Sven "Fricken" Bartschi! - Page 7 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

kirant · 11-28-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, are you suggesting that you expect Baertschi's potential to be comparable to Backlund's? I'm not entirely sure what you mean by this, and I think you need to elaborate.

I think when Bartschi comes up, he'll be close to what we got quality wise out of Backlund, not style of play. What my intent was to say is to not expect a 45-55 point scorer...expect a player who was as good as Backlund in his 1st year here (but plays more of a sniper's game, not a two-way playmaker).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Furthermore, I am not clear on how you draw this comparable between a second-year WHL player and a player who played his whole juniour career in Tier-2 SEL, with only a brief stint in Canadian Juniour. Please elaborate.

I keep referring to Backlund as he's been our most recent graduate. I think a player that would much better as reference is Jordan Eberle. He had similar point totals in his last year as Bartschi had this year. Between the two, I think Eberle has made a smoother jump than Bartschi will, so my expectations are a little tapered to that end. Not to mention, Eberle got 1st line time, whereas I don't think Bartschi will.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

At present, I am cautiously optimistic that Baertschi's ceiling is and always has been a lot higher than Backlund's. I really like Backlund, but he lacks the sorts of intangibles in his game that have many projecting Baertschi to be a star.

Agreed. Bartschi has a much higher scoring ceiling and probably a higher one over all. Backlund's abilities line him a lot like Langkow in style of play and will probably end up close to that as a maximum.

Textcritic · 11-28-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirant

I think when Bartschi comes up, he'll be close to what we got quality wise out of Backlund, not style of play. What my intent was to say is to not expect a 45-55 point scorer...expect a player who was as good as Backlund in his 1st year here (but plays more of a sniper's game, not a two-way playmaker)...

[...and other stuff]

Fair enough, and for the most part I agree. But I do think that you are selling Baertschi severely short in your expectations. I see no reason whatsoever not to expect him to have a great NHL rookie season. There just doesn't appear to me to be any part of his game at present that will hold him back from making an immediate impact at the NHL level, and that is a HUGE difference from where Backlund was when he began his NHL career.

kirant · 11-28-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Fair enough, and for the most part I agree. But I do think that you are selling Baertschi severely short in your expectations. I see no reason whatsoever not to expect him to have a great NHL rookie season. There just doesn't appear to me to be any part of his game at present that will hold him back from making an immediate impact at the NHL level, and that is a HUGE difference from where Backlund was when he began his NHL career.

I think the difference is that Bartschi just hasn't faced opponents of this big before and he'll need to learn how to deal with those hits. In the WHL, he seems to be fine just shaking them...in the NHL, I'm a little concerned with how he'll deal with getting bumped by bigger players. I am hopefull though that his excellent lateral mobility plays more to it, as this issue seems to be fought through by players like Skinner and Bartschi easiest.

Not to mention a bit of a depth problem on the Flames wings...Tanguay-Iginla seem to be forever stuck together, leaving Glencross, Bourque, and possibly Comeau and Stempniak to fight with Bartschi for top 6 time. If he actually beats them, great. I'm just not sure he will be able to do it at the age of 19.

Vinny01 · 11-28-2011, 03:00 PM

Weisbroad is on the FAN and he mentions it was really hard for the Flames to send him back this year. "He is a man playing with boys at the WHL level"

868904 · 11-28-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirant

I think the difference is that Bartschi just hasn't faced opponents of this big before and he'll need to learn how to deal with those hits. In the WHL, he seems to be fine just shaking them...in the NHL, I'm a little concerned with how he'll deal with getting bumped by bigger players. .

In the preseason, I thought he handled the physical play very well. I don't think it's going to be an issue with him. He's a real stocky guy.

I know what you are saying about juniors adjusting to playing against men, but Baerstchi is no Dustin Boyd. He has core strength and stays on his skates when hit and in one on one battles, the kid is solid.

iggyoi · 11-28-2011, 04:07 PM

That's enough, bring him up!

