Boston Bruins Draft Pick: The Case For Paul Bittner
This year, the Boston Bruins have the fourteenth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. They’re going to be looking for players that can come up through the system quickly. Cam Neely will be looking for big bodies that can play the old time hockey he wants to see in the Bruins.
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The Bruins haven’t had much luck of late when it comes to finding the right players in the draft (although Dougie Hamilton and David Pastrnak have been the outstanding exceptions). They’re going to need to do their homework to find people who can fill in the holes the B’s will have over the next few years.
Over the next couple of days, we’ll be taking a look at individuals who should be available (As much as I would love to see Lawson Crouse in a Bruins uniform, his stock keeps rising, and he could very well end up as a top five pick).
The first player we’re going to look at is Paul Bittner. He’s currently playing for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He’s 6’4″ and 204 lbs, and has plenty of room to grow into something truly fearsome.
He’s the kind of player that would satisfy both schools of thought for the Bruins. For the fans (and front office people) who want to see a skill based player with excellent speed, Bittner is that kind of player. He’s got a strong shot that is powerful and deceptive at the same time.
Now, if the Bruins are looking for a player that’s going to bring a physical presence, Bittner will satisfy that need as well. He’s a big guy who will only get bigger. He has no reservations on dropping the gloves. He can bring energy and life into a match, and that’s what the Bruins were missing since Shawn Thornton and Johnny Boychuk left Boston.
Bill Placzek of DraftSite.com: “Lanky winger with plenty of potential. Was named to the USA Developmental team playing in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament. Emerging Western League winger with great size, strength and solid skills. Displays prototypical size, along with toughness and a strong shot. Displays a wide skating base with powerful stride that will give the opposition fits as adds even more muscle. Projects as a power forward excellent feet for a big man. A strong skater with a powerful stride making him difficult to check. He effectively creates space and read the set-ups well from the neutral in. Keeps his feet going on the wall and corners. Plays on the special teams effectively. Possesses tremendous smarts, vision, mobility, maturity, and over-all skill set that may apart from much of the class as time goes on.Has good awareness and hockey smarts and excellent vision, a long reach that combined with his above average hands project as a formidable pro.”
Paul Bittner has the makings of a long-term impact player for any team in the NHL. The Bruins have a great chance of getting him, and they should snap him up if possible.