Photo Credit: Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports

The Vancouver Canucks are likely to lose a pair of useful middle-six forwards this summer in Shawn Matthias and Brad Richardson.

Yesterday we looked at one area – the penalty kill – where Richardson is likely to prove tough to replace. Today let’s turn our focus to Matthias, and the heir apparent to his spot in the lineup Sven Baertschi.

Acquired from the Calgary Flames at the trade deadline in exchange for a second-round draft pick, Baertschi lit up the AHL (and the Calder Cup playoffs) upon joining the Canucks organization. He played decently well in a small handful of regular season and playoff games for the big league club also. The skilled, Swiss-born forward will be counted on next season to provide crucial secondary scoring, and he’s got big skates to fill in a second- or third-line role. 

Will he be up to it?

Matthias played most of last season on the wing, aside from a short 10-game stint in February when both Richardson and Nick Bonino were injured, and he seemed to find a new gear. 

The 27-year-old Matthias, a centre for the majority of his NHL career, seemed a better fit along the wall, where his size and speed gave opposing defenders fits. Though the big forward was more comfortable attacking from the right side, his speed, goal scoring ability, and puck protection skills translated well to the left wing. Not only did Matthias score goals at a first-line rate – something he’s done throughout his career, and isn’t much of a surprise – he also managed to drive play.

Now, in all likelihood, the centrepiece of the Roberto Luongo trade is off to greener pastures and a bigger payday in free agency. It leaves the Canucks with a pretty significant hole to fill in terms of finding a quality middle-six forward who can threaten opposing defenses and rack up points at 5-on-5. Willie Desjardins’ entire balanced lineup arithmetic doesn’t really work if the third-lines and fourth-lines can’t consistently produce offense, after all.

Enter Baertschi. The 22-year-old forward will turn 23 in November, and has been a key player for the Utica Comets throughout the postseason. He’ll require waivers next season, but even if he didn’t, he’s probably done enough since joining the Canucks organization to have guaranteed himself a spot on the roster next season.

In describing where he sees Baertschi fitting into his roster for next season during a radio interview in late May, Canucks general manager Jim Benning described a role that sounds awfully similar to what Matthias held down for the club:

The key difference really is that where Matthias brought size, speed and goalscoring ability, Baertschi is going to be bringing speed, skill and playmaking ability. 

Like Matthias, Baertschi has been a rate stats all-star, albeit in a prescribed role during parts of four seasons with the Calgary Flames. Since the NHL lockout Baertschi has played just over 700 minutes at 5-on-5 and he’s produced points at a second-line rate (a higher rate than Matthias, and at a comparable rate to Radim Vrbata). 

We have to use rate stats with caution here, because they generally tend to favour a player like Baertschi – who is only occasionally in an NHL lineup – it’s not worthless to note that he’s managed total assists and primary assists at a bona fide first-line rate in occasional appearances since the NHL lockout though. 

While Baertschi is unlikely to produce goals the way Matthias did (unless he benefits from some favourable percentages), and probably won’t manage to drive play the way Matthias may be able to when he’s on the wing, Baertschi’s overall offensive dynamism makes him a good bet to replace a lot of what Matthias did – and at a fraction of the cost.

The Canucks will enter the draft with a handful of needs, though the presence of Baertschi would suggest that additional depth scoring isn’t one of them. Are you confident that he can handle an increased offensive role as a full-time NHLer next season or should the Canucks look to acquire additional help on the trade market?

If you want a chance to witness the draft in person and see for yourself, the Virtual League of Hockey will be flying two lucky virtual GMs down to Sunrise Florida to watch it all unfold from June 25th to June 28th. By registering for a free account you will automatically be entered for your chance to win. The VLH lets you create your own team, develop players and challenge a community of hockey fans from around the world. Now you also have the chance to learn from the world’s best GMs at the entry draft! Join today for your shot at the grand prize.