Friedman's 30 Thoughts - Nov 6

[Ashasx]

"Clearly has some issues between the ears"

this is why discussion of this topic on this forum is absolutely nonsensical and leads to no where

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

"Clearly has some issues between the ears"

this is why discussion of this topic on this forum is absolutely nonsensical and leads to no where

That's just one way of looking at it (and a popular one too, for whatever it's worth). I'd just be curious to hear how you see it. He clearly isn't happy with the current state of things.

[GioforPM]

I liked Sven a lot when he showed up. I still do, and hope he turns it around. But there sure are a lot of excuses:

He was tired for the Mtl game. He didn't play with good linemates. English is his second language. The coaches won't give him big minutes. He was playing well in Addy -just snake bitten. He's under the microscope.

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Because Setoguchi's 1 min of power play time per game is the only thing holding Baertschi back?

No, but it sure would be nice to see Baertschi get a chance when Setoguchi has done nothing to deserve it.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

That's just one way of looking at it (and a popular one too, for whatever it's worth). I'd just be curious to hear how you see it. He clearly isn't happy with the current state of things.

You don't know the kid. Every person I've talked to about him, everyone who has actually interacted with him say he's got a great head on his shoulders, that he's an unbelievably hard worker who devotes his off-season to getting a head start on everyone. Nobody expects more out of him than himself.

He's been constantly involved in the community and enjoys interacting with people.

So no. Criticize his game as you will, but I will absolutely not stand for criticism of his character. It is pure bull####.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DOOM

No, but it sure would be nice to see Baertschi get a chance when Setoguchi has done nothing to deserve it.

What has Sven done to supplant him? Setoguchi has played better than Sven in the two games.

Other points: they've had one practice since Sven came up. Players should actually know the system to play on the PP. And Setoguchi has a particular role as cornerman and net presence, that wouldn't be the same as Sven's. If Sven came on, he'd have to replace Hudler or Gaudreau - the half board guys.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

How can Sven change his attitude when he is only getting 7 minutes of ice time? Hartley hates him!

You manage to do something noticeable with those seven minutes. Even if it just means for each shift you are first forward back each time, or you block a shot, throw a hit. Do what you can with what your given.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You don't know the kid. Every person I've talked to about him, everyone who has actually interacted with him say he's got a great head on his shoulders, that he's an unbelievably hard worker who devotes his off-season to getting a head start on everyone. Nobody expects more out of him than himself.

He's been constantly evolved in the community and enjoys interacting with people.

So no. Criticize his game as you will, but I will absolutely not stand for criticism of his character. It is pure bull####.

Yeah, that's fair. I've heard a lot of the positives too, but I just don't see a lot of evidence of it. I don't think he's a head case at all, but I do think he needs to focus on something other than himself and his development, which obviously he does a lot of as you stated. If he focused on the team game more he would probably have more success. I'm not saying he's selfish BTW, just wrapped up more in his own world than the team's.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

You manage to do something noticeable with those seven minutes. Even if it just means for each shift you are first forward back each time, or you block a shot, throw a hit. Do what you can with what your given.

I think the green was sarcasm

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

You manage to do something noticeable with those seven minutes. Even if it just means for each shift you are first forward back each time, or you block a shot, throw a hit. Do what you can with what your given.

Just an FYI, green text=sarcasm, since sarcasm is nearly undetectable in the written form. No need to respond to that post.

[GioforPM]

On not making opening day:

Trying to stay positive and trying to enjoy his 22nd birthday on Sunday afternoon, Sven Baertschi did not mask his disappointment and dejection.
“It’s frustrating,” said the Calgary Flames’ first-round selection in 2011, one of three players bound for the American Hockey League’s Adirondack Flames. “It’s something you don’t want to hear at all. All the work I’ve put into this summer and training camp and everything.
“I felt like I had my best camp as a Calgary Flame and it’s frustrating.”
....

And, sure enough, the Flames sent Baertschi along with goaltender Joni Ortio and right winger Josh Jooris to the Adirondack Flames of the American Hockey League.
Jooris, who left Union College to sign with the Flames last year, earned his extended stay and was a pleasant surprise.
“I did everything I wanted to accomplish here,” said the 24-year-old who produced two goals in his final pre-season game Thursday against the Jets. “I learned a lot and will take a lot away from it.
“It’s a little disappointing, but at the same time, it’s a positive experience and I think it just makes me hungrier being this close.”

[Cali Panthers Fan]

^^^Yes. Exactly. Sven suffers a failure and only feels disappointment with no positivity. Jooris takes it as a learning opportunity and feels encouraged by the process. Big reason why you see a difference in the players on the ice. It reminds me of this quote:

Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. ~Winston Churchill

[Roof-Daddy]

I've always liked Sven and I hope he figures it out, and with this organization too, but he's been passed by so many prospects in our system it's crazy. Two years ago he was our best prospect and it wasn't even close. Since then he's been passed by Gaudreau, Granlund, Ferland, Jooris, Monahan, and within the year he could very likely be passed by Bennett and Poirier as well for NHL roster spots as well.

