Keep an eye on Brandon Saad. He looks to have a decent shot at sticking this year and it's within the realm of possibility that he may see some time on one of the top 2 lines if he does. If that top 6 ice time happens, and he can capitalize on that opportunity, he should post some good numbers.

Why are people so convinced taht adding a young swiss player to a below average team will result in a scoring sensation?

I mean he looked good in 5 games but so have meny non-players. Plus Switzerland is not exacly a breeding ground for offensive stars.

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PIT and BOS are the only decent teams in the EAST.

What does his nationality have to do with anything? There were no scoring sensations coming out of Slovenia before Kopitar. Bartschi being Swiss is totally irrelevant.

and usually guys thrive when they are on below-average teams (which I don't think Calgary is, but I digress). Jeff Skinner was on a below average team...

I don't think he'll be a scoring sensation in his first year though.

Nationality does play a role, but moreso the development system he played in. The fact that there have been limited numbers of offensive star players out of the Swiss development system makes me a little weary. There are always the exceptions but I am more willing to rely on the more established systems.

He will not be given top line minutes, which I believe that Skinner was, but moreso he will likely be playing with an unproven C, with Hudler (who knows what you are getting) in front of a 35 year old goalie who has played a ton of games over the last 7 years.

I am looking for CAL to struggle this year. I am also intrigued to see what they turn JBo into, but I am not optimistic.

But we can already see he's an exception. He left the Swiss system two years ago and he has proven his offensive worth in the WHL, was a high draft pick, and has succeeded in short time in the NHL. The fact that's he's Swiss shouldn't deter anybody from thinking he will be good player in the NHL since he already has the pedigree.

I guess we will see but to call him the next Skinner is high praise. I wonder what you consider succeess this year 35 , 45, 55 points? On this team I think he is looking at 40-55 for 3 years plus, which may be his limit without major offensive support.

I also do not see the pedigree you refer to. Two years in the WHL does not establish pedigree.

Being drafted that highly already established his pedigree. Also his rookie year in the W was very very good, and followed it up with a great sophomore year.

55 points may be his limit?

I am probably in the minority here, but I see Calgary making the playoffs this year. They missed the 8th seed by 5 points and the 7th seed by 6 points, and did nothing but improve their team. Thats for another day though.

Bart should have an impact in his rookie season; 40-50 points if he plays a full season.

In 3 years he will be flirting with 65-70 points

i'd expect something like 30-35 for any rookie who isn't an incoming 1st overall pick or somebody like that. Anything else is gravy.

What has Baertschi done to make you so against him? He had 85 points in 66 games in his rookie year and then had 27 points in 21 playoff games. He then followed it up with 94 points in 47 games and 34 points in 22 games. He also had a good stint with Calgary scoring 3 goals in 5 games.

The fact he was drafted 13th overall and had 2 amazing years in the WHL is enough for me to say he has pedigree. His nationality doesn't have anything to do with what type of player he is. Maybe you drafted Niederreiter this year expecting huge things and didn't get them so now you have a hate on for all Swiss players? Would a guy like Jaden Schwartz who was drafted in a similar position but is Canadian have better pedigree to you?

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Straight Points keeper league. 4th year. Keep 5 Forwards,3 defence,1 goalie. *Keeper

F: Nicklas Backstrom*, Zach Parise*, Joe Thornton*, Mikko Koivu*, Jason Pominville*, Blake Wheeler, Joe Pavelski, Stephen Weiss, Derek Roy, Jakub Voracek, David Perron, David Krejci, Ryan Kesler

D: Mike Green*, Erik Karlsson*, Alex Pietrangelo*, Alex Goligoski, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dion Phaneuf

G: Ryan Miller*, Tuukka Rask

I have nothing against Baertschi. But the guy has 2 good WHL years and 3 goals in 5 NHL games. I am just not sold on him being Jeff Skinner and scoring 63 points in season 1. I am not even sold on him being a great player yet. Let's see hwat he does over an 80 game season. i am sure there are many players who have had 2 great WHL seasons.

My comment about him being Swiss was because the Swiss, historically, play a very defense oriented system and have yet to produce many (any?) top international scorers. Maybe he will be one, but the odds are not in his favor. this is not a "hate on" for swiss players, just history.

If you mention the KHL and Russiona player do you have a "hate on" for Russians?

I am sorry if all of you drafted him or have him on your farm teams but I am just not on the bandwagon. If you all think that he is the catalyst to sparl the Flames offensive juggernaught then all the power too you.

Pedigree has to do with lineage so if you are asking me if I think a Canadian born and bred and trained hockey player has a better pedigree than a swiss born and trained player, my answer is yes. how exactly are you defining pedigree?

To be clear I have nothing against the kid, if he turns out to be the best swiss born player ever I will be thrilled for him..... but what would it take to be the best swiss player ever in the NHL? Mark streit had a good career....Abesheir.. I can not think of a F.

A minimum, I will most certainly make sure I watch some flames hockey to see what all the hype is about.