I do believe most people forget about his concussions. Personally, I believe his attitude has a big part to play in the fact that he couldn't crack the NHL, but I also think his concussions have a part to play. There are many players who just aren't the same after being concussed.
I think in order for Sven to succeed, they need to fawn over him in Vancouver and let him play with the Sedins. Otherwise, he'll get pissy and feel hard done by, and will never amount to anything but an AHLer or a Swiss Leaguer.
I don't doubt that Sven has skill (that slick sauce pass he made to I believe Jooris for a breakaway this year attests), but attitude is extremely important. He has the wrong one unfortunately.
Look how far attitude got the Flames this year as a whole.
[from interviews after Sven/dopey has quit Steel Dragon] Kirk: Well, as far as I'm concerned, it's much ado about nothing isn't it? There's still four of us left. We're the original four. We're not going anywhere. A.C. - Drummer, Steel Dragon: Look for the last time I don't give a crap where he is and I don't really care if I ever see that little ####### again. Mats, Steel Dragon Road Manager: He said to me, um, I need to take a piss. That's it. Uh, "Mats", he said, "I really need a piss."
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
so does anyone know if Sven is still scheduled to play in game 5? how do you think he'll do?
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The Delhi police have announced the formation of a crack team dedicated to nabbing the elusive 'Monkey Man' and offered a reward for his -- or its -- capture.
That seems like such a weird mix of players for some reason. Do you think that the Panthers could be a playoff team next year?
Absolutely. Defense and goaltending were solid. Offense was the main issue and Jagr sparked the big line after the trade deadline. Barring major injuries I think they'll be in a wild card spot.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
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Sven will be an NHLer next season, while Jankowski's future is still very much up in the air. Odds are Sven has the better career. I am pulling for Janko, but we have to look at this without Flames blinders on.
I disagree.
Baertschi has become a perimeter player since his injuries. And its not just that, but also that he seems to think his game is fine the way it is and he doesn't feel the need to change. I see him having some marginal success here and there, when he happens to find the the right line-mates on the right team, etc. However, I would guess that he is playing in Switzerland in not too long (especially if he gets his bell rung again - knock on wood).
Jankowski is the exact opposite of Baertschi. He has more size, is a better skater, plays a much smarter game, does all the little things well and - most importantly - is very coachable. No doubt in my mind that Jankowski has a longer and better career than Baertschi.
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Baertschi is too soft for the NHL and will likely never crack the league imo. In the lower leagues he can go along the boards better because the game is slower, but in the NHL he can't avoid contact and he folds like a lawn chair. Unless he bulks up I don't see him making it, I played hockey for 15 years and there was a certain type of player that was the worst;
The kind of player that was afraid to go into the corners, afraid to bumped and just plain afraid of contact. These guys stick out like a sore thumb because they don't fight for pucks along the boards much if at all, Baertschi is one of them. He's got world class eye hand coordination that's for sure, but way too soft. He'll never make it. It's not about size it's about intelligence and courage, Gaudreau has it in spades. Kid hit Byfuglien ffs, Baertschi's afraid of his own shadow.
Baertschi has become a perimeter player since his injuries. And its not just that, but also that he seems to think his game is fine the way it is and he doesn't feel the need to change. I see him having some marginal success here and there, when he happens to find the the right line-mates on the right team, etc. However, I would guess that he is playing in Switzerland in not too long (especially if he gets his bell rung again - knock on wood).
Jankowski is the exact opposite of Baertschi. He has more size, is a better skater, plays a much smarter game, does all the little things well and - most importantly - is very coachable. No doubt in my mind that Jankowski has a longer and better career than Baertschi.
Baertschi already has made the big show. Big praise for a player not even a number 1 center on a college team 20 years plus.
Baertschi already has made the big show. Big praise for a player not even a number 1 center on a college team 20 years plus.
Your definition of 'made the big show' and mine are very different. If you can't stick, you haven't made it. You do understand that Utica isn't the big show right?
Oh and 20 years plus? He's 20. He is 23 months younger than Baertschi (2 years minus 22 days, to be precise). How about we give Jankowski two more years to see how he stacks up against where Baertschi is right now, okay?
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Baertschi has become a perimeter player since his injuries. And its not just that, but also that he seems to think his game is fine the way it is and he doesn't feel the need to change. I see him having some marginal success here and there, when he happens to find the the right line-mates on the right team, etc. However, I would guess that he is playing in Switzerland in not too long (especially if he gets his bell rung again - knock on wood).
Jankowski is the exact opposite of Baertschi. He has more size, is a better skater, plays a much smarter game, does all the little things well and - most importantly - is very coachable. No doubt in my mind that Jankowski has a longer and better career than Baertschi.
The thing with Jankowski is that yeah, he does the things you say he does but his level of compete hasn't been there in my opinion. I haven't seen him win puck battles much but yeah, he gets in position and gets in the way so he's defensively sound. It may be because he's just been too weak and as he gains strength, he'll gain confidence and break out. His NCAA tournament showed progress so maybe he can keep it up and we have a player.
Making the show means sticking, not being the occasional call up.
Out of the tens of thousands of hockey players, even playing one NHL game is impressive. However, there is merit in staying with the big club, granted.
Baertschi was called up by the big club for critical playoffs games at the age of 22. I'd say that is equally impressive.
Let's see how the development of each player pans out. I'd love for the Flames to have a productive, large framed center in a few seasons considering the depth we have already.
Baertschi was called up by the big club for critical playoffs games at the age of 22. I'd say that is equally impressive.
And he did nothing. Of course making the NHL is impressive, but imo when I think of someone 'sticking' with an NHL club it means they are a permanent part of the club, not an occasional call up. Sven has a great chance to stick with the Canucks next season, but right now I'd just consider him a tweener.
