Flames assign Sven Baertschi to the Heat

[Fan in Exile]

I don't understand people saying Sven isn't ready, is not competitive, and is getting pushed around. He is good enough to be playing with the Flames as a rookie. Not sure what you expect in terms of offensive output for a (semi) rookie but a forty point pace is better than most of NHL players in their first and second years. He's a good player for his age and experience level. That doesn't mean he can't or won't get better and doesn't mean he NEEDS to go to the AHL. At the same time, I hope Sven takes it well and makes the most of it. As true as it is that many NHLers weren't as good as he is as a first/second year player, there have also been better players than him that paid more dues in the NHL.

[Psytic]

[getbak]

He's still a young player who can benefit from the development experience. Granlund, Wotherspoon, and Sieloff are the only players on the Heat roster who are younger than Sven.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

And maybe he does. But I don't think its an automatic thing.

Hard to say, Burke can be pretty blunt if he wants to do something. Feaster and Weisbrod are fired the same day Sven is sent down? That's a pretty big statement. Going to be very hard for Sven to come back up unless he plays Burke's kind of hockey.

nm
^ read the rest of your post pretty much agree with everything you said.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Best move for Baertschi. He simply is not ready for the NHL - whether that is physically or mentally, it just isn't there yet, and he just starts looking like a kid that is being 'rushed' at times. Abby will be a great place for him to develop.

The ONLY thing negative about this revolves around who's ice-time is going to get cut on the Heat. Nobody there is undeserving of their ice it seems, and you already have a few guys playing less than adequate minutes. I remember Ward talking about how he has to find a way to get Granlund more ice. Really adds to what is a top 3 team in the AHL (being 1st in points notwithstanding).

Really interesting if true that Hartley was forced to keep him up on the team. Wasn't that something that Feaster stated was NOT happening with Brent? Why make it happen with Hartley? Let's see how Hartley does without any constraints (if this was indeed true that Burke somewhat was alluding to). Burke seems to like Hartley - but he seemed to also have liked Feaster. You have to figure that the Hartley watch is on, and the new GM will probably be encouraged to explore options at hiring his own coaching staff (though I like Hartley, and think he has done a fine job thus far, though it seems fairly mixed on this forum).

Some interesting points here, maybe Burke wants Hartley to have the right mix of players. We may still see some player changes yet.

[cannon7]

Fire Burke! Predictable loudmouthed ######.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Psytic

What happens if he does trade him in a package and we get a bigger more physical skilled player? Its not necessarily a bad thing or a downgrade if Sven gets moved.

Yeah, maybe we can score a Kassian for Hodgson deal in our quest to become bigger and more truculent!

In all fairness, I don't think it should be inconceivable but Burke's belief that impatience is a virtue is not a good thing with a young roster and bias for size over talent results in a lot of bad moves.

[Rerun]

About time. He just wasn't ready to play in the NHL. Best move for him, although right now he probably feels like ####.

Originally Posted by Rerun

Sigh..... There's going to be a lot of hand ringing, nashing of teeth, and moaning and groaning here if Wonder Boy gets sent to Abbotsford.

Frankly, its really amazing how many arm chair coaches here have such a different opinion of Sven than what Hartley and Burke do (who I might add probably have about 75 years experience between the two of them in professional hockey).

I'm surprised the Flames aren't knocking down your doors offering you jobs.

And that's a big screw you to everyone who piled on me because I stated that Sven just wasn't cutting it with the Flames this year and probably end up in Abbotsford.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

Yeah, maybe we can score a Kassian for Hodgson deal in our quest to become bigger and more truculent!

In all fairness, I don't think it should be inconceivable but Burke's belief that impatience is a virtue is not a good thing with a young roster and bias for size over talent results in a lot of bad moves.

But can we not trade for size and talent? Why is it small skilled or plug with you guys? We got Cammy, Stajan, Stemp, Backs and Sven. You would think a mix of these guys and a pick could land a pretty good prospect.

[hayduke's dad]

Nothing wrong with this move. He needs to play 15 minutes a game plus to gain experience. He doesn't deserve that ice time in the NHL. He is a kid playing against men and just can't compete at the NHL level.

