[News] Baertschi assigned to Abbotsford. Backlund activated off IR - Page 8 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

JayP · 03-11-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Begin and McGrattan are role players fulfilling 4th line energy/tough guy roles. Do you insert Sven into either of their places?

I don't mind Sven getting some more time in the minors, but why exactly does the 4th line have to be filled with energy/tough guys. Why can't we get players good at hockey instead?

Mith · 03-11-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kehatch

Possibly. But to play devils advocate was this a development decision or a hockey decision?

Showing patience in a prospect and letting them know that they don't have to worry about a pit opening up underneath them isn't a bad approach either.

Rumors of scratches, demotion to the fourth line at a time he was playing well, an eventual scratch, and now a demotion. Getting no PP time regardless of play as the veterans are given time to find their game. The GM confusing the issue with his 'the upset special' comments that put even more pressure on him that he should be on the Flames. This with only 10-games played.

If the Flames weren't loaded with veterans and had development of our top prospects as the primary focus would Baertschi be demoted? Is Hartley the right coach for our prospects? If the answer is yes then okay. I am fine with him going down. If the answer is no I am not. We are in 15 overall and he is our only AAA prospect. The focus needs to be on his development.

They could also be sending him down to avoid the media crapstorm when the team starts selling. That's a crap environment to have a prospect playing in too, and you don't want him sitting in a dressing room full of guys that are wondering where their job is going to be in a few short weeks and are feeling mopey/nervous.

Goodlad · 03-11-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mith

They could also be sending him down to avoid the media crapstorm when the team starts selling. That's a crap environment to have a prospect playing in too, and you don't want him sitting in a dressing room full of guys that are wondering where their job is going to be in a few short weeks and are feeling mopey/nervous.

Yeah, I think that's probably just wishful thinking. But man do I hope you're right.

Phanuthier · 03-11-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesfever

St. Louis didn't live up to his potential on the Flames because Sutter used him as a 4th line checker. He even stated later that he was grateful for his experience with the Flames, as it greatly improved his defensive ability.

As a STH in those years, I watched him closely and believed him to be an outstanding potential, and was extremely disappointed when he was not signed. In fact, towards the end of the season, I phoned Bremner and told him whatever he did he should not get rid of Martin St. Louis. He sent me a clock, and I call it my Martin St. Louis clock.

I recall during the summer, after losing him, telling my brother-in-law, who spends the winters in the Tampa Bay area, to keep and eye out for Martin St. Louis, and he said, "Martin who?" Needless to say, the rest is history.

I don't think St. Louis really started to shine, until someone took a chance on him, and started playing him on the top line.

Did they really send you a clock? That is hilarious.

Anyways, with his confidence completely destroyed and him playing like a tired vet, he needed to get it back. Hopefully he does... and hopefully next round, he gets a more realistic shot (ex. better minutes, not having Comeau as his center)

_Q_ · 03-11-2013, 10:37 AM

I think after the team sells off some assets, Baertschi will be back. There's just too many 1 way contracts on the roster and it was a simple numbers game. With that said, I do think he was playing like hot garbage during his time here and playing in the AHL will be good for him. As it stands right now, I think Horak is a better player (at this point in their careers) and would actually like to see him as the next call up.

Goodlad · 03-11-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Q_

I think after the team sells off some assets, Baertschi will be back. There's just too many 1 way contracts on the roster and it was a simple numbers game. With that said, I do think he was playing like hot garbage during his time here and playing in the AHL will be good for him. As it stands right now, I think Horak is a better player (at this point in their careers) and would actually like to see him as the next call up.

I actually agree with this. Horak is definitely more NHL ready right now. Baertschi just isn't strong enough yet, and no amount of ice-time was going to change that. Obviously Sven has a much higher ceiling, but spending some time getting big minutes in the AHL right now, and spending the off-season in the gym putting on some strength is going to be the best thing for Baertschi in the long run (IMO). I'm not overly concerned with Sven's development right now. The type of players that this situation "ruins" are guys that don't really have any business in the NHL anyways. Sven is the type of player that is always looking to improve his game, and now that he knows what he needs to succeed in the bigs I'm confident he'll put in the work to get there.

