Flames assign Sven Baertschi to the Heat

[joejoe3]

tl;dr

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Look at Lee Stempniak. Is Stempniak an all-star? No. Is he consistent? Yes. Do you notice him doing things well in all three zones most of the time? Yes. Does he single-handedly win you games? No.

Baertschi has a high ceiling. But his main issues are seemingly inconsistency and confidence, and they're probably inter-twined. Let him light up the AHL for a bit and get his swagger back.

Slightly off topic but I think consistency is the one thing missing from Stemps game that has kept him from being a 30/30 guy in this league. He works hard, he skates hard, he can hit and play in all situations but if he could put the puck in on a consistent basis I think he jumps into the next tier of players in the league.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Slightly off topic but I think consistency is the one thing missing from Stemps game that has kept him from being a 30/30 guy in this league. He works hard, he skates hard, he can hit and play in all situations but if he could put the puck in on a consistent basis I think he jumps into the next tier of players in the league.

I think by consistency he just means consistent work ethic. There is a whole class of players like Stempniak that are skilled but streaky forwards, but are still effective when not scoring. It's pretty much the bare minimum for being a long-term top-9 forward in the NHL.

[c.t.ner]

Comments From Sven on him joinging the Heat

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=696220

"I'm just trying to focus on the team here," said Baertschi, speaking to the media for the first time since being sent down.

"I see some new guys and, you know, they've been winning. I want to try and get into a mental state that can help the team, so for me it's important to stay positive and do what I do out there. I don't want to change anything, I just want to play."

"It's awesome. That was the part that was exciting about it. If you come into a team which is not successful then it's a little more difficult. Coming to a team that's really got going this year, that have been playing really outstanding - I've been watching highlights and I've been studying them too, so that was important for me because now, for me, it's much easier to make the transition."

[Yamer]

If he has a bad attitude he sure hides it well.

[FBI]

I bet he can't wait until Hartley is gone in the offseason. I fully expect him to do a 180 and make some great impressions with the new coach.

[herashak]

why hate hartley, baertschi isnt an NHLer right now.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by herashak

why hate hartley, baertschi isnt an NHLer right now.

There is a difference of opinion on that. Both with us fans and those within the organisation.

[Drury18]

"I see some new guys and, you know, they've been winning. I want to try and get into a mental state that can help the team, so for me it's important to stay positive and do what I do out there. I don't want to change anything, I just want to play."

I'm sure that's exactly what the Flames management wants to hear Sven....

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by RyZ

There is a difference of opinion on that. Both with us fans and those within the organisation.

Obviously with the fans, but I don't remember reading about differing opinions in the organization. Was this part of the Feaster fallout?

[Big_BC_FlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Drury18

I'm sure that's exactly what the Flames management wants to hear Sven....

That may be in reference to the teams play not his own...meaning he does not want to mess with the teams chemistry...maybe....probably.....

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Drury18

I'm sure that's exactly what the Flames management wants to hear Sven....

In the context of the quote I think he's saying he doesn't want to change anything about how the Heat are playing. I don't think he's saying he doesn't want to change anything about his game.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Ever since I first saw Sven in the NHL, the most comparable player that I could think of was Martin Havlat. An extremely talented, but not particularly physical, European winger who makes things happen through his speed, hard work, and fancy moves. Havlat is a lot bigger, but you generally wouldn't know that from watching him play.

And after everything I've seen from him so far, I'd say that comparison still holds.

That might be a big disappointment for those who were expecting Guy Lafleur or Marcel Dionne.

But if you think a guy who produces 30 goals and a Point-Per-Game in his prime is disappointing, you might want to consider getting help for you Kool-Aid addiction.

[Soliak]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Ever since I first saw Sven in the NHL, the most comparable player that I could think of was Martin Havlat. An extremely talented, but not particularly physical, European winger who makes things happen through his speed, hard work, and fancy moves. Havlat is a lot bigger, but you generally wouldn't know that from watching him play.

And after everything I've seen from him so far, I'd say that comparison still holds.

That might be a big disappointment for those who were expecting Guy Lafleur or Marcel Dionne.

But if you think a guy who produces 30 goals and a Point-Per-Game in his prime is disappointing, you might want to consider getting help for you Kool-Aid addiction.

What has really surprised me is his lack of speed. He has been pretty damn slow this year.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Soliak

What has really surprised me is his lack of speed. He has been pretty damn slow this year.

This is an issue with all of our smaller players.

Cammy, Hudler, Sven, etc are all smaller players but none of them are overly quick. It's not that they are slow, but they aren't exactly speed demons.

Think that is why Byron has helped out, the team needed that speed in the lineup to help push back other teams d.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Drury18

I'm sure that's exactly what the Flames management wants to hear Sven....

As a Swiss English is probably his fourth language, cut the guy some slack.

That comment of his could be interpreted as Abby doesn't need to change anything to fit him in, he just wants to play where they put him. Which would suggest humility rather than hubris.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

As a Swiss English is probably his fourth language, cut the guy some slack.

That comment of his could be interpreted as Abby doesn't need to change anything to fit him in, he just wants to play where they put him. Which would suggest humility rather than hubris.

I agree with the second part of you post.

But he has been here since 2010-11 season and every Swiss person I met while in Switzerland had no trouble with English. Them Swiss be smart people.

[Soliak]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

This is an issue with all of our smaller players.

Cammy, Hudler, Sven, etc are all smaller players but none of them are overly quick. It's not that they are slow, but they aren't exactly speed demons.

Think that is why Byron has helped out, the team needed that speed in the lineup to help push back other teams d.

I feel if Sven had Byrons speed he would be infinitely better. Instead he tries to go around the defender on the outside over and over again, gets man handled and loses the puck. Bouma and Galiardi all seem significantly faster than Sven. Maybe it's because he isn't getting enough room to show his speed, maybe not.

[J epworth]

Maybe instead of us speculating on what Baertschi meant when he said that, PMM could pitch in and say his thoughts, I mean it was him who interviewed Baertschi in the first place!

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by FBI

I bet he can't wait until Hartley is gone in the offseason. I fully expect him to do a 180 and make some great impressions with the new coach.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the context but if a 180 is required maybe he should go ahead and do that right now.