Big leagues... there are 3 zones on the ice. Burke is probably speaking candidly and not without having the same discussion with Hartley, Feaster, gelinas etc.

he is a high paid kid who was called out after having a very poor camp when he should have dominated. The big leagues is a team game and totally different then the dub.

I want Sven to succeed as much as the next man and to be our next P Kane/ Hossa... BUT after this training camp, and the comments about his penticton tourney ... i think he needs to step his game up.

[Locke]

Ultimately I think the issue boils down to this:

Baertschi 'fooled' around during pre-season.

That doesnt give management the best impression, but its a 2-way street.

Baertschi didnt take pre-season seriously as he has the idea that hes a lock. Guaranteed a spot. Hes wrong.

Management wanted more out of him but played him in dangerous situations. Why does Baertschi play against guys that know hes good and are looking to make a name for themselves and make an impression.

Both sides are wrong in this but management signs the cheques.

[BurningSteel]

Sven will be around the flames organization alot longer than burke will be.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by BurningSteel

Sven will be around the flames organization alot longer than burke will be.

Agreed, as long as the Flames don't baby him and let his pouting dictate what they do with him.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by EYE_Overstand

i guess some people are more sensitive then others.

Sven is on his ELC. he is young, he makes 1.3 in the Big leagues... there are 3 zones on the ice. Burke is probably speaking candidly and not without having the same discussion with Hartley, Feaster, gelinas etc.

he is a high paid kid who was called out after having a very poor camp when he should have dominated. The big leagues is a team game and totally different then the dub.

I want Sven to succeed as much as the next man and to be our next P Kane/ Hossa... BUT after this training camp, and the comments about his penticton tourney ... i think he needs to step his game up.

Besides, with all the concern people have about burning up ELC years... Sven's own performance is dictating that he be in line for one of those sought-after bridge contracts.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You don't go to Abbotsford and Troy Ward to get your confidence back...

You get a lot of ice time and good coaching that will help him develop the defensive side of his game. It won't be the end of the world if Sven was sent down.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Agreed, as long as the Flames don't baby him and let his pouting dictate what they do with him.

Again, how do you know Baertschi is pouting?

You always come into these threads and say these things.

It's not enough to say that he hasn't played well this pre-season, but now he's also prima donna, pouting, entitled child?

People can mock my posts all they want, but posts like yours are the reason why I come into these threads.

[EM11]

I think that it will light a fire under Baertschi and many others on the team. It's a breath of fresh air to hear some straight talk that signals high expectations.

[haiku]

burke with the flames: deft
motivator. with the leafs:
tubby mcblowhard

[The Fonz]

Was anybody thrilled with Baertschi's training camp/pre-season?

It was underwelming to say the least.

Burke's comments aren't out of line.

[Skaloper]

Originally Posted by EM11

I think that it will light a fire under Baertschi and many others on the team. It's a breath of fresh air to hear some straight talk that signals high expectations.

When is comes to Baertschi it comes down to confidence and if he is not playing well he should be in AHL until he can learn consistency.

If there are issues with his conditioning, work ethic and ability in all three zones that just means he needs more guidance and coaching rather than being publicly called out.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Again, how do you know Baertschi is pouting?

You always come into these threads and say these things.

It's not enough to say that he hasn't played well this pre-season, but now he's also prima donna, pouting, entitled child?

People can mock my posts all they want, but posts like yours are the reason why I come into these threads.

There are multiple reasons I feel he's pouting:

1. The way management is handling this indicates to me that they are dealing with a player that is not putting effort in and is not buying into having to put the effort in.

2. When Sven himself speaks, you can hear the frustration in his voice, the defensiveness about his play and how he's handling himself.

3. And this is the most important for me, and I've been trying to avoid posting it again because I know how it will be met by some, but I actually know he's pouting. I mentioned this in a thread a few weeks back discussing Sven, so I'll say it again: if the mods want me to say my source I will let them know via PM, and if they don't feel it's sufficient I will gladly remove this post (but I will not say who my source is publicly to protect their relationship). But I know someone who has a direct relationship with Sven. It's a professional relationship, not hockey or media related.

Sven is absolutely on full pout mode, and is furious with the Flames and has been since at least when they informed him he was going to need to attend rookie camp in Penticton. And not a "good" I'm pissed off I'll show them furious, a bad I'm upset and am now engaging in a battle of wills about where and when I'll put my effort in upset. He's made numerous comments to my friend about how he feels about it that as a Flames fan and someone who wants Sven to be good on this team I find very concerning.

Then as camp rolls along and you hear the comments from management it just adds further validation to the fears I had earlier in the year as I was starting to hear the things he was saying to my contact.

[HartAttack]

Originally Posted by EM11

I think that it will light a fire under Baertschi and many others on the team. It's a breath of fresh air to hear some straight talk that signals high expectations.

I believe there was a CP user with that name and was promptly banned from this site. If Flames fans on this board can't stand the straight talk, I'm not sure how the average fan & media are going to react if Burke keeps this type of banter going.

Saying that, I'm a huge fan of Burke, and straight talk. Baertschi needs to earn his money and ice time by working hard on his weaknesses and learning to be a professional.

[MolsonInBothHands]

Originally Posted by haiku

burke with the flames: deft
motivator. with the leafs:
tubby mcblowhard

I actually stared at that for a couple minutes, trying to figure out if it was a haiku.

[Locke]

I think we're all putting a little too much stock in the pre-season.

[browna]

Great, candid comments and exactly the persepctive that the executive of this franchise needs going forward to pull themselves out of the situation. Eye opening to those expecting all rookies to be coddled, at least in the public eye.

Not sending him on the first train out of town, but from what he knew before he got here about him, and now, seeing him in camp for three weeks, its a sobering assesment from a guy who won't sugar coat.

Feaster's comments playing the "good cop" are almost required, since Feaster fawned over him, calling Sven "untouchable" in April.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I think Burke has a great hockey mind but I hate the way he hurts his teams when he gets in front of a camera. The stuff he said about baertschi only puts more pressure on a kid who is already feeling too much pressure as is.

I don't believe these comments will hurt Baertschi. I get the impression he has been reading his own press clippings since he was drafted, even reading forum comments about what a star he's going to be. That kind of stuff can stunt a young player's growth as surely as a few harsh words from his boss.

When you're a pro athlete you have to learn to take the good with the bad. As great as it is when you're on top and everyone is saying how great you are, you will inevitably find the tables turned and those same people publicly criticizing you. It's all part of being a professional athlete.

Also, Brian Burke has been around long enough to know how this kind of stuff plays out. As much as people make him out to be a brash guy who shoots from the hip, I don't believe for a minute that anything he says in public is accidental.