[Ashasx]

Is there something wrong with Baertschi's quote?

Jooris just gave a cliche answer, as most players do. It's absolutely meaningless and the fact that you choose to compare a non-negative quote to that just further proves your reading into something and choosing to see what isn't there.

Jooris is 24 years old and likely had no expectations to make the NHL team.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I've always liked Sven and I hope he figures it out, and with this organization too, but he's been passed by so many prospects in our system it's crazy. Two years ago he was our best prospect and it wasn't even close. Since then he's been passed by Gaudreau, Granlund, Ferland, Jooris, Monahan, and within the year he could very likely be passed by Bennett and Poirier as well for NHL roster spots as well.

Yeah, exactly. Doesn't help his case either that by far our deepest depth comes at forward, specifically left wing. Bartschi isn't a versatile winger either, was tried on the right side last year but didn't work. Doesn't mean he can't adjust to his off wing down the road but right now, he's solely a left winger. More options open the more you can shift down and around the line up. Jooris, Granlund, Byron are all centers who shifted to the wing. Colborne moved from center and has looked comfortable on both the left and his off side on the right.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You don't know the kid. Every person I've talked to about him, everyone who has actually interacted with him say he's got a great head on his shoulders, that he's an unbelievably hard worker who devotes his off-season to getting a head start on everyone. Nobody expects more out of him than himself.

He's been constantly involved in the community and enjoys interacting with people.

So no. Criticize his game as you will, but I will absolutely not stand for criticism of his character. It is pure bull####.

Something wrong between the ears does not really indicate a criticism of his character. Whether it is a perceived attitude issue, him being too hard on himself, or a confidence issue that all points to Sven's problems being more mental then physical or a "problem between the ears".

In terms of the "attitude issues" though there is quite a bit of smoke there, and where there is smoke there is usually a little bit of fire.

Local media has commented on it previously, and now we have Friedman saying other teams are commenting on it as well. Starting to remind me a lot of the Phaneuf situation, we all wanted to deny that he was a problem....then poof he was traded.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Is there something wrong with Baertschi's quote?

Jooris just gave a cliche answer, as most players do. It's absolutely meaningless and the fact that you choose to compare a non-negative quote to that just further proves your reading into something and choosing to see what isn't there.

Jooris is 24 years old and likely had no expectations to make the NHL team.

OK, STOP with the "cliche answer" qualifier. If you want us to judge Sven at his word then listen to what he's saying. It's pretty negative and doesn't have anything positive to say. I'm not looking for cliches. I'm looking for him to be enthusiastic or positive for once. Not even Craig Conroy enthusiasm/positivity either, just a normal human level of it.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Is there something wrong with Baertschi's quote?

Jooris just gave a cliche answer, as most players do. It's absolutely meaningless and the fact that you choose to compare a non-negative quote to that just further proves your reading into something and choosing to see what isn't there.

Jooris is 24 years old and likely had no expectations to make the NHL team.

I'm not reading anything that isn't there. You are simply making excuses and trying to explain away every negative. How bout you show me a quote that shows Sven rccognizes what he is missing so far, that he takes criticism and demotion well, and that he wants to work on those things.

Jooris' answer was far from cliche. He sounds quite intelligent IMO.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

OK, STOP with the "cliche answer" qualifier. If you want us to judge Sven at his word then listen to what he's saying. It's pretty negative and doesn't have anything positive to say. I'm not looking for cliches. I'm looking for him to be enthusiastic or positive for once. Not even Craig Conroy enthusiasm/positivity either, just a normal human level of it.

I've listend to what he's said. There is absolutely nothing wrong in that quote.

He wants to be an NHLer. He is of course disappointed that he didn't make the team.

Does this somehow imply that he's not ready to work hard? Does it imply that he hasn't been working hard?

Sven has been the first guy on the ice for practice with ADK and is consistently the last guy off the ice. Don't tell me that, just because he doesn't say what you want him to say in interviews with the media, that he's not doing what you want him to do.

I'll "STOP" with the "cliched" answers retort when people who know nothing about Sven Baertschi stop talking like they know what he had for breakfast.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Is there something wrong with Baertschi's quote?

Not really but one concerning thing if you are a talent evaluator would be his negative outlook and defeatist attitude.

Whenever Sven has been sent down he is always very negative. While he has a right to be frustrated you can tell that he really becomes pretty much depressed when he gets sent down.

This attitude has carried over to his play since he always seems to struggle in the AHL immediately after he is demoted.

You would rather see an attitude where he is more angry then depressed, and would want to work to prove the team wrong and work his way back up. But that isn't Sven's personality so you can really fault him for that.

It does appear something that impacts his play though.