Robbob · 11-28-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Weisbroad is on the FAN and he mentions it was really hard for the Flames to send him back this year. "He is a man playing with boys at the WHL level"

That really isn't to far off. He has had a 2.3 ppg clip going for a bit. Although it is good for his confidence I think he could use a bit more adversity, which IMO will come at the WJC and the WHL playoffs.

getbak · 11-28-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iggyoi

That's enough, bring him up!

Can't. He can only join the Flames or Heat after his WHL season is done.

At this point, it looks like the Winterhawks will be playing a longer season than the Flames, but if the Heat go on a long run and the Winterhawks get eliminated early, he could potentially join the Heat for the playoffs.

FAN · 11-28-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

At present, I am cautiously optimistic that Baertschi's ceiling is and always has been a lot higher than Backlund's. I really like Backlund, but he lacks the sorts of intangibles in his game that have many projecting Baertschi to be a star.

To be fair, there were scouts who projected Backlund as a potential top 10 pick with #1C upside in his draft year. They play different games and played in different developmental leagues for the most part, but as a draft prospect, I don't think there's much separating Backlund and Baertschi.

Roof-Daddy · 11-28-2011, 04:59 PM

Weren't some people calling Bartschi "Mini-Hossa" when we drafted him.

Comparing Sven to Marian in a lot of ways?

Hustle · 11-28-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Weren't some people calling Bartschi "Mini-Hossa" when we drafted him.

Comparing Sven to Marian in a lot of ways?

Hossa was the most frequently mentioned comparable. TSN had him projected as a Loui Eriksson type also (Kind of weird seeing as both these guys are bigger than Sven... but fair enough)

Regardless, he looks like he could be a player down the line for us.

Hockey_Ninja · 11-28-2011, 07:58 PM

http://www.whl.ca/video/index/id/1322502256

Video highlights of Bartschi's 4 point night last night. A few nice passes on Rattie's goals.

CGY12 · 11-28-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

http://www.whl.ca/video/index/id/1322502256

Video highlights of Bartschi's 4 point night last night. A few nice passes on Rattie's goals.

From watching all the highlites and videos, he reminds me a lot of Patick Kane.

Trailer Fire · 11-28-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CGY12

From watching all the highlites and videos, he reminds me a lot of Patick Kane.

I would love an attatudeless Patrick Kane on Calgary. If Sven adopts the whole "I'm a giant dirty ######" air to him, count me out.

Miniac · 11-28-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

I would love an attatudeless Patrick Kane on Calgary. If Sven adopts the whole "I'm a giant dirty ######" air to him, count me out.

As long as he doesn't assault a cab driver

Miniac · 11-28-2011, 10:09 PM

And no trashy mullet lol

littlereddevil · 11-28-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

I would love an attatudeless Patrick Kane on Calgary. If Sven adopts the whole "I'm a giant dirty ######" air to him, count me out.

I highly doubt there's even the chance that happens.

From what we've heard about him from his coaches, teammates, Bartschi will develop into a very well-respected player.

CGY12 · 11-28-2011, 10:35 PM

The guy is a great player and his confidence level helps that. Anyways the point I was trying to make was Bartschi's skills (skating, vision, stature, stick handling) reminds me a lot of Kane.

nightfx · 11-28-2011, 11:34 PM

He does look a lot like Kane on the ice

MisterJoji · 11-29-2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirant

I think the difference is that Bartschi just hasn't faced opponents of this big before and he'll need to learn how to deal with those hits. In the WHL, he seems to be fine just shaking them...in the NHL, I'm a little concerned with how he'll deal with getting bumped by bigger players. I am hopefull though that his excellent lateral mobility plays more to it, as this issue seems to be fought through by players like Skinner and Bartschi easiest.

I don't think this is as much of a problem as it was in the late 90's, early/mid 2000's. Not to say that players aren't bigger in the NHl vs the WHL, because they are, but with the crackdown on blindside hits and a faster game in general I don't see it as a huge issue. If RNH has avoided a crushing hit 1/4 into the season I see no reason why Sven couldnt do the same.

Sven: 5'10" / 184 lbs
RNH: 6'0" / 173 lbs