The Sven Baertschi Trade Tree: How the Calgary Flames turned the Vegas Golden Knights’ winger into four assets – The Win Column

Trade trees are always fun to watch because the moves you make today can impact an organization for years and years to come. There are always many twists and turns. For example, Curtis Glencross’ trade boom has expanded to nine assets the Calgary currently have in their organization. With the Rasmus Andersson trade that took place yesterday, we have another fun trading boom to watch that will undoubtedly continue to expand in the coming years. Let’s take a look at Sven Baertschi’s trading tree:

The Sven Baertschi Trade Tree

In 2011, the Flames had the 13th overall pick. They used that selection to select winger Sven Baertschi. Baertschi was up and down through the Flames system and never really seemed to fit, so the Flames tested the market on him.

Trade #1: The Calgary Flames send Sven Baertschi to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2015 second-round pick

The Vancouver Canucks decided to take a chance on the young winger, dealing Calgary a second-round pick at the 2015 Trade Deadline. Baertschi had a few solid years with the Canucks, most notably a career high of 18 goals and 35 points in 68 games in 2016-17, though he dropped out a few years later and eventually spent time between the NHL and AHL with the Canucks and Golden Knights. Baertschi last played professional hockey in 2022-2023 with Bern SC in the Swiss league.

On the Flames side, they used that 2015 second-round pick to select Rasmus Andersson from the Barrie Colts of the OHL. Andersson spent an additional year in the OHL and two years in the AHL before joining the Flames full-time in 2018-19. He became a regular force on the backend, chirping opponents and scoring a few points in the process. Last summer it became clear that Andersson and the Flames were going in two different directions. Andersson was then moved to the Vegas Golden Knights after eight seasons with the Flames.

Trade #2: Calgary trades Rasmus Andersson (50% retained) to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a conditional 1st in 2027, a conditional 2nd in 2028, Zach Whitecloud and Abram Wiebe

A few years after trading for Noah Hanifin, Vegas acquired another defenseman from the Calgary Flames. The Knights were rumored to be surrounding Andersson last summer, and that interest continued until they were able to get a deal done yesterday. Andersson was sent to the Knights without a contract extension, but many already believe he will soon agree to an extension with the Knights.

Zach Whitecloud gives the team another defenseman they can keep or trade later for another asset or two. The Flames are also adding a defenseman to the college ranks in Abram Wiebe, who could move up in the organization in a few years. They will also add a few high picks to the dartboard in a few years.

When trading Sven Baertschi in 2015, the Flames got eight years of valuable service from the defenseman they selected with the acquired draft pick. From there, they turn that defenseman into four assets that will likely continue to branch out this trade tree for years to come.

How could Sven Baertschi’s trading boom expand?

The Flames have two draft picks they can make or move, and since at least one is a first-round pick, there’s a good chance the player becomes an NHLer in time. What happens to that player could expand this tree further.

There are also rumors that the Flames are exploring the market on Zach Whitecloud, and with the way the team is performing, there’s a chance they could get a decent return for the Brandon, Manitoba-born defensemen. That would expand the tree further.

Perhaps most interesting to see is whether the Golden Knights extend Rasmus Andersson or if he chooses to sign elsewhere in July. The free agent is expected to sign in Vegas, but if he finds a better deal elsewhere, will Vegas try to trade his signing rights to that team in exchange for another asset, further spreading the boom? Only time will tell.

Although this trading tree does not have as many branches as others, there is a good chance that it will end up there. If there are multiple pieces in play, this can become complicated over time.

Summary trading tree of Sven Baertschi:

13th overall pick in 2011 -> Sven Baertschi -> 2nd rounder 2015 -> Rasmus Andersson -> cond. 2027 1st, cond. 2028 2nd, Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe

Related