It will be interesting to see how Baertschi responds in Utica. I think regardless if he plays poorly or well, because of his NHL experience and offensive upside, he'll be called up in case of NHL playoffs.
If Baertschi can adopt the "Real Good" systems and can then produce offensively, he'll earn his way to the NHL.
I honestly don't care much if Baertschi produces massive numbers in the AHL, I just want him to develop his defensive/forechecking game and adopt the new system. We can see a kid like Horvat who has come across offence, by learning the defence/systems first, then making the play b/c opportunities are created by utilizing the system.
I would love Baertschi to synergize (what a terrible word) with the WD way of playing. so that we can see him up with the big club sooner, but all accounts, it sounds like Benning doesn't have his hopes up that it will occur soon.
With Baertschi's footspeed problems, I don't really know if we want him and Gaunce to develop chemistry, because the pairing wouldn't be able to keep up with rate of play in NHL, I'm more or less hoping he clicks with McCann next season.
Baertschi - McCann - _____
Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen
Shinkaruk - Gaunce - Vey
Friesen - Cassels - Kassian
Jensen
I wouldn't mind something like this for the future, this is highly banking on McCann and Baertschi to reach their potential.
Secondly, the 2nd line would act as the checking line matching the other teams top line, and the third line would be more of the 2nd "scoring line".
Very interesting to see how Benning approaches the upcoming 2015 draft. I hope he continues to draft forward high, and find gem dmen through NCAA or in later rounds.
At this point, we could still use a LWer, RWer, or C, so long as they are top line material.