Darren Haynes interview with Baertschi ...

[GioforPM]

Right, why wasn't in?
Better question: Why do you only care when it's Sven, instead of Byron or Jooris?

It never is those guys. It's always Sven.

I will list the examples after you deal with the substantive points - how 'bout that?

[nik-]

No you won't, you'll just keep dodging.

[GioforPM]

Dodging what? The examples? You really don't think some people started asking for Sven when guys went down?

I admit - it was probably more on the HF board than here. But some of the same posters.

Speaking of dodging - how about the actual things I said about the options the team has, and whether my preferred one is better or worse?

Or should we just discuss the definition of "demand" some more?

[DOOM]

Yay, Baertschi!

[IamNotKenKing]

For some reason these lyrics popped into my head when reading this thread.

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself
Well...How did I get here?
...
And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife
...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...

[GioforPM]

OK - just most recently, when Colborne went down, there was an immediate plea for Sven. When it was announced, another plea for him to immediatly be on the top line with Monahan.

The HF board was moreso an example, for sure. F'rinstance, when Ferland was called up, a few people were unhappy it wasn't Sven. That was at a time when Ferland was crushing it in Addy and Sven had nada.

They don't have to say "I'm impatient for there to be that connotation".

[GioforPM]

Let me try and restate, in better terms:

1. I want Sven to do well, as a Flame.

2. Sven has said many times he can lack confidence, which affects his game. This happens, according to him, when his production drops, or when he is demoted.

3. Taking his comments at face value, in combination with what we see on the ice, is not "reading too much into" his comments, or verly scrutinizing them. It's just saying "Sven said this".

4. Sven is a first round pick, and the highest, I think for some time (before Monahan) so its natural that we pay attention to this kind of stuff.

5. My impression is that Sven's big supporters tend to push for him to be given more ice or (before) called up before other guys. I think that's counterproductive. I could be wrong in this. I humbly apologize for calling this a "demand".

6. I advocate keeping him up (demotions don't seem to work). I advocate placing him with young guys who are quick, but are not on the top lines. No, he won't get to play with Monahan, but he doesn't deserve to yet, and he would be placed in a position to fail, rather than succeed.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I don't like the sound of that. Goals for shouldn't be the only thing he is out there for and it shouldn't be the only thing to give him swagger.

I hope that if they can't change the way he thinks, that he at least goes on a hot streak to raise his trade value.

This is why he needs to shut the #### up or learn how to answer the question w/o saying anything.

Everytime he says anything people interpret it differently than what he probably intended.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

This is why he needs to shut the #### up or learn how to answer the question w/o saying anything.

Everytime he says anything people interpret it differently than what he probably intended.

Maybe they interpret it how he meant it? If he says "I lost confidence" that is pretty plain.

I think where people get upset is that they people are bashing him for saying it. Or thinking he's weak or a head case or something. For me, I don't. I do think it affects him more than most other players, and that's why he mentions it (and so do his coaches).

The trick is not to get him confident by him scoring. The trick is to keep his confidence when he's not. And not putting him in spots where he is a defensive liability, which he knows is not his strong suit. So moving him up slowly, where he plays against weaker lines, both offensively and defensively, is better than throwing him out against the guys Monahan, who somehow has become a beast in 1 year, plays.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Let me try and restate, in better terms:

1. I want Sven to do well, as a Flame.

Sure as hell ain't getting this impression from you.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Sure as hell ain't getting this impression from you.

My bad, I guess. I do feel that way. I just get irritated at the rose colored glasses sometimes, and I probably over react.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I definitely feel Sven has made very clear comments in the past that have alluded to his head not being in the right spot, and the comment about getting swagger from some of his good play resulting in goals is NOT one of them.

Makes total sense, you hear it all the time from players, builds confidence as things start to go in. And Sven was playing well last night, which is why things went in for him and his line mates, he should let that create swagger and build off of it. Of course that's not all he should focus on, but I don't think that's at all what he was saying, he was just pointing out that when good things make results, it builds confidence, and rightfully so.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I definitely feel Sven has made very clear comments in the past that have alluded to his head not being in the right spot, and the comment about getting swagger from some of his good play resulting in goals is NOT one of them.

Makes total sense, you hear it all the time from players, builds confidence as things start to go in. And Sven was playing well last night, which is why things went in for him and his line mates, he should let that create swagger and build off of it. Of course that's not all he should focus on, but I don't think that's at all what he was saying, he was just pointing out that when good things make results, it builds confidence, and rightfully so.

My responses weren't really about this last interview - more about past ones. I agree with you about this one.

[heep223]

As Hartley alluded to, this guy is a playmaker. I could see him and Gaudreau feeding Monahan, Bennett and Poirier all day long for many, many years. Such a good mix of speed, finishing ability and high IQ in that group.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Maybe they interpret it how he meant it? If he says "I lost confidence" that is pretty plain.

I think where people get upset is that they people are bashing him for saying it. Or thinking he's weak or a head case or something. For me, I don't. I do think it affects him more than most other players, and that's why he mentions it (and so do his coaches).

The trick is not to get him confident by him scoring. The trick is to keep his confidence when he's not. And not putting him in spots where he is a defensive liability, which he knows is not his strong suit. So moving him up slowly, where he plays against weaker lines, both offensively and defensively, is better than throwing him out against the guys Monahan, who somehow has become a beast in 1 year, plays.

Maybe you are right, but I don't see how pouring your heart out to a media whore is in your best interests. He should know that. IMO that's a bigger concern than the content.

[GioforPM]

Perhaps. It is a bit of a distraction and doesn't accomplish much.

[FlameZilla]

Sven, if you're reading this thread please read this book: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/0399163...&pi=SY200_QL40

It is possible to harness and control these mental booby-traps (yes, I said booby), but it takes time & experience. In my line of work you have to deal with performance anxiety & various other little gremlins which can seem like self-sabotage. When I see Sven struggle I can't help but empathise because of struggles I've had along the way and which I'm only now learning to cope with.

A lot of people on this board seem eager to accuse Sven of having "attitude problems" and a sense of entitlement, but there is no way that's the case. I see in him a player with immense talent & vision but who has yet to hone his "inner game of tennis." He's an intense character and a very intelligent hockey player. Get him to a sport psychologist like Steve Peters to iron out these mountain/molehills which are holding him back.

Last night was the first time in at least a calendar year that we've seen Baertschi hit his stride. I hope he can ride this wave and continue to contribute.

[Lanny_McDonald]

^^^ yeah, Sven, if you are reading this thread I would recommend you don't try and fix yourself. Go speak to someone trained in psychology, with a concentration in sports and dealing with performance athletes. If you are really hard up for a book to read I might suggest the following title. It is mostly for practitioners but you might get something hing out it as well.

http://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4317184.aspx

Talk to a professional. They will help you. If it was good enough for Jordan and Woods it should work for you as well.

[Inglewood Jack]

dear lord, please Sven I hope you're not reading this thread...the content here is enough to put well-adjusted people into a state of mental disarray, let alone an athlete with ongoing confidence issues.

[Hack&Lube]

Wow, we're at the point where posters are advocating sending him to a shrink?

It's pretty simple, some people thrive off success. I hope that encourages him to keep seeking more success.