Naibaf85

Do not repeat the Flames mistakes in Vancouver! Sven is a very talented hockey player. He has speed, gifted hands and a rare ability to read the game, every asset a future star needs to have. His coach in Portland spotted all his talents and all he did, he told Sven to go out on the ice and do his thing. Baertschi did what he was told and excelled! People in the Flames Organization got excited too and drafted him. Towards the end of the season they called him up from Portland for two or three games to get the feel of the NHL. A very young guy, nervous but excited and full of hopes showed up. And you know what, Iggy Iginla told him to calm down, go out on the ice and do his thing. Baertschi did as told and excelled, starting the Svensentional hype in Calgary. Unfortunately over summertime the Flames made some management changes and in training camp the new guys had different ideas and didn't keep the promises they gave him a year earlier. They put the potential first or second liner on the third or fourth grinder line and when the team lost the game they told him his defensive play wasn't good enough , sending him down to improve on that subject. How stupid must that have sounded to a guy who scored 94 points (33 goals, 61 assists) in only 47 games during his last Portland season? Baertschi knew he wouldn't get happy on a team unable to play his style of hockey and he was fair enough to tell the management that h e wouldn't sign with the Flames again. A lucky bounce for the Canucks. Vancouver sent him to Utica to meet up with his former Portland coach and to regain his confidence. And you know what, his coach said, Sven go out there and do your thing. Sven did just that, scoring 7 goals and 6 assists in only 12 games. enough for the Canucks to call him up. I hope the Canucks will give Sven the chance he deserves and do not repeat the Flames mistakes. If so, Sven will reward the fans with exciting hockey! Well he is up almost to his par, 3 games 2 goals!