Following a trade request in December, Canucks forward Sven Baertschi knows the decision to move him ultimately rests with Vancouver with one season left on his contract.
"I don't want to be back in the minors ... It’s up to them (Canucks management) really what they’re going to do next. That’s their job and that’s what they do. I’m just going to work my ass off going forward making sure I’m ready to go to whatever camp I’m going to," Baertschi said, according to TSN's Jeff Paterson.
"I have no plans of going back to Switzerland or to Europe - I think personally I can play on any team in the National Hockey League. I can do it. I can just focus on myself and making sure I’m ready for another year. I think I’ve proved to everybody that was worried before. I'm 100% healthy, my game's going well and I'm preparing for whatever is next."
The 27-year-old was placed on waivers at the beginning of the 2019-20 season after failing to crack the Canucks' opening roster. He appeared in six NHL games this season, tallying two assists. He skated in 43 contests with the AHL's Utica Comets, recording 13 goals and 46 points.
After spending nearly a full season in the minors, he believes he's ready to be a full-time NHL player again.
"There were some moments in the AHL when I thought there are some darn good players - like really, really skilled players. Sometimes I looked at it as the best players aren’t always in the NHL," Baertschi said. "There are definitely some players in the AHL that don’t belong there. For me, it was more confirmation that I don’t belong there in many ways. I don’t want to be rude or look down on people, but the way I look at the game is a lot different than a lot of other guys."
Baertschi has appeared in 291 career games with the Canucks and Calgary Flames, recording 66 goals and 138 points.
After looking at each NHL team's biggest busts, theScore's hockey editors are examining the league's best draft steals. With some exceptions in extreme circumstances, the players included must have made significant contributions to the organization that drafted them. Today, we're focusing on the Metropolitan Division.
The pick: Sebastian Aho (No. 35, 2015) GM responsible: Ron Francis (2014-18) Honorable mentions: Jaccob Slavin (No. 120, 2012), Erik Cole (No. 71, 1998), Sami Kapanen (No. 87, 1995)
We're focusing on the Hurricanes here and not the franchise's previous iteration in Hartford. Aho wasn't a late-round pick, and the 2015 draft featured arguably the best class of the last decade. However, now that we have five years of hindsight, it's clear that more than a dozen teams - including the Boston Bruins with three straight picks - passed over Aho for worse options.
The 22-year-old has scored 121 goals in fewer than four full NHL seasons and has racked up 149 points over his last 150 regular-season games.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen would've been a steal for the Hurricanes after they selected him 187th overall in 2010, but the two sides couldn't agree on a contract and the Anaheim Ducks snagged Andersen in the third round of the 2012 draft.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / Getty
The pick: Elvis Merzlikins (No. 76, 2014) GM responsible: Jarmo Kekalainen (2013-present) Honorable mentions: Cam Atkinson (No. 157, 2008), Steve Mason (No. 69, 2006)
Merzlikins has played in fewer games than Atkinson and he was drafted 81 picks earlier, but there's no denying that he's already more important to the Blue Jackets given the position he plays and the promise he's shown. Meanwhile, the franchise doesn't have many other steals to chose from.
Atkinson has provided solid value as a sixth-rounder, burying 41 goals last season and scoring 35 in 2016-17. But just imagine how much earlier Merzlikins would have been selected if the league had known he'd post a .923 save percentage (including a .931 mark at five-on-five) over his first 33 NHL games.
Goalies are generally drafted later because their development is unpredictable, but getting a netminder of this caliber in the middle of the third round was a coup for Columbus. Speaking of goaltenders, Mason won the Calder Trophy with the Blue Jackets but ultimately enjoyed better seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. Merzlikins will be in the Calder conversation himself, whenever that occurs.
New Jersey Devils
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The pick: Patrik Elias (No. 51, 1994) GM responsible: Lou Lamoriello (1987-2015) Honorable mentions: Adam Henrique (No. 82, 2008), Brian Gionta (No. 82, 1998), Slava Fetisov (No. 145, 1983), Pat Verbeek (No. 43, 1982)
It's a little hard to believe that Elias slipped to the second-last pick of the second round, but European scouting in 1994 wasn't what it is now. In any case, the retired Czech forward was the Devils' biggest-ever draft steal. He carved out a stellar 20-year career after being passed over with the first 50 picks, playing a key role on two championship teams and piling up 1,025 points across 1,240 games, all with New Jersey.
Elias is the Devils' all-time leader in goals, assists, and points, and he ranks third all time in games played for the club.
New York Islanders
Anna Sergeeva / National Hockey League / Getty
The pick: Anders Lee (No. 152, 2009) GM responsible: Garth Snow (2006-2018) Honorable mentions: Travis Hamonic (No. 53, 2008), Zdeno Chara (No. 56, 1996).
Lee was vastly overlooked until the Islanders nabbed him with the first selection of the sixth round in '09, but he's given New York plenty of value. The 29-year-old forward collected at least 25 goals in four of his first five full NHL seasons - potting 40 in 2017-18 - and he was on pace to near 25 again this year before the pause in March.
