What Does Baertschi Have To Do...?

[crapshoot]

My take is that Sven is handled just about right at this point. He's working his way back despite playing a limited role and he is doing fine. He seems to be making the best of his situation and he's not pouting. Looks like he's figuring out the two-way aspects of his game, and I thought that the fourth line were buzzing a few times these last few games, much thanks to Sven being on his game.

I would imagine that Hartley is talking a lot to Sven about what he needs to do, and I'm really starting to trust Hartley in bringing these young guys along. I guess it's not likely, but I hope that Bollig is the one getting bumped into the press box when Stajan returns this weekend and that Sven can get a game in with Stajan centering him and Bouma. That line might be able to create a bit more offence than what is currently the case.

He will probably be demoted once Raymond and Colborne get back unless someone else gets injured, but right now I think that Sven is in a pretty good place, and he might just go down to Adirondack and prove his worth this time around. If Sven indeed gets sent down, I think it's his final stint in the AHL, and the next time he gets recalled is when he finally sticks.

[Dion]

He's not good enough to crack the top 6 on this team. Besides playing on the 3rd or 4th line with limited minutes is not allowing him to grow his game. He needs lots of playing minutes and the only place he will get is back in Addy.

[Dajazz]

Maybe take a good look at Jooris & Granlund, they worked their way up the depth chart.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Fire It Up

I was wondering after tonights game (and many others) what Sven has to do to get up and off the 4th line?

He has been used in a capacity I hazard to guess he has never been used to his entire life. With approximately 9 minutes of ice a night, wouldn't he be better served playing top line minutes in the AHL? Wondering everyone's thoughts on what the plan is for this guy going forward. I don't know if a message is being sent or what, but they are using the guy in a highly ineffective manner. How is he supposed to earn anything with the role and ice time he has been given?

Has not played even a full season in the big league.



Green text/ I do not know if you have ever seen Hartley coach but every young player on Calgary at some point in time started at fourth line duties. Jg, Granlund,Ferland,Backlund,Colborne,,Bouma, Byron, and Monahan, all started their NHL careers under Harley on the fourth line then promoted.

[stemit14]

I have to agree. Sven is playing well enough to earn a chance with better players. Even with his limited ice time he is averaging creating at least 1 or 2 quality scoring chances per game. Look at bouma's chance tonight and last game from beautiful passes by baertschi. He's using his skill to create chances whenever he's in the offensive zone it seems. The problem is that plays tend to die on the stick of Bollig especially and it's the fourth line so dumping the puck in and changing is what is more expected of them it seems.

I think glencross's production makes it even harder for Sven. I think baertschi has played well enough in all 3 zones to warrant a chance to play with Monahan again but glencross is producing with Sean lately so there is no desire to break up that duo. I really hope Sven gets a lucky break and shines for this team again soon cause he's doing everything the coaching staff has asked him to do. I hate when people talk about him as a trade option cause I really think he will be an impact player on this team going forward.

[TheDebaser]

I'm not sure he has made the team yet, but I am glad that he seems to have found his game again. I think if he is sent back down to the AHL the points will start flowing immediately.

[Blixa]

That is fair question and like Stemit14 wrote, there is every game a plays where he uses his playmaking skills but linemates are more grinding and polishing dust from the puck . When he played with Byron there was goals because skilled linemates. He is NHL player or very close to become NHL player, but i´m not sure it will be Flames.

Who you drop and put Sven on that spot? If leftwing: no to Glencross and Johnny, maybe Byron but that line is lot used defensive situations.
It needs injury to Johnny, Byron or Hudler they are the small skilled players.

[indes]

I thought Sven had an excellent game and played well in all 3 zones tonight. I hope he can keep it up and get a few bounces

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by indes

I thought Sven had an excellent game and played well in all 3 zones tonight. I hope he can keep it up and get a few bounces

I think he is in a good spot right now. He played well last night, looked really comfortable, skated hard, created some chances. The points will come, but I'm thinking that should not be the focus for him right now. He just needs to keep doing what he has been doing, and he will be fine.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Jooris did it.

Exactly what I was going to say ...

Jooris came in scored a goal in Columbus, then faded to the fourth line, then out of the lineup.

Then he dressed in the fourth line, played great, moved up, played great, and has never looked back.

Won't be handed to you. He has to create with his fourth line linemates until he earns a look with better players. Lord knows the Flames have the skill on the blueline 2/3 of the time he's out there. He's not alone.

[Poe969]

I think if Sven wants to break out he's going to have to be traded. I think I'd be more upset if he was forced onto the first line or handed better line mates and more minutes without earning them.

I honestly just don't think it's working out with Sven and the Flames. I hope he turns it around and can become an integral part of the future but as of now I think he'd have the most value if he was traded for a good young defenseman or prospect.

[kehatch]

My issue isn't that he is in the fourth line. It's how he has been managed on the fourth line. Last night with a two goal lead he was benched the majority of the third (a common theme). Bouma replaced Ferland on the third line and he and Baertschi sat the bench. Baertschi played the fewest minutes if everyone on the team. Which would have been fine. Except he played very well.

If your standard is how many goals he is scoring give me a break. He is a playmaking forward. He has had three games this season not with either Bollig or Setoguchi. He is a PPG in those games. He is rarely put up points in the role he is in. Role does have an impact.

The measurement for success needs to be different. Last night he was aggressive on the forecheck. He kept short shifts. He played smart and safe decisions. He was effective in the defensive end.

Those things should be rewarded. They shouldn't result in a third period benching, especially with a two goal lead.

[GioforPM]

Can't agree that his game was "excellent" if you judge it against pretty much every other player on the Flames last night. He had an average game last night. He forechecked fairly well on one or two shifts, but he lost the the puck battle in one and created maybe one scoring chance which didn't pan out. Not much time in the third? The Flames were in a tight game and the Coyotes were controlling the boards a lot of the time in the Flames end and taking outside shots that needed to be blocked. That's a game for Bouma.

If more time and bigger role is what he needs, he must go to the minors. Setoguchi had a goal and an assist last night in Addy. Maybe Sven can get his offence going there.

[PeteMoss]

He's playing fine. I'm not sure why he needs to be moved up... team is winning games. I'm also not sure why he needs to be traded. If you can improve the team sure... but otherwise just hold onto him. He's a cheap asset at this point.

[Poe969]

Sure he played very well, but everyone did. It's not like Seto was on the ice taking more time than Sven. Everyone played well but others earned the right to move up. At this point, they want #'s, they want someone to not only step up but to be the best player and Sven hasn't done that yet. When he puts up a couple goals he will, and they won't give up the whole game to score a couple goals so he's going to have to make his ice time count.

[Frequitude]

He's playing ok, but it just looks like he can't maintain the same level of intensity that Hartley has these guys playing at.

[flambers]

His biggest issue maintains he is too inconsistent.

Right now, I would think he is on the list as the first or second player to be sent down once Stajan and Colborne are activated.

[Erick Estrada]

This thread is so lame. Team is on a fantastic run to start the season and you have fans that are upset that their favorite players aren't getting the Oilers red carpet treatment. If you want to watch a team where prospects don't have to earn their ice time with their play become an Oilers fan for crying out loud. Why can't fans just be happy that the team is doing much better than expected?

[troutman]

He didn't get the puck out last night, and that led to a scoring chance. Has to eliminate those mistakes, and create more chances at the other end.

[gunnner]

Thought he had a good game last night, he was skating and passing well. Bouma should have buried that one Sven set up. Also made a nice to play to Engellend on the wing.