Sven Bärtschi: Evaluating His First 9 Games

[St. Pats]

He isn't developing sitting on the bench most of the game. He could very much use some time in the AHL on the top line. Let him get his confidence back. He isn't ready so why waste valuable development time?

[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

He isn't developing sitting on the bench most of the game. He could very much use some time in the AHL on the top line. Let him get his confidence back. He isn't ready so why waste valuable development time?

The problem is the heat aint scoring goals either.

[North East Goon]

Sven has such a great positive attitude, keeping this wide eye'd rookie in the dressing room isnt necessarily a bad thing.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think it's amazing how many of our prospects hit a wall when they transition from juniors to pro hockey. It's really starting to looking more and more like the Flames aren't a poor drafting team, but instead are by far the worst at developing prospects in the NHL. These guys have no idea what they're doing.

Enough with players like Kolanos and Walter in Abbotsford. It is inexcusable to see Reinhart sitting, or seeing Baertschi get benched an entire period during the lockout.

Winning comes first even at the AHL level for the Flames, though they haven't even been doing a good job at it down there.

Baertschi has lost all the confidence he had coming from junior. That blows my mind. Changes need to be made regarding player development, and quick. Something isn't working, and hasn't been working for a long time.

Finally catching on? I remember last offseason when you couldn't toot Troy Ward hard enough. Just bugging though...

Anyways, yes the problem is player development is the major hole in the organization and its been obvious for years. Kobasew was clutch performer and seemed like a sure-fire top 6 and ultimate gamer. Somehow he turned into a inconsistant winger who I will remember best for being on the wrong side of big hits. Lombardi made the team out of training camp by being a opportunity within 25 ft of the net, finding open areas on the ice, getting there and had a pretty good sniper shot; he turned into the headless horseman who only seemed to play a N-S game. Phaneuf, we know the story... used to be gold between the blue line and the gold line; ever year his hockey sense got worse and worse. Even Dustin Boyd, I think if he would have spent his key years in another organization (rather then the Flames) he'd be a 50 point guy in the NHL. Backlund is TBD. Now Sven...

[Enoch Root]

I posted this in another thread - I should have posted it here:

Using last night's lines (though it doesn't really matter), once Backlund is back, you have to believe that Baertschi goes down (and should):

Glencross – Backlund - Cammalleri
Cervenka – Hudler – Iginla
Tanguay – Stajan – Stempniak

Exactly who, out of that top 9, is Baertschi going to replace right now?

The other factor that I think some people are forgetting, is that Baertschi has had 2 injuries this year. Since the end of November, he has palyed 12 games - and with very limited ice time. 12 games in over 3 months. About 140 minutes on the ice.

He needs to play and he needs the puck on his stick. He should be in Abby.

[flamesfever]

Personally, I believe he should have been played on the top 6 for at least 15 minutes for each game, right from the start.

[Savvy27]

If an injury to a top six guy does occur, I'd rather bring up a confident Sven who is playing like a star in the AHL to fill in on the top six, than this version of him who looks very tentative and physically intimidated. I think people are downgrading their expectations a bit too much, personally I think he'll be a fairly regular all-star in his prime. Right now though, he should spend some time in the minors to find his offence.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

If an injury to a top six guy does occur, I'd rather bring up a confident Sven who is playing like a star in the AHL to fill in on the top six, than this version of him who looks very tentative and physically intimidated. I think people are downgrading their expectations a bit too much, personally I think he'll be a fairly regular all-star in his prime. Right now though, he should spend some time in the minors to find his offence.

I agree, now that he's been misplayed, injured, etc., he needs building up.

[dammage79]

In the preseason I thought Sven would play most of the year in the minors because of the depth of one way contracts. A lot of people thought I was crazy. But right now it's looking like that would have been the best route for him to log all of those minutes down there with Horak and Reinhart. Then bring him up for the stretch drive and use him at his best.

I wouldnt call this a blunder in means to the way they have handled him but it sure is frustrating to watch him be hardly used right now. And even more frustrating to see him sit while Comeau gets more minutes. I understand Comeaus size and speed are getting him those minutes but it is still gross to see sven be buried by the likes of comeau.

Send him to the heat and let him get his confidence back.

[Stay Golden]

Sven is only going to improve if he gets put into more situations to succeed.
Strength with the puck is his only flaw that is an issue i notice.
Good hockey IQ just needs to figure out the closing time in the NHL is far quicker than making fools of flatfooted AHL Dmen.

[Coach]

I wouldn't mind seeing Sven sent down if he's not going to get decent ice-time. I just dont understand what Hartley is doing with him. I know Comeau had his one good game yesterday, but he still had 4 or 5 chances I noticed where I couldn't help but think if Sven had the puck in that position he probably would have scored.

[flamesfever]

I would guess if Sven had been given the same ice time and level of skill with team mates as Cervenka, he'd probably have more than 3 goals and be well on his way to being an NHLer. Now, howevr, I agree he needs go back a step and play in the AHL for a while.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I would guess if Sven had been given the same ice time and level of skill with team mates as Cervenka, he'd probably have more than 3 goals and be well on his way to being an NHLer. Now, howevr, I agree he needs go back a step and play in the AHL for a while.

Cervenka and Baertschi have had virtually identical treatment.

Both struggled due to injuries and have bounced between pretty much all the lines.

[Rudee]

I think Sven will turn out to be another Pavel Brendl. A very promising star in the Juniors, but will fail to translate that stardom in the NHL.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Rudee

I think Sven will turn out to be another Pavel Brendl. A very promising star in the Juniors, but will fail to translate that stardom in the NHL.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Cervenka and Baertschi have had virtually identical treatment.

Both struggled due to injuries and have bounced between pretty much all the lines.

I see the TOI is not that different: Cervenka 13:57 (17 games) and Baertschi 11:00 (10 games).

Hasn't Cervenka played mostly with Hudler?