Sven Baertschi, Re-Introducing Your Calgary Flames

Oct 26, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Sven Baertschi (47) during the first period against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

March 8, 2012

Kostopoulos-Nemisz-BaertschiBaertschi will start his NHL career on the third line.

Baertschi would score 3 goals in five games filling the role of injury replacement player.

April 7, 2013

#NHLFlames have recalled Sven Baertschi from the #AHLHeatBaertschi has 10 goals and 16 assists in 32 AHL games this season. He has just one assist in 10 games with the Flames this season.

In 10 games played in April, Baertschi would collect 3 goals and 6 assists.

December 12, 2013

The Flames have assigned Sven Baertschi to Abbotsford (AHL).Baertschi struggled in his 26 games with the Flames. He registered only two goals and nine assists with a minus-4 rating. He was the 13th overall pick in 2011 after he ripped up the Western Hockey league, but he has not developed into the scoring threat the Flames envisioned when they selected him. However this is common with young players and Sven is only 21-years-old and still has a bright future ahead of him. He heads to Abbotsford to develop his game and could find himself back in Calgary soon.

Sven Baertschi never would be called back up to the Calgary Flames.Thanks to Dailyfaceoff.com for providing me with a great timeline to help re-introduce Sven Baertschi to the Flame For Thought family.

The Hockey News touts Baertschi as follows:

Assests: Possesses amazing puck skills and offensive instincts.  Works extremely hard at his game, and he’s also not afraid of playing in high-traffic areas.  Is equally successful at playmaking and sniping.Flaws: Doesn’t have ideal size for the National Hockey League game, though he has time to fill out.  Also needs to up his physical game to keep opponents honest, while remaining vigilent with hits against him.

Sven Baertschi turns 22 years old three days before the Calgary Flames regular season begins.  Largely unproven with only 51 NHL games, I have come across a couple other blogs already downgrading from top of the ladder prospect to mid-level prospect.

I believe the item working the most against Baertschi is the fact is he is a left winger on a team chalk full of left wingers.  Curtis Glencross and Mason Raymond are seemingly locks for roster spots (remember we live in a world where Wayne Gretzky was traded multiple times).  Brandon Bollig and Johnny Gaudreau also seem to strong contenders for roster spots.  Where’s does that leave Sven Baertschi?