It has been a long time since Flames fans have had a prospect like Sven Baertschi. He really is the best forward prospect in a long, long time. In fact I can not think off the top of my head a player who came in with the kind of expectation and excitement he is generating.

The team is at a transition point. There is a mood in the air that a changing of the guard is imminent. That a new generation of young Flames players is potentially coming in. Gone is the old mold of grinding Alberta born players in favor of a faster, more skilled and even more European composition.

Without any sort of embellishment, Sven has performed this year the way one would expect a lottery pick in the top five would perform. He faces all the challenges rookies face, the long grind of the NHL season, the higher level of game and it will be interesting.

Here is a little video of his more recent play, plus some interviews.

Plus to revisit his draft day and his comments on the transition to the North American game and what being drafted means to Swiss hockey.