Sven "Fricken" Bartschi!

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I'm quite embarrassed the way the team is handling him. Niederreiter-esque.

Agreed. Would it kill them to give the most talented individual on their roster some time on the PP?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

He should be in the AHL

By the 3rd or 4th week in March the Flames could be out of playoff contention and I would hope that the team finally turns into sellers at the deadline and Sven gets more ice time over the final weeks of the season.

[FlamesAddiction]

I would put him down for a bit and bring Horak back up.

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

By the 3rd or 4th week in March the Flames could be out of playoff contention and I would hope that the team finally turns into sellers at the deadline and Sven gets more ice time over the final weeks of the season.

That is how I see it going, still not sold on ownership and K.King allowing Feaster to go down this path however.

[Vinny01]

Keep him up I think he will break out soon and once the team is out which could be soon his ice time will increase to give the fans something to hope for in the future.

[Stay Golden]

Sven needs more time if he is still playing like this 10 games from now send him down. Actually it doesn't matter he is better than anyone in the Flames AHL system as a winger we already know that.
Sven has been a bit of a disappointment hopefully he starts clicking. I hope Hartley keeps Hudler with him though, who better to learn from and a similar player.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Joborule

The kid hasn't done much to impress since the first game of the season. I don't recall him developing much plays, and moreso leads to the other team getting the puck back if anything. For being a creative playmaker, he's not playing like one.

Sven really needs to step it up, otherwise should get sent back to the A. He's not ready yet.

I haven't seen any of this. I think it's clear what's there, skill wise, most times he's on the ice. I'm not sure what kind of plays he's supposed to develop when one of his passing choices is Jackman and the other is Comeau the playkiller.

I also don't see him turning the puck over often.

A little confused by this.

[bluloc]

I'd like to see Beartchi get some top line minutes with some decent players before sending him down. I'm thinking put him with Iginla and Stajan. I'm sure playing with dumb and dumber is only hindering his abilities. Never been a big fan of Hartley and anyone coaching the Avalanche 2001 would have won a Stanley cup.

[t0rrent98]

Originally Posted by bluloc

I'd like to see Beartchi get some top line minutes with some decent players before sending him down. I'm thinking put him with Iginla and Stajan. I'm sure playing with dumb and dumber is only hindering his abilities. Never been a big fan of Hartley and anyone coaching the Avalanche 2001 would have won a Stanley cup.

If Hartley was a smart man and a gambling man, he should try having Iggy and Baerstchi on the same line. It'll be like Sakic and Hejduk during his younger years.

[bluloc]

Originally Posted by t0rrent98

If Hartley was a smart man and a gambling man, he should try having Iggy and Baerstchi on the same line. It'll be like Sakic and Hejduk during his younger years.

It just makes sense. Wonder what Hartley's thinking.

[Erick Estrada]

Anyone else surprised that Sven hasn't seen really any PP time given the struggles of the powerplay of late? I would think powerplay is a great chance for him to gain some confidence in his game and seems like a good fit given he has more natural talent than guys like Glencross and Stepniak.

[theg69]

The bottom line is that Baertschi has not played well enough to be promoted onto the top 2 lines. I find he is just not strong enough on the puck and needs some more mass before he can be an effective player. He is still not strong enough defensively (which is understandable given its his first full NHL season) and I don't think the coaching staff is comfortable in putting him out there against the top lines of the opposition.

He WAS on a skilled line last game (as all of CP were clamoring for) with Hudler and Cervenka, and did not make that much of an impact, so I don't get this griping about Hartley. Comeau was also demoted back to the 4th line - also something people were clamoring for.

One thing I do agree with is why is he not on the PP? That would be the one instance where he can use his talent to gain some much needed confidence. I didn't like how we kept rolling predominantly 2 lines of PP during our long 5 min and 4 min powerplays. It probably would have been beneficial to run a 3rd PP line of Stajan Baertschi and Cervenka.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by nik-

I haven't seen any of this. I think it's clear what's there, skill wise, most times he's on the ice. I'm not sure what kind of plays he's supposed to develop when one of his passing choices is Jackman and the other is Comeau the playkiller.

