Canucks recall Baertschi. Update: expected to play in Game 5

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

He's going to be chasing unless he's swooping in the neutral zone looking for an outlet.

Sven the Swiss Swoopie - has a certain ring to it!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

...That's a major drawback for him in this kind of series I think. It's not the physicality, it's the speed.

When he played this year, it was a noticeable issue. He didn't do a great job of keeping up with the play, and was usually invisible for how infrequently he wass part of the rush.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Even if the physicality sees any reduction, there will still be no time or space out there tonight. In addition to being very physical, the other common characteristic in every game of this series has been the extremely high speed, and the relentless back checking.

I don't see how Baertschi fares very well under these circumstances. He's just not that fast, and his decision making requires something he will be short of: time and space.

I said it early on this year - Sven has passing skills in junior and the AHL because the game is slower. When up here this year he didn't seem to have enough time to make good decisions, so he couldn't anticipate where the puck was going to be on the forecheck. He couldn't decide what do do when a checker came at him, so the puck got lost. It's the difference between him and Johnny, who doesn't have blazing straight ahead speed but thinks the game a million mph.

He couldn't do it in the regular season (in the first half too). The POs are a whole different breed of game speed. If he's replacing Burrows he's a downgrade for sure. Burrows is a POS but he's more suited to this game.

If I'm Hartley, I'm not changing any game plans but I would for sure not encourage headhunting him. More like being on him quick.

Funny though, Sven has seen Ferland more than most guys on the Flames, and he knows what Ferland can do to him (mind you, Ferland targets defencemen way more).

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Even if the physicality sees any reduction, there will still be no time or space out there tonight. In addition to being very physical, the other common characteristic in every game of this series has been the extremely high speed, and the relentless back checking.

I don't see how Baertschi fares very well under these circumstances. He's just not that fast, and his decision making requires something he will be short of: time and space.

Unless Sven has an epiphany, I think the only way this turns out well if they put him with the Sedins and tell him to just find an open spot and prepare to one-time it after the other two do all the work.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I think he'd be terrible with the Sedins. Those guys cross the line slowly and methodically set up an attack, then hang on to the puck and wait for an opportunity to create a chance.

Sven is a rushing, transition type of scorer. Makes much more sense to play him with Bonino and I suspect Vrbata is going back to the Sedin line. Given how invisible Bonino has been I'd be surprised if Sven makes any kind of impact there.

[Thor]

I can't wait to see him fail, sorry to say that since I cheered for him to turn his attitude around and prove everyone wrong, but sadly and happily for us he will display why he was not worth a call up for the flames.

[greyshep]

I actually dont really like this. I didnt think Burrows was playing all that great and was becoming an increasing liability. Baertschi has all kinds of motivation here and could actually slot in fairly well in the top six. We have seen how he does when he is confident.

Really hoping we can nullify him and he doesnt get any reason to gain confidence.

[heep223]

nm wrong thread

[saillias]

Originally Posted by greyshep

I actually dont really like this. I didnt think Burrows was playing all that great and was becoming an increasing liability. Baertschi has all kinds of motivation here and could actually slot in fairly well in the top six. We have seen how he does when he is confident.

Really hoping we can nullify him and he doesnt get any reason to gain confidence.

Agreed, after watching Blake Comeau and Rene Bourque score GWGs against us, it almost feels like an inevitability.

[FlamesAddiction]

nm (double post)

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by greyshep

I actually dont really like this. I didnt think Burrows was playing all that great and was becoming an increasing liability. Baertschi has all kinds of motivation here and could actually slot in fairly well in the top six. We have seen how he does when he is confident.

Really hoping we can nullify him and he doesnt get any reason to gain confidence.

I'm not worried. If Canucks coaches actually thought that, then Baertschi would already be playing. By the sounds of it, they really didn't expect Baertschi to be drawing in right away either, so their game plan is already in flux.

Burrows, as much as we all hate him, is a pretty effective pest and provides a reasonable amount of offence. He is their Bouma basically. I think they feel this loss.

[dino7c]

flames have to worry about their own game no matter who is in the lineup tonight

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by greyshep

I actually dont really like this. I didnt think Burrows was playing all that great and was becoming an increasing liability. Baertschi has all kinds of motivation here and could actually slot in fairly well in the top six. We have seen how he does when he is confident.

Really hoping we can nullify him and he doesnt get any reason to gain confidence.

You don't like this because all this does is add a scenario where a loss tonight might sting more than it would have done previously, but a win really doesn't get any sweeter.

- Lose tonight with Sven playing well, or even worse being a key contributor, does that make it hurt a little more - probably.

- Win tonight under any circumstances with Sven in the line up, does that feel any better than it would if he wasn't playing? - Maybe I shouldn't speak for others, but I don't think sticking it to Sven makes the potential of going up 3-1 in this series any better to me, so NO.

So there you have it, you don't like it, cause it adds another outcome that could be worse than what existed previously, with out adding any extra benefit outcomes.

[foshizzle11]

sounds like canuck fans want to see Sven with Horvat, not with the Sedins for many reasons mentioned above.

I hope he has a decent career but I have no issue with him getting a little extra attention tonight without moving away from our game plan. No way he is better than Burrows at this point of the season so I am happy Burrows won't be playing.

I don't think he will perform tonight if he plays, it is just a huge stage for him and I truly doubt he is ready for the NHL playoffs.

If fans feel like they want to boo him when he has the puck, I am ok with that but I wouldn't be joining in if I was at the game.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Sven with Horvat doesn't make a ton of sense either, that line has been a rare bright spot and I don't see why they would break those three up.

Originally Posted by greyshep

I actually dont really like this. I didnt think Burrows was playing all that great and was becoming an increasing liability.

Really? He's tied for 2nd on the team in shots with Vrbata. Don't worry, this is a huge loss for the Canucks, regardless of how Sven does.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

sounds like canuck fans want to see Sven with Horvat, not with the Sedins for many reasons mentioned above.

I hope he has a decent career but I have no issue with him getting a little extra attention tonight without moving away from our game plan. No way he is better than Burrows at this point of the season so I am happy Burrows won't be playing.

I don't think he will perform tonight if he plays, it is just a huge stage for him and I truly doubt he is ready for the NHL playoffs.

If fans feel like they want to boo him when he has the puck, I am ok with that but I wouldn't be joining in if I was at the game.

I'm with you, booing Sven is giving him far more fan attention or credibility than he's earned or deserves at this point.

[CubicleGeek]

I'm booing his ass.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Boo or not, I don't really care. But he is a Canuck. That is all that matters, so he should be pounded at every opportunity. No headshots, no slewfoots, just intense physical play. As he is a Canuck, I hope he is terrible.

[GioforPM]

"OK Sven, I'm matching you against the third line of Calgary".

"Who's that?"

"Jones, Stajan and Ferland"

[Phaneufenstein]

This isn't the ideal situation for Sven with us having the last change and Bob knowing all the holes in his game. It would show great character if he managed to have a good game tonight, something we haven't seen from him so far.