[News] Baertschi scores his 1st 5-point game

[Tyler]

I can see Burke purposely not bringing him up, just so that he's hungrier next year

[bluloc]

Nice to see.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I'd imagine a lot of people would vote for Gaudreau at this point. He's at the stage where he's on the cusp of hitting the pro game so that junior/college hype is at an all time high.

Some votes would go to Poirier too, maybe Gillies.

I think I'll run that elimination poll after the draft and free agency again this summer. Worked really well last summer.

If its a consistent thing it creates the opportunity to write up a change year over year article as well ... biggest movers, etc.

[fastpuck]

I am big fan of Baertschi. I think he should stay at Abbotsford, and learn to deal with that disappointment. Hoping he is inspired this summer, maybe Gary Roberts school of hard knocks would do him well. He seems to let his emotions rule and I think that is his biggest challenge to playing for a spot. He has the talent, and I think the drive.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think I'll run that elimination poll after the draft and free agency again this summer. Worked really well last summer.

If its a consistent thing it creates the opportunity to write up a change year over year article as well ... biggest movers, etc.

Good thing to see year-to-year. I'd imagine whoever we draft 1st round this year will be the new number one but should be neat to see who rounds out after that.

[Bingo]

I enjoy seeing what guys were not in the top five prospects, then suddenly emerge. The trade off between guys that sputter and guys that emerge.

This year clearly its Baertschi down, and Ortio and Granlund up.

If you look at Mikael Backlund for a reference you may see the Baertschi projection. He was offense only as a prospect, spent time in the AHL, made the push into a NHL role without a lot of production, then moved into an impact role this season after many had given up on him.

Age wise, Baertschi is moving into the season where Backlund played 73 games and scored 10 times.

[GoFlamesGo1989]

Sven scores points at a 0.50 clip in the NHL so I'm not worried about his development right now. He's is a promising prospect, I just hope we are all patient with him.

[Huntingwhale]

Savior be savin'

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Blue chipper be chippin' in?

[mikephoen]

I voted makes the team as a third liner and continues to develop. I could definitely see him being traded though. I expect Burke/ the new GM will make some moves at the draft and over summer and Sven would be a piece I could see them moving.

[Roof-Daddy]

I voted "Traded this summer"

I think a big name, stud Dman will be heading the Flames way this off-season. At the draft to be specific.....Burke likes his stud Dmen, and I think it will his stamp on the team prior to hiring the next GM. I think Baertschi will be part of the package heading the other way.

IMO the Flames have a really deep group of forward prospects now, especially "Left Wingers", and even more to the point...left handed shooting forward prospects.

Gaudreau
Granlund (Center, but left hand shot)
Ferland
Reinhart (Center/RW but left hand shot)
Klimchuk
Poirier (RW, but left hand shot)
Agostino
Hanowski

...and on and on.....Jankowski, Gordon, Van Brabant, etc....

All sizes, types and skill levels, so I have no problem with management using a high level prospect like Sven to acquire a big piece for elsewhere on the roster.

[Lanny_McDonald]

It is going to be a very interesting training camp. If the Flames lose Cammalleri and Galiardi that will open up a couple of spots on the left wing. Baertschi may benefit from those moves. That benefit may be outweighed by the signing of Gaudreau and the drafting of Draisaitl or Dal Colle or Ritchie. Say all you want about Baertschi's potential, but Gaudreau and the top pick from this draft could make his life difficult. The Flames will likely only have one small LW and Gaudreau is looking like the player with the higher ceiling.

