Called up, but he doesn’t get the call
TOP-SIX PROSPECT: Winger Baertschi has to watch Canucks teammates play Game 4 against former squad
Sven Baertschi is a lot of things. Speedy. Skilled. Motivated.
Saviour isn’t in the summation because the book on the Vancouver Canucks winger includes a disconnect chapter with the Calgary Flames. He wanted out, and got his wish at the trade deadline.
Upon his departure to the Utica Comets, after scoring twice for the Canucks in the regular-season finale, Baertschi had this to say about resurfacing before next fall.
“If there’s chance that I get in the playoffs, great,” he said. “If not, just go with it because you never know. Things can change quick.”
They did after Tuesday morning. Linden Vey and Brandon McMillan found themselves in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarter-final — not the recalled Baertschi — and that created quite the pre-game buzz. Nick Bonino started between Shawn Matthias and Radim Vrbata, and Vey was between Chris Higgins and McMillan — because of a banged-up Brad Richardson and morning-skate drama that resulted in a broken rib for Alex Burrows.
It meant Jannik Hansen would start with Henrik and Daniel Sedin, putting Derek Dorsett with Ronalds Kenins and Bo Horvat, and it naturally started some second-guessing.
Burrows was struck by a puck, left the Saddledome in an ambulance, has a broken rib and was expected to be released from hospital Tuesday night and possibly travel to Vancouver with the club.
He had been cleared to play after having his instigator penalty rescinded following a late-game fight with Kris Russell on Sunday.
Willie Desjardins was understandably coy about his lineup before the Burrows development, and it sounded like Baertschi was a strong consideration to play his first NHL playoff game against his former club to add more spice to an already heated series.
He was actually recalled Monday night, so the club was obviously considering change because Burrows was likely injured in the Russell bout. And judging by the morning comments in the room, it seemed like Baertschi was going to get the call.
“I’m sure he’s got lots to prove in a game like this,” said Canucks winger Hansen.
“The three games we saw late in the season, he came as advertised and put a lot of pucks in the net.”
Well, just two. However, the 22-year-old Baertschi, who has been labelled a top-six forward by the Canucks and is a big part of their future, had to watch Game 4.
The Canucks gave up a 2015 second-round pick for the Swiss native, the 13th overall pick in the 2011 draft, and sitting him seemed somewhat odd. But Desjardins is loyal to his veterans, even though he pumped up Baertschi.
“He’s a guy who can break open a game,” said Desjardins. “He’s a topsix guy and that’s the way he plays. He’s a good young player and he would be excited to play, it would be good for him. Emotion is great — you just have to have the mindset to control it.
Said Flames coach Bob Hartley: “Sven grew up in our organization and we kind of got caught in a (roster) jam where we had to make a decision. His agent wasn’t happy and we satisfied everyone.”
Baertschi is satisfied to have a second chance after teasing the Flames with three goals in five games as a March 2012 recall. However, when Brian Burke was named president of hockey operations for the Flames on Sept. 5, 2013, it was beginning of the end for Baertschi. His game and resolve were questioned. He was demoted, and when he said he wouldn’t re-sign when his entry-level deal expired, it more than caught the Canucks’ attention.
They saw potential, not just 25 points in 61 games with the Flames.
He had seven goals and 15 points in 15 games with the Comets and is part of the rebuild-on-the-fly project as the Canucks try to stay competitive and get younger and faster at the same time.
“It’s all about me pushing,” said Baertschi. “I just want to prove I can play in this league and prove that they (Canucks) got the right player. It’s a dream and this is a restart for me because I went through some tough times.
“Whenever you get criticized, you try to put it aside. But when you’re told over and over again that you’re not good defensively, then at some point, you’re not good defensively anymore. Players got called up and it’s shoved right in front of your face. Did I deal with it the right way? I don’t know. I matured a lot.”
He had to. When you’re suddenly the toast of the town, it’s easier to think that you have arrived when there’s still a lot of work to do.”
“When I scored those goals (three in five games), the expectations were through the roof,” recalled Baertschi. “You come up for five games, you have no idea what the NHL is like. You’re there and gone again and there’s no pressure. If you make a mistake, they may let it slip.”