Calgary Flames Prospect Rankings: #1 Sven Baertschi
By Joe
The top-rated prospect in the Calgary Flames prospect pool is the face of the future Flames: Sven Baertschi. Drafted 13th-overall in 2011, Baertschi split the 2012-13 campaign between Abbotsford and Calgary where he totaled 26 points in 30 games in the American Hockey League.
Baertschi easily could have suited up in all 48 games last season with the Flames, but the Swiss-native would have been playing on the fourth line and only managing a few minutes a game. He could develop more playing on the Heat’s top line in the AHL. In 25 career NHL games, Baertschi has recorded 6 goals and 7 assists.
The 20-year old signed an entry-level contract in 2011 but saved a year by not playing more than 9 games in the NHL during the 2011-12 season. Baertschi’s three-year contract expires after the 2014-15 season with an annual cap hit of $1,425,417.
Weighing in at 190 and standing at 5-11, Baertschi is a natural scorer and has amassed 210 points in just 156 career games with Portland of the WHL. In the 2010-11 season, he had the most goals, assists and points as a rookie while also competing in the CHL Top Prospects Game.
Via Hockey’s Future –
“Baerstchi is a good two-way player with high-end offensive talent. The playmaking winger has really improved his skating explosiveness while learning to change speed to throw off the defender. Since being drafted in 2011, he has really improved his vision and hockey sense as well as his overall game. The first rounder clearly projects as a top line forward. His work ethic, passion, desire and attitude to be the best are top notch.”
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The Complete Calgary Flames Prospect Rankings:
#10. Morgan Klimchuk
#9. Emile Poirier
#8. Max Reinhart
#7. Tyler Wotherspoon
#6. Corban Knight
#5. Jon Gillies
#4. Mark Jankowski
#3. Johnny Gaudreau
#2. Sean Monahan
#1. Sven Baertschi