Bärtschi or Etem

[dyzfunctioned]

Sven has been carrying the Winterhawks in this series against the Oil Kings, he's gone to another level.

4 GP 6+1 with 3 first stars in a row for the last three games and CHL player of the week!!

Going to the Kings game tonight, pretty pumped to watch him. He's an a whole nother level than any of the Oil Kings forwards but at least we have some sick D.

[HockeyHobo]

Going to the Kings game tonight, pretty pumped to watch him. He's an a whole nother level than any of the Oil Kings forwards but at least we have some sick D.

AND a pretty sick goalie that also happens to belong to the Flames

[dyzfunctioned]

AND a pretty sick goalie that also happens to belong to the Flames

Haha just saw this now. Flames actually have some nice depth in the goalie pipeline, something they can't really say for other positions.

Irving, Ortio and Brossoit are all looking pretty solid.

[Vancityguy]

Haha just saw this now. Flames actually have some nice depth in the goalie pipeline, something they can't really say for other positions.

Irving, Ortio and Brossoit are all looking pretty solid.

Their depth in the Goaltending department is as abysmal as the other positions, the flames need a massive amount of help. If you expect any of those guys to make a jump to the NHl anytime soon I will put money on it. Sure Irving is ready to see some NHL starts but he hasnt showen much to hope for and is 25. its possible he breaks out but I don't hold much hope past a possible steady backup.

[Vancityguy]

Unfair not to answer the orignal question, I would take Baertschi in this race even though Calgary has next to nothing to support him. His raw talent outshines Etem and it will show much sooner (next season). Don't wait for Etem to catch up, take Baertschi now and profit. I say this as an owner and fan of Etem for several years now.

[Dakkster]

Unfair not to answer the orignal question, I would take Baertschi in this race even though Calgary has next to nothing to support him. His raw talent outshines Etem and it will show much sooner (next season). Don't wait for Etem to catch up, take Baertschi now and profit. I say this as an owner and fan of Etem for several years now.

Yeah, agreed. Baertschi and it's not even close.

[dyzfunctioned]

Their depth in the Goaltending department is as abysmal as the other positions, the flames need a massive amount of help. If you expect any of those guys to make a jump to the NHl anytime soon I will put money on it. Sure Irving is ready to see some NHL starts but he hasnt showen much to hope for and is 25. its possible he breaks out but I don't hold much hope past a possible steady backup.

Umm... In case you weren't aware, Irving has kind of already made the jump.

Let's see, Schneider is 2 years older and it was 7 years after his draft until he started as a backup. Last year was Irving's 6th year since being drafted and there's a good chance he plays backup either this year or the following year. So that puts him what, 1 year behind Schneider, and thats if he doesn't play backup until 2013-14?

[Papps]

Yeah, agreed. Baertschi and it's not even close.

You say that fairly convincing..

Etem was born in June 1992 and Baertschi in Oct 1992.. However Etem did play 1 more level of WHL prior to Baertschi. Baertschi was playing for Langenthal in the Swiss-B league..

I've watched Etem since he got to Medicine Hat... This kid is great.. Speed Grit and determination.. In the offseason he rollerblades 2 hours to workout in California then back.. Watch out for him.. Not only was he the first player since 2001 (Layne Ulmer) in the WHL to score 50 goals in 50 games but also scored 61 in 65 games that same year..

Check out how Etem stacks up to other top WHL season..

Year Player Age Team GP G
2005 Eric Fehr 19 Brandon 71 59
1999 Pavel Brendl 17 Calgary 68 73
2004 Nigel Dawes 18 Kootenay 56 47
2012 Emerson Etem 19 Medicine Hat 51 51
2000 Pavel Brendl 18 Calgary 61 59
2005 Nigel Dawes 19 Kootenay 63 50
2004 Jeremy Williams 19 Swift Current 68 52
2010 Jordan Eberle 19 Regina 57 50
2006 Dustin Boyd 19 Moose Jaw 64 48
2004 Eric Fehr 18 Brandon 71 50
2009 Jamie Benn 19 Kelowna 56 46
2012 Ty Rattie 18 Portland 53 44
2012 Brendan Gallagher 19 Vancouver 41 34
2003 Joffrey Lupul 19 Medicine Hat 50 41
2006 Justin Keller 19 Kelowna 72 51

Keep in mind goals in the WHL have been at a decline since 2000 and he's still managing to put up great numbers.

With all this in mind I'd still take Baertschi for next year because he's going to be a top 6.. He's also on a team with alot of older players that should be at the end of life within the next 3-5 years.

Just don't discount what Etem can bring to a team.. He's a Beast.. (also watch for Hunter Shinkaruk in the 2013 draft.. He's unreal right now for Medicine Hat..)

[angus]

Very different players who dominated in very different ways.

I'd take Bartschi but you could make an argument for either.