More importantly, Lee has played his entire eight-year career with the Islanders so far and has worn the "C" since 2018-19.
Chara's the obvious runner-up as the best player in this group, but the Islanders failed to maximize that pick, so he can't be considered a true steal for New York. The towering blue-liner played his best hockey (and accomplished far more) with the Bruins, while the Islanders would come to regret trading "Big Z" to the Ottawa Senators after only four years, especially because they got a diminishing Alexei Yashin in return.
New York Rangers
Elsa / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The pick: Henrik Lundqvist (No. 205, 2000) GM responsible: Glen Sather (2000-15) Honorable mentions: Igor Shesterkin (No. 118, 2014), Ryan Callahan (No. 127, 2004), Sergei Zubov (No. 85, 1990), Tony Amonte (No. 68, 1988)
This one's a slam dunk, as "King Henrik" is easily the biggest steal in Rangers history. Sather scooped Lundqvist up in the seventh round - four rounds later than the Dallas Stars selected his twin brother, Joel - and it was a pick that forever altered the franchise for the better. Henrik became one of the greatest goaltenders ever and arguably the best netminder ever to play for the club.
Before his performance began to decline over the last few years, Lundqvist provided stability (and at times, brilliance) in the Rangers' crease for more than a decade, winning the Vezina Trophy in 2012 and helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.
Shesterkin has flashed plenty of skill through his first dozen NHL games, and the team clearly hopes the young Russian's career path follows that of his Swedish predecessor.
Philadelphia Flyers
Denis Brodeur / National Hockey League / Getty
The pick: Rick Tocchet (No. 121, 1983) GM responsible: Bob McCammon (1983-84) Honorable mentions: Carter Hart (48th, 2016), Roman Cechmanek (No. 171, 2000), Ron Hextall (No. 119, 1982)
After being selected in the sixth round, Tocchet became one of the most dependable scorers of his time, enjoying parts of eight very productive seasons with the Flyers to begin his career and ultimately suiting up for the franchise in 11 of his 18 NHL campaigns. He topped the 30-goal mark four straight times with Philadelphia from 1987-88 through 1990-91 and buried at least 40 markers twice during that span. While he won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992 and produced his career-best season with them the following year, he spent more time with the Flyers and was beloved in Philadelphia.
Plus, the trade that sent Tocchet to Pittsburgh netted the Flyers one Mark Recchi, who put up 53 goals and 123 points for Philadelphia before notching 40 and 107, respectively, the following campaign.
Shayne Gostisbehere was a good get for Philadelphia at 78th overall in 2012, but he hasn't enjoyed prolonged success and has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in recent years. Patrick Sharp would've been a steal for the Flyers, but he barely produced with the team upon entering the league and was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks - with whom he excelled - in a package that yielded an underwhelming return.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty
The pick: Kris Letang (No. 62, 2005) GM responsible: Craig Patrick (1989-2006) Honorable mentions: Jake Guentzel (No. 77, 2013), Matt Murray (No. 83, 2012), Bryan Rust (No. 80, 2010), Max Talbot (No. 234, 2002), Recchi (No. 67, 1988)
Letang played a key role on two of the Penguins' championship squads (2009 and 2016) and was part of another in 2017 before suffering a season-ending injury in February of that year. He's been an elite defenseman for more than a decade and would be a sure-fire first-rounder if teams could redo the 2005 draft.
Murray backstopped Pittsburgh to its two most recent titles, but he hasn't had the same level of sustained success. Recchi won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 1991 and produced a couple of solid seasons with the team to start his career, but he played more with the Flyers and won his two additional championships as a player with other teams.
Washington Capitals
Craig Melvin / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The pick: Peter Bondra (No. 156, 1990) GM responsible: David Poile (1982-97) Honorable mentions: Philipp Grubauer (No. 112, 2010), Braden Holtby (No. 93, 2008), Dmitri Khristich (No. 120, 1988)
This one comes down to Bondra and Holtby, but the former sniper is the clear choice. The Holtby pick has obviously paid off in spades for the Capitals. He helped the club win the Cup in 2018, took home the Vezina Trophy in 2016, and until the last few seasons had played at an elite level since entering the league.
However, this isn't just about the most valuable or most decorated player. Bondra was drafted in the eighth round - 63 picks later than Holtby - but amassed a whopping 503 goals and 892 points in 1,081 games, with the vast majority of that production coming in Washington. That's the definition of a steal, and Bondra's exploits included two 52-goal seasons as well as 45- and 39-goal campaigns during the height of the dead-puck era (2000-01 and 2001-02, respectively).
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Sidney Crosby does not want to see the NHL resort to anything overly unorthodox when it comes to the postseason.
"The safety of players is No. 1, and if you're able to establish that, then you want to keep the integrity of what the playoffs have been for a long, long time," he told TSN's Darren Dreger.
