Flames fans: 'Take a deep breath' on Baertschi

With Flames prospect Sven Baertschi winning AHL Player of the Week honours, the young forward has finally been getting some well-deserved positive press after working hard to round out his game in the minors.

A salient perspective from Craig Conroy, via The Calgary Sun, who is now the special assistant to the GM with the Flames and also oversees day-to-day hockey operations with the Heat.

“That’s the misconception — everybody thinks, ‘Well, he got sent to the minors — that’s it,’ ” said Conroy. “If he can come in and help Calgary next year, that’s exactly what he’s going to do. I mean, he’s 21 years old. If everyone takes a deep breath, look at maybe Backlund and see where he’s at this year and how he’s really taken strides.”

More Conroy.

“I might have been as guilty as anyone. Sven had such success early, and I expected so much — and maybe it was unrealistic,” Conroy said. “Moving forward, I don’t think we want to put all those expectations on him, because it is such a jump to play in the NHL. And then, to be a star in the NHL is even another step.

“But I think he’s going about it the right way. He’s down there, he’s got a good attitude, he’s working hard, and he’s with the other young guys, and they’re kind of feeding off each other. That’s all part of becoming a pro.

“He’s gone through some good times and some bad times. Now, looking toward next year, he has to think, ‘What do I have to do to be on the Calgary Flames?’ This is going to be a huge summer for him.

“He’s gotta dedicate himself, and he’s gotta come in here and show us, ‘Hey, I don’t want to be in the minors anymore.’ ” 

Baertschi himself is quoted in the article and you can tell he has taken the situation to heart and is doing everything he can to improve himself where needed to get back to the NHL.

Source: Wes Gilbertson, Calgary Sun