Season Preview: Nino Niederreiter

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Nino Niederreiter

Position: Left Wing
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 207 lbs
Birthdate: September 8, 1992
Birthplace: Chur, Switzerland
Acquired: Draft, Round 1, 5th overall, 2010 NHL Entry Draft

2010-2011 Team: Portland Winterhawks

2010-2011 Stats (NYI): 9 GP - 1 G - 1 A - 2 P - 8 PIM

2010-2011 Stats (POR): 55 GP - 41 G - 29 A - 70 P - 67 PIM
2010-2011 Playoffs (POR): 21 GP - 9 G - 18 A - 27 P 30 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders or Portland Winterhawks
Team Role: Third Line Wing (NYI) / Top Line Wing (POR)

Last year: Niederreiter's whirlwind year started at the draft, where the Islanders made him the top Swiss pick of all time at number 5 overall. Niederreiter came to training camp under Scott Gordon and made an immediate impression, earning a spot on the main roster. However, after one goal in nine games and some inconsistent play, the Isles decided to send Niederreiter down to the WHL to hone his skills. He did just that, scoring 70 points for Portland in just 55 games, including 41 goals. Niederreiter also was the captain of the Swiss World Junior team, where he tallied four points (two goals) in six games. Once the playoffs hit, however, Niederreiter was a monster as he scored 27 points in 21 games. The experience certainly helped Nino as he entered his sophomore season.

Expectations: It's unclear as of today where Niederreiter will end up playing for the season, though most signs point to him making the cut for his rookie year with the Islanders. With the forward depth the Isles have, it's certainly possible that Niederreiter starts in a bottom-6 role. This would be great for him as he will have to earn his way up the forward ranks, which we certainly expect him to do over the next year or so. We don't expect Niederreiter to break scoring records this season, but we do expect solid play in all three zones with a scoring touch to boot. With the amount of work and effort that Niederreiter puts into his game, the results could be great.

Projections (NYI): GP 71 - 18 G - 12 A - 30 P

Projections (POR): GP 58 - 47 G - 23 A - 80 P


Thoughts:

CH: This kid is going to be an outstanding power forward for years to come. He is certainly not the razzle dazzle type player, but he is a force to be reckoned with. During the rookie game, you can see how far Nino has come over the past season. He hit everything that moved, established a net front presence, worked in the corners, played solid in the defensive zone, and even displayed his scoring touch. He is a do-it-all forward whose effectiveness will be gauged both on the scoreboard and off it. Certainly, Niederreiter has things to work on. And that alone may be his ticket back to the WHL for the season. But even if that is the case, it's hard to forget that he is only 19 years old. There is so much time for him to develop into the player that the Isles thought they were getting when they drafted him. Time will tell, but my guess is that Niederreiter will have a very strong training camp and will be in the opening night lineup.

AT: His goalscoring ability combined with his strength are going to be a very welcome addition on a team that already has a talented power forward in Kyle Okposo on the second line. I don't believe he is going to go back to juniors, as what he showed last year both in terms of play and maturity showed he's learned all he can possibly learn in the WHL. He will most likely be slotted on the third line with some combination of Blake Comeau, Brian Rolston, Josh Bailey and himself. Nino making the team would also leave a lot of room for a trade to occur, but that's for another post. Niederreiter has the body of an NHL'er and the skills to make it, although power forwards traditionally take a little bit more time to really come into their own. However, on sheer ability to get the pick into the net alone, Niederreiter should have a great year if he has his rookie year this year. If not, he knows what he needs to work on to make it into the bigs, and will go back to the WHL as a veteran presence on a very strong Portland team. Whatever the case, we have a very special player here who is ready to jump into the NHL as soon as possible.