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| via Portland Winterhawks |
Position: Left Wing
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 174 lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: October 5, 1992
Nationality: Swiss
2010-2011 Team: Portland Winterhawks
League: WHL
Stats: 66 GP - 34G - 51A - 85P - 74 PIM
Playoffs: 20 GP - 10G - 16A - 26P - 16 PIM
WJC-20: 6 GP - 1G - 1A - 2P - 4 PIM
CH: Here we have the first player I think the Islanders may take a chance on at #5. Bartschi has been a projected top-15 pick all year, but his play with Portland has really taken him to a new level. He finished 15th in scoring in the WHL this season, and finished 5th in scoring in the WHL playoffs as well.
Bartschi, who is Swiss, is a teammate of 2010 Islanders first-round pick Nino Niederreiter (also Swiss). The two countrymen combined to lead Portland to the WHL finals before losing to Kootenay. Bartschi is loaded with talent, and like most Swiss born players, plays a North American style game.
AT: While I don't believe they played on a line very often, seeing Bartschi picked because of his connection with Niederreiter is completely imaginable. They're obviously good friends and could create amazing chemistry on a line together.
CH: There is no doubt that this player has the tools to be a top-end top-6 forward in the NHL some day. While he is very lean (only 5'10" 174), he is a very strong skater (though not blazing fast). His ability to play in the WHL effectively shows that he is able to adapt to new environments as well. On the flip side, while he did struggle in the WJC, the fact he stepped his game up in the playoffs is a huge sign that he is a big-game player as well.
AT: His playoffs stats were off the charts (as were Niederreiter's). If he can step it up in big games as he's shown, I can definitely see him going at 7-10. He will only bulk up and get faster. I definitely see Bartschi as being a perennial top 6 winger for his career. As Carey noted, his ability to adapt to new environments is HUGE.
CH: As far as the Islanders are concerned, I would not be surprised in the least to see the team either take him at 5 or move back to the 7-8 range to take him. Bartschi and Nino Niederreiter clearly have a rapport and play opposite wings. Bartschi is very skilled and could fit into the Islanders plans long-term. While his stature could be an issue, you cannot pass on a player solely because a player is under 6 feet tall.
AT: And as I mentioned, he still has time to grow. A sniper like him, if available, is hard to pass up.
We are certainly getting to the point where each player that is profiled could be one the Islanders end up going with at five. That's how open this draft is going to be.
Most likely to be drafted: 5-12
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