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After a slow start to the season with the Portland Winterhawks, Bittner really picked up his game and finished with 34 goals and 71 points in 64 games. He has also added 2 goals and 7 points in 9 playoff games so far. Bittner was also one of the best players on the ice at the CHL Top Prospects game. Bittner has played on some powerful Portland teams in his three years with the club, including the one that won the WHL Championship and went all the way to the Memorial Cup final in 2012-13, but this is really the first season where he has been expected to be a top offensive contributor to the team. Bittner has not disappointed and his play is a big reason why Portland continues to be a strong club in the WHL. They currently lead Everett 2 games to 1 in their second round series.
Paul Bittner
Left Wing — shoots Left
Born Nov 4 1996 — Crookston, MN
Height 6.04 — Weight 204 [193 cm/93 kg]
Paul Bittner is the type of big winger who has NHL scouts salivating. He has the size and skills to be a budding power forward, with the strength to get to the front of the net, and the soft hands to finish plays in tight. He also has a very powerful wrist shot and an excellent release. He doesn’t throw a lot of big hits, but still uses his size effectively. Bittner is not afraid to stand in front of the net and cause havoc for the opposing goaltender and is more than willing to battle for pucks in the corners, and to take a big hit to make a play. He gets in quickly on the forecheck and pressures defenders and forces turnovers. Bittner is very good at protecting the puck in the cycle and can make a good pass to keep the play going, though he is much more of a scorer than a playmaker.
Paul Bittner is a very good skater for a big man. He has an excellent stride, which gives him good acceleration and speed. He keeps up on the ice with linemates Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nic Petan, so obviously he’s not lacking in this dept. He also has the agility to get around defenders. Bittner has a powerful lower body and is able to fend off checkers and drive the net both with and without the puck. While he could add some more muscle to his frame (as most 18-year-olds can), he’s already showing power and strength at the junior level.
Paul Bittner is also very polished defensively for a draft-eligible player. He works hard along the boards in his own zone, and backchecks well into the zone. On the powerful Portland teams of recent years he has had to work in the defensive zone to get his bottom-six ice-time and learned to kill penalties and showed the willingness to block shots. With a move up to the top line, this strong defensive play hasn’t gone away, in fact he looks as committed as ever to his own end of the ice.
Paul Bittner’s game can be reminiscent of John Leclair. This isn’t a talent comparison, but merely a stylistic one, as he can be that big-bodied, scoring forward, with good defensive play and a little bit of physical game, but not the huge hits. In terms of upside he could be a first line winger, if he reaches his absolute ceiling but is more likely to slide into a second-line role. Even if the offence doesn’t translate (and there is no reason at this point to believe it wont), he is a pretty safe pick as he can be a bottom line player with his defensive play and board work.
Below are some videos of Paul Bittner in action.
Tune in tomorrow for the #18 prospect on my draft board.