Asked to choose between an NCAA-style tournament or the reported 24-team format, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain said he'd prefer the latter - as long as the postseason remains a grueling grind.
"It's difficult to win the Stanley Cup and you want to win it the right way, and that's four (best-of-seven) series," he said. "That's how we know it. With a time like this, we're all open to ideas and formats and things like that, but you hope that we can keep that."
The NHL was apparently willing in April to condense the playoffs in order to finish the regular season, but the league is now reportedly focusing on proceeding to the postseason immediately if hockey is able to return. Crosby said in March he'd be fine going straight into playoff action.
Crosby's Penguins were on pace to meet the state-rival Philadelphia Flyers in the opening round of a 16-team postseason when the league suspended the campaign.
Few things are more exciting than a last-second win. But how much do you know about some of the most epic buzzer-beaters and walk-off victories in sports history? Take our quiz below to find out.
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford isn't crazy about the NHL's proposed expanded playoff bracket, but he'll give it a chance if it provides a chance to play again.
"It's not ideal, but we're not in ideal times right now," Clifford said Wednesday, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. "But a Stanley Cup Playoffs that includes 20-24 teams is better than no playoffs at all. It's going to be different, not what we're used to, but different can be good."
The NHL has proposed both expanding the playoff field and maintaining the traditional 16-team format. It was reported Monday that the league is leaning toward jumping straight into the postseason rather than playing out the remainder of the regular season.
"There's a real appetite among the players and coaching staffs to get back playing," Clifford said. "We're waiting, we're staying ready, we're all training, (everyone) is putting the work in. We're staying patient."
Clifford was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings earlier in the season along with goaltender Jack Campbell. He appeared in 16 games with the Maple Leafs before the season went on pause March 12, registering one goal and two assists. The 29-year-old winger won two Stanley Cups during his tenure with the Kings.
The Maple Leafs sat third in the Atlantic Division with 81 points through 70 games, three points clear of the Florida Panthers. They were slated for a first-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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An infectious disease specialist suggested on Monday that for hockey to be played safely amid the coronavirus pandemic, extreme measures may be needed, including players wearing full-face shields.
“If that’s the case, a lot of players will be upset with it,” Rafferty told The Province's Ben Kuzma on Tuesday. “A lot of guys don’t even wear a visor, and to have them put a full-face shield on, is not going to go over well - and I can kind of guarantee that.”
The NHL began grandfathering in visors in 2013.
Rafferty played the 2019-20 campaign in the AHL, where he was able to wear a visor. But he spent the previous three seasons at Quinnipiac University, where NCAA rules forced him to wear a full-face shield.
“It’s tough in college when you’re breathing and have that extra layer blocking your face and keeping air from getting into your system,” Rafferty said. “That was an adjustment and it took me a good week or two just to get used to that. With a visor, your peripheral vision is a lot better and when you look down at your skates, you don’t have that (full shield) guard there.
“And I don’t see the point of having to wear a clear face mask. You’re going to be around your team anyway and everyone will probably be tested, so I don’t see the merit in my opinion.”
Despite the suggestion from a medical expert, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly doesn't think drastic changes will be needed if the league is able to resume play.
"We would consider anything our infectious disease experts and advisors might recommend," Daly said. "But I'm not sure given the circumstances of our game that any dramatic modifications will really be necessary."
The 24-year-old Rafferty finished third among AHL defensemen with 45 points in 57 games this campaign after the AHL officially canceled the remainder of its season on Monday. He's played two career NHL games, both with the Canucks in 2018-19.
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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is optimistic the league will find a way to resume the 2019-20 season and said canceling the campaign outright is "not something I'm even contemplating," according to Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News.
Appearing in a virtual town hall with San Jose Sharks business members on Tuesday, Bettman expressed confidence that a champion will ultimately be crowned this season.
"I believe that if the right time comes, and the right circumstances, based on all of the options that we're considering and our ability to execute them, we'll get this season done," Bettman said. "I don't want to sound Pollyanna, but canceling is too easy a solution. That means you stop working hard to do all of the things that we're doing, and I ultimately believe that there will be an opportunity."
The NHL halted play on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Players and staff are still in self-quarantine, but the league hopes to initiate Phase 2 of its return plan by late May.
"States are reopening, cities are reopening," Bettman said. "And if we do the right things, I think we'll be able to finish the season."
Though details are still unclear, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan report the NHL is leaning toward jumping straight into the playoffs upon return.
Reported playoff proposals include a 24-team tournament featuring the top 12 clubs in each conference, as well as the traditional 16-team format.
Multiple players, including superstars Connor McDavid and Marc-Andre Fleury, said in late March the league shouldn't immediately begin the postseason, citing rust and player safety. The NHL has since said teams will hold training camps to help players get back into game shape before returning.
There have only been two instances in NHL history in which the Stanley Cup was not awarded - during the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919, and the lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 season.
