The Blackhawks are one of the NHL's Elite Cores. Let's not be fooled by the 8th place finish. When that team is on, it's on. Canuck fans can attest to how good a team they are. They're big, fast, and they're skilled. After losing a large chunk of their depth, they still keep going. Looking at their prospect line one can't help but point of the character, size and pure tenacity represented amongst the organization. Their top prospects include the likes of Jeremy Morin, 6'5 Jimmy Hayes and brother Kevin, Dylan Olsen and Ivan Vishnevskiy. No glaring need has presented itself, though a top goalie wouldn't hurt. As it would be a stretch to grab one of those at this point of the game, Stan Bowman approaches the Minnesota podium with one thing in mind - skill.
"With the eighteenth pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Chicago is pleased to select, from the Portland Winterhawks - Sven Bartschi."
A winger with elite offensive instincts, this Swiss forward put together the kind of season to be excited about. Good for 34 goals and 51 assists, playing mostly with fellow draft eligible Winterhawk, Ty Rattie, Bartschi displayed the kind of offensive upside to cement his status as a first round draft choice, come June.
Undersized at 5'10, 185 lbs, Bartschi makes up for his diminutive stature with his electric skating. His explosive first few strides help him break away from the pack, and get to a top speed where most others can't keep up. It's easy to see why he does his best work on the rush.
A shooter by most standards, Bartschi has a hard shot, and can put the puck virtually anywhere he wants. He can really let it fly. He also shows creative hands, and can keep possession in a offensive pressure situation. On top of that, Bartschi has the ability to move the puck to linemates with soft passing.
While Bartschi shows a lot of grit, and will push back, his offensive game is very perimeter based. Questions have arisen about his willingness to push into the dirty areas to score more; a question that will need to be answered to make an NHL career.
This skilled WHL has cemented his first round status, and is still cranking in these playoffs with 10 goals and 26 points in 20 Winterhawk Post Season games. Whether Bartschi or Rattie will go first is anyone's guess, but for a team looking for a kid with high end scoring upside, the package of speed and a terrific shot will prove to be too much to pass up on.
Taken Previously...
1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Gabriel Landeskog
3. Jonathan Huberdeau
4. Dougie Hamilton
5. Adam Larsson
6. Sean Couturier
7. Ryan Strome
8. Ryan Murphy
9. Duncan Siemens
10. Mark McNeill
11. Nathan Beaulieu
12. Jamie Oleksiak
13. Mika Zibanejad
14. Joel Armia
15. Mark Scheifele
16. Matt Puempel
17. Brandon Saad
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