Theo spent some time in the AHL gained confidence and then looked what happened. He is no Theo Fleury but nothing wrong getting experience. Look how much better Paul Byron looks this time around.

Maybe Butler can go to the AHL for 3-4 years

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Psytic

But can we not trade for size and talent? Why is it small skilled or plug with you guys? We got Cammy, Stajan, Stemp, Backs and Sven. You would think a mix of these guys and a pick could land a pretty good prospect.

No kidding, does everyone already forget Iggy when he was in his prime? It's possible to be skilled AND tough. You don't have to be able to crush skulls, but you have to be able to win battles

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Psytic

But can we not trade for size and talent? Why is it small skilled or plug with you guys? We got Cammy, Stajan, Stemp, Backs and Sven. You would think a mix of these guys and a pick could land a pretty good prospect.

Yes, but I think you should look at moving the first three on the list before the second two. I think you also look to find/develop big guys with skill in the draft. There tends to be heavy overpayment for truculent vets with a little skill - Clarkson and Clowe being recent examples.

[Husky]

And yet Burke's boy Coulbourne gets a free pass.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Husky

And yet Burke's boy Coulbourne gets a free pass.

Colborne has to clear waivers to be sent down, and I seriously doubt he would clear.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

Yes, but I think you should look at moving the first three on the list before the second two. I think you also look to find/develop big guys with skill in the draft. There tends to be heavy overpayment for truculent vets with a little skill - Clarkson and Clowe being recent examples.

I agree with what you're saying but we can still trade Sven and who ever else for prospects that check both boxes is my point, its not dooms day if he gets moved. FA's and drafting is a whole different topic (that I agree with you on).

[cannon7]

Yes, yes -- well done Burke. Make your mind up about a player after a couple preseason games, blurt your hasty opinion to the media and pull that trigger the moment you got the chance.

Guess they can't all be Colbornes...

While you're at it, why not appoint yourself Flames GM for Life(tm).

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Psytic

But can we not trade for size and talent? Why is it small skilled or plug with you guys? We got Cammy, Stajan, Stemp, Backs and Sven. You would think a mix of these guys and a pick could land a pretty good prospect.

Players with size AND talent are very expensive to acquire. That is why you often see some exceptionally skilled prospects being available in the latter rounds who aren't very big (i.e. Gaudreau in the 4th, Petan in the early 2nd when he supposedly also had top 5 talent).

However, trading Sven now leaves a whole. While I personally don't think Sven is quite ready for the NHL full-time, I do think he is a blue-chip prospect that will do quite well in the NHL. A rebuilding team needs to keep adding blue-chippers first. If they have a few too many (or too many in one position), I think that is when organizationally you try and make those 'hockey deals' sending out a good player/prospect for a good player/prospect.

I do understand what you are saying, however. Just doesn't make sense to do so right now. Also, if you were the GM of another team, why would you trade away your big and skilled player for a player that was just skilled (even if the skill was a bit higher?). You are going to end up trading some skill for some size, and the Flames just don't have enough skill in the prospect pool yet to make that move (IMO). Sure, if a GM got stupid and wanted to trade a Nichushkin for Baertschi (a move I would make), then sure. Or a Barkov for Baerstchi. That is just not going to happen though.

[DiracSpike]

Eff, watching Sven and monahan are the only reasons I go to the games, so obviously tonight's the game I have tix for. Go Joe Colborne I guess...

[Husky]

11 points in 26 games playing limited PP time and little top 6 time consistently through the year....

Not sure how that is considered bad offense. Im tired of the "every player has to be a 2 way player". If a player is gifted offensively, give him PP time and let him run in the top 6.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Rerun

About time. He just wasn't ready to play in the NHL. Best move for him, although right now he probably feels like ####.





And that's a big screw you to everyone who piled on me because I stated that Sven just wasn't cutting it with the Flames this year and probably end up in Abbotsford.

Great. Have you told Burke about your Cammy for Drouin deal? Better act quick because Stamkos is only injured for another month or two...