Erick Estrada · 03-11-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodlad

I actually agree with this. Horak is definitely more NHL ready right now. Baertschi just isn't strong enough yet, and no amount of ice-time was going to change that. Obviously Sven has a much higher ceiling, but spending some time getting big minutes in the AHL right now, and spending the off-season in the gym putting on some strength is going to be the best thing for Baertschi in the long run (IMO). I'm not overly concerned with Sven's development right now. The type of players that this situation "ruins" are guys that don't really have any business in the NHL anyways. Sven is the type of player that is always looking to improve his game, and now that he knows what he needs to succeed in the bigs I'm confident he'll put in the work to get there.

Roman Horak wasn't that great when called up and Hartley certainly doesn't think he was NHL ready.

puckluck2 · 03-11-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Roman Horak wasn't that great when called up and Hartley certainly doesn't think he was NHL ready.

If Horak wasn't that great and not NHL ready then 9 of our 12 forwards aren't NHL ready either.

Goodlad · 03-11-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Roman Horak wasn't that great when called up and Hartley certainly doesn't think he was NHL ready.

Well, he had more points in less games than Baertschi. He also was better defensively and didn't get knocked off the puck as easily as Sven. Also of note, Hartley clearly doesn't consider Baertschi NHL ready either.

genetic_phreek · 03-11-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Q_

I think after the team sells off some assets, Baertschi will be back. There's just too many 1 way contracts on the roster and it was a simple numbers game. With that said, I do think he was playing like hot garbage during his time here and playing in the AHL will be good for him. As it stands right now, I think Horak is a better player (at this point in their careers) and would actually like to see him as the next call up.

I don't think he had a legitimate opportunity to prove himself with crap minutes, no pp time, and being on bottom 6 lines. Also, in regards to playing like hot garbage I don't think its fair to single him out because the whole team has been playing like this.

When they had Horak, Backlund, Baertschi as a line they were superb.

Stay Golden · 03-11-2013, 11:08 AM

Sven needs to get stronger to matter in the NHL.
Play a pile of minutes and on the PP with the Heat.
Maybe we see him after the trade deadline if he shows a bounce back in confidence while down there.
I don't think he gets recalled because of the Glencross injury either.

Nasty · 03-11-2013, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckluck2

If Horak wasn't that great and not NHL ready then 9 of our 12 forwards aren't NHL ready either.

maybe even 10 of our 12

calumniate · 03-11-2013, 11:09 AM

Victim of a numbers game with our failure to trim down the number of D from 8

Flash Walken · 03-11-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calumniate

Victim of a numbers game with our failure to trim down the number of D from 8

Having two untradeable sacks of potatoes making 4.5 million dollars in the pressbox is a pretty big issue that has received virtually no attention.

By the way, they are both Jay Feaster specials, above market value with NTCs.

_Q_ · 03-11-2013, 11:25 AM

I think with Horak, he needs to play as a winger to be effective. Problem with the last call-up, is he was expected to play as a centre, which he hasn't done all season. Even still, he didn't look out of place playing as a centre, he just wasn't very effective in that role. He didn't hurt the team though.

Flash Walken · 03-11-2013, 11:28 AM

I don't really care if a guy likes playing wing or centre in the minors.

Horak is a freakin' NHL quality centre right now and the team needs centres. Just because Ben Street plays centre down in the AHL and Horak doesn't like to play defense doesn't matter to me.

Phanuthier · 03-11-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Having two untradeable sacks of potatoes making 4.5 million dollars in the pressbox is a pretty big issue that has received virtually no attention.

By the way, they are both Jay Feaster specials, above market value with NTCs.

I'm a little surprised that goes unnoticed... thats almost on the order of a Wade Redden screw up.

Tinordi · 03-11-2013, 11:33 AM

Yeah the fail that is the Babchuk signing gets very little attention compared to the amount of heat Comeau gets. At least Comeau is on the roster. Babchuk, jesus, what the hell is going on there?

The Professor · 03-11-2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I'm a little surprised that goes unnoticed... thats almost on the order of a Wade Redden screw up.

We've been fortunate to have no injuries to our D core this year. Otherwise, those gents would be in action. IMO Babchuk was never needed, but I can see why you would assume we might need them at the start of the year.

Flash Walken · 03-11-2013, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I'm a little surprised that goes unnoticed... thats almost on the order of a Wade Redden screw up.

It's worth than Keith Ballard, who can actually still play even if it's terribly (babchuk by contrast cannot play NHL hockey), doesn't have a No-Trade and only occupies one roster spot.

It's a colossal blunder. It's the difference between having Olli Jokinen and not.

Hmmm, would you prefer a legitimate top 6 centre, or two unmovable anchors that are on a first name basis with the pressbox ushers?