[Cole436]

Just found this post. I had a mighty laugh. (WHL wise. Not jinxing the NHL career just yet)

Originally Posted by Jim Peplinski

I have no idea what you are talking about. Feaster and the scouting staff have $hit the bed with this pick. I have every right to be pissed off about it. And unlike you, I will not blindly cheer while Feaster runs this team into into the ground. You guys all wanted change in the form of getting rid of Sutter. Well you've got it. Feaster is going to make Craig "Pause" Button look like Ken Holland.

We needed to pick a player that has size and skill in the first round. There are plenty of small players like Bartschi available in the middle rounds (Howse, Reinhart as examples). Armia was available. Could have picked him. Big player who can score. And he's a Finn! Good hockey country. McNeil was available. Downside for him is a 3rd liner. And even if he didn't make it as a top six scorer, would likely be a reliable top 9 player like Malhotra. Bottom line, there were many other players available at that spot who would have been a better pick than Bartshi.

Lets summarize Bartshi:

-He doesn't skate well.
-He avoids traffic.
-He's a smurf, and therefore is either going to be a top six forward in the NHL, or he is going to be a complete bust. No middle ground for this guy.
-Has not produced when playing against the best of his peers. In fact, when he has played against the best of his peers, has demonstrated to be nothing more than a perimeter player who shy's away from traffic. This is very telling of what can be expected in the future from him. If he can't perform well against the best of his peers, how do you think he's going to do against the best players in the world?
-He has an October birthday, meaning that he is one of the oldest 18 year olds available in the draft. He essentially has one whole year more of development time then other members of his draft class. His season should really be compared to players picked in last years draft. Heck, he is only 3 weeks younger than Nino Niederreiter, who was picked in last years draft!