I also don't see him turning the puck over often.

A little confused by this.

When I say leads to puck being given back to other team, it's via dump or unable to control the puck.

I haven't seen him be a notice on the ice at all basically.

[sa226]

There is nothing to worry about with Sven. He has it all going for him.

The only dissapointing thing is that he didn't just step in and light it up, like most of us hoped he would.

There have been flashes, but I haven't seen enough from him to warrant any sort of promotion.

He really isn't expected to play a scoring roll on the team. Right now he is learning how to be an NHL player. Basically "If you're not going to help the team, don't hurt it"

He is learning the details, defensive responsibilities, preparation, mental game etc etc.

Look no further than 2.5 hours north to see what happens when top prospects are expected to carry a team and learn to be an NHLer. Some succeed, some fail.

The Datsyuk example has been used as a template before. I remember him in the 04 series. He was a shadow of the player that he now is.

Sure I'm dissapointed that Sven isn't lighting it up. He is in that tweener stage. Too good for the AHL (ie not much else for him to learn) but not quite ready for a starring NHL role.

He needs to be here, but he doesn't need to get top minutes.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by nik-

I haven't seen any of this. I think it's clear what's there, skill wise, most times he's on the ice. I'm not sure what kind of plays he's supposed to develop when one of his passing choices is Jackman and the other is Comeau the playkiller.

I also don't see him turning the puck over often.

A little confused by this.

He played one game on the fourth line and that was prior to his injury.

Outside of Tanguay and Iginla he has played with every forward on this team.

Since his return from Injury he has played with Hudler-Comeau, and Hudler-Cervenka.

The only issue is Sven has not been getting any PP time, his linemates 5 v 5 have been good enough for him to create offense.

[Saqe]

Expectations were " a bit " too high for him, which is pretty understandable since everyone is looking for the next saviour for this team. Kid is a rookie, they grow at different paces all the time and it´s hard to know when they bloom.

Not at all worried about him and I think he should be given 2nd/3rd line icetime. It´s not like there is a queue of people who are outperforming him and deserve that spot more. Playing fourth line minutes- meh. Rather send him to AHL and let him play more.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Anyone else surprised that Sven hasn't seen really any PP time given the struggles of the powerplay of late? I would think powerplay is a great chance for him to gain some confidence in his game and seems like a good fit given he has more natural talent than guys like Glencross and Stepniak.

Especially with the PP struggling and we all know Sven has a great wrister and is a slick passer. If Sven scores his first of the season it will benefit his confidence tremendously. PP goals come to players like Sven. It's a good point made EE.

[flamesaresmokin]

Originally Posted by theg69

The bottom line is that Baertschi has not played well enough to be promoted onto the top 2 lines. I find he is just not strong enough on the puck and needs some more mass before he can be an effective player. He is still not strong enough defensively (which is understandable given its his first full NHL season) and I don't think the coaching staff is comfortable in putting him out there against the top lines of the opposition.

Why is this always the excuse for our franchise mishandling prospects? The team has a track record of doing exactly this to young, skilled players. They all just never played well enough to warrant time in a scoring role? Even though scoring is what they were drafted for? On any given night in the NHL there are first year players playing prominent roles on their respective teams even though they have obvious short comings.

What in all honesty does this team have to lose by throwing baertschi to the wolves for a dozen games as a top 6 player getting pp time? He certainly not going to develop any better then backlund did getting 8-10 minutes a night moving ahead. Especially if he's lining up with begin and jackman for half that time.

[Rudee]

I hope Bartschi doesn't turn into another Pavel Brendl. A highly rated and talked about Junior star who's talents failed to translate to stardom at the NHL level, despite incredible promise. We'll see after he's been in the league a few years. Still too early to tell.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Rudee

I hope Bartschi doesn't turn into another Pavel Brendl. A highly rated and talked about Junior star who's talents failed to translate to stardom at the NHL level, despite incredible promise. We'll see after he's been in the league a few years. Still too early to tell.

This sounds like every "good" prospect the flames have ever had