Canucks Army Year in Review: Sven Baertschi

Searching for positives from the Vancouver Canucks last season is like trying to find a needle in a British Columbia-sized haystack. So when I tell you that Sven Baertschi’s season was exceedingly positive, it carries a certain amount of significance.

Though with a little less perseverance and sticktoitiveness, it’s entirely possible we’re recounting an entirely different story. Baertschi didn’t appear ready to step into the offensive shoes that needed filling at the season’s onset – particularly those Shawn Matthias left behind. And when an undersized perimeter player with a penchant for playmaking isn’t producing, they often find themselves cast to the wayside – Baertschi was healthy scratched, early and often.

At some point, though, a combination of luck and a (perceived, or real) increase in net-front presence turned the tide. All the breaks that Baertschi couldn’t catch for the life of him through the first 15 games were now becoming goals. Baertschi went from maligned process star to legitimate force in what seemed like an instant.

Nice number of games played. Baertschi’s never been so close to playing a full season, so it’s not entirely surprising that he set career highs in, well, everything. Though 28 points may appear meagre at first glance, Baertschi’s production is being wholly understated by raw counting totals. He was, after all, the fourth most productive regular Canucks skater by rate production, chipping in 1.45 points-per-sixty-minutes.

Strides in puck control and the ability to sustain offensive pressure will go a long way towards maintaining a top-six role with the Canucks when the offence goes on holiday – it happens. Baertschi’s -1.2 CF%Rel isn’t terrible. Not by any means. It’s nothing to write home about though, either. It’s fair to wonder to wonder to what extent his totals were harmed by team and linemate effects, though. Baertschi’s +46 dCFImpact suggests he was controlling play well above what one might reasonably expect from someone placed in his role, with his deployments and linemates.

Viewing Baertschi through the lens of underlying goal data doesn’t really inspire much in the way of… anything. He’s not particularly bad, nor is he particularly good, by this metric. That fact is reflected in his -0.2% GF%Rel mark.

Replace everything I said above about his underlying goal data, with scoring chances anywhere where goals should be.

Baertschi could very well develop into the Canucks most well-rounded winger, not named Daniel Sedin, by the end of next season. It wouldn’t have been a stretch to suggest as much at certain points this season, either. Developing consistency will go a long way towards assuaging any doubts to the contrary.

Though Baertschi is due to hit restricted free agency this July, I can’t foresee any scenario wherein he’s not in a Canucks uniform next season. The only question at this stage is for how long and at what cost that much is guaranteed. Frankly, I expect the Canucks to fo the route of the bridge contract with their Suisse project on the wing.

In all likelihood, Baertschi will return to the second line, alongside presumptive running mate, Bo Horvat. The two developed innate offensive chemistry down the stretch, trading blows as the Canucks two breakout stars. Here’s to hoping for an encore next season.