I think the Flames hold onto Baertschi, but if they pick a LW with their 1st rounder this draft I could see Baertschi dangled for defensive help. I would go out on a limb and say that a trade at this draft makes a lot of sense, especially with Buffalo having a plethora of picks available. The Flames could trade Baertschi to Buffalo for one of their young defensive prospects, like Ristolanen or Pysyk and one of their 2nds, like Buffalo's at 31 or Winnipeg's at 37, Buffalo could walk away with Ekblad, Draisaitl/Bennett, another pick, and Baertschi in the opening round. Calgary could walk away with one of Bennett/Dal Colle/Ritchie and one of Ristolanen/Pysyk along with the 31/37, 34 and 56th picks in this draft. That would be a great move for both teams and address immediate and long term needs.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I voted "Traded this summer"

I think a big name, stud Dman will be heading the Flames way this off-season. At the draft to be specific.....Burke likes his stud Dmen, and I think it will his stamp on the team prior to hiring the next GM. I think Baertschi will be part of the package heading the other way.

IMO the Flames have a really deep group of forward prospects now, especially "Left Wingers", and even more to the point...left handed shooting forward prospects.

Gaudreau
Granlund (Center, but left hand shot)
Ferland
Reinhart (Center/RW but left hand shot)
Klimchuk
Poirier (RW, but left hand shot)
Agostino
Hanowski

...and on and on.....Jankowski, Gordon, Van Brabant, etc....

All sizes, types and skill levels, so I have no problem with management using a high level prospect like Sven to acquire a big piece for elsewhere on the roster.

You might be right, I'm sure Gaudreau signing will set the wheels in motion for off season deals. Personally I hope Sven stays and flourishes here.

[TheDebaser]

^My problem with that is that Sven's value is a bit too low right now. Sell high buy low right?

That said, I definitely agree with you. We have so many potential 2-3 line LWs and Centers that trading for a stud D-man or a stud RW is a pretty solid idea.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by New Era

Say all you want about Baertschi's potential, but Gaudreau and the top pick from this draft could make his life difficult. The Flames will likely only have one small LW and Gaudreau is looking like the player with the higher ceiling.

Gaudreau still has a long way to go to find success in the NHL. I would think Baertschi is more NHL ready than Gaudreau right now.

I wouldn't be opposed to trading one of them for a D-man with top 4 potential though.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I am not sure if we should let go of Sven, Johnny, Markus, Emile, or Morgan... Probably would be best if we didn't pick a LWer this draft. With one 1st, two 2nd's, two 3rd's, a 6th and a 7th, we pick one center (1st pick), two defenseman and two RWers in the 2nd and third round, and throw a dart on the 6th and 7th, proably a goalie and something else.

Sven is one to keep, we give him a lot of crap for someone that puts up .5 PPG in the NHL. So far, he and Granlund have proven themselves in the NHL. No doubt Johnny will, and Emile and Morgan have high potential.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Gaudreau still has a long way to go to find success in the NHL. I would think Baertschi is more NHL ready than Gaudreau right now.

That is possible, but it's not about who is more NHL ready at the moment. It is who has the highest potential to be an impact player in the NHL.

I wouldn't be opposed to trading one of them for a D-man with top 4 potential though.

I think that all depends on the draft. If they end up being forced into taking a LW, and the draft is very heavy up top with players at that position, I think they should make the move. If they manage to snake one of the top centers I would sit on our depth and see who bubbles to the surface.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Gaudreau still has a long way to go to find success in the NHL. I would think Baertschi is more NHL ready than Gaudreau right now.

I wouldn't be opposed to trading one of them for a D-man with top 4 potential though.

Absolutely no way I trade a blue chip prospect for a d-man with top 4 potential.

There are top 4 d-men available every year in free agency. If you can acquire one (somehow) every 2 years, you're golden. Which means, every 4 years, develop one and sign one.

Now, if we could acquire a top 2 d-man for one of them, then maybe.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo1989

Sven scores points at a 0.50 clip in the NHL so I'm not worried about his development right now. He's is a promising prospect, I just hope we are all patient with him.

I agree , although I think its Sven's patience that will be the bigger concern than the organizations or the fan base's.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

^My problem with that is that Sven's value is a bit too low right now. Sell high buy low right?

Shouldn't his value be high after a career high 5 point game?

Should be interesting to see how our kids fare in the playoffs