Canucks' Baertschi: 'I can play on any team' in the NHL

Following a trade request in December, Canucks forward Sven Baertschi knows the decision to move him ultimately rests with Vancouver with one season left on his contract.

"I don't want to be back in the minors ... It’s up to them (Canucks management) really what they’re going to do next. That’s their job and that’s what they do. I’m just going to work my ass off going forward making sure I’m ready to go to whatever camp I’m going to," Baertschi said, according to TSN 1040's Jeff Paterson.

"I have no plans of going back to Switzerland or to Europe - I think personally I can play on any team in the National Hockey League. I can do it. I can just focus on myself and making sure I’m ready for another year. I think I’ve proved to everybody that was worried before. I'm 100% healthy, my game's going well and I'm preparing for whatever is next."

The 27-year-old was placed on waivers at the beginning of the 2019-20 season after failing to crack the Canucks' opening roster. He appeared in six NHL games this season, tallying two assists. He skated in 43 contests with the AHL's Utica Comets, recording 13 goals and 46 points.

After spending nearly a full season in the minors, he believes he's ready to be a full-time NHL player again.

"There were some moments in the AHL when I thought there are some darn good players - like really, really skilled players. Sometimes I looked at it as the best players aren’t always in the NHL," Baertschi said. "There are definitely some players in the AHL that don’t belong there. For me, it was more confirmation that I don’t belong there in many ways. I don’t want to be rude or look down on people, but the way I look at the game is a lot different than a lot of other guys."

Baertschi has appeared in 291 career games with the Canucks and Calgary Flames, recording 66 goals and 138 points.