Paul Bittner

August 2020 – Bittner was unable to find his way through the 2019-20 campaign, resulting in a subpar 16-point output. His timing could not have been worse, as he joins an extended list of players in need of a contract over the off-season. He continues to be a developmental project and should not be considered a fantasy option at the moment. However, he is a large power-forward with an offensive history, a solid outing next season could set his course right back on track as a bottom-six prospect. Dave Hall

November 2019 – Bittner is coming off his best statistical year as a pro, resulting in somewhat higher expectations for the 2019-20 campaign. Unfortunately, the Minnesota native has struggled to maintain that same level of offense through the first quarter of the season. In 15 games, the second-rounder has just three goals and three assists to go with a +3 rating. These mediocre numbers have the power-forward demoted to the team’s fourth-line for the time being. With fellow wingers already getting calls and making impacts for the big club, it seems unlikely that he will be making the jump to NHL this season. However, he is still developing into his role and continues to hold bottom-six (NHL) potential. Dave Hall

June 2019 – Bittner finished his third season with the Cleveland Monsters and fared well offensively. The 6-3 winger amassed a career-high 31 points in 50 games. He should be at training camp next year but will likely be assigned to the AHL again. Frank Pellegrini

December 2018 – Bittner is currently in his third season with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. In 24 games thus far, he has scored 17 points. Bittner has a hard and accurate shot and plays with the physicality that gets him to the net often. With more consistency, he should find success in the NHL as a middle-six forward in approximately two years. Frank Pellegrini

January 2018 – Bittner continues his rebound from 2016-17 as a points-producing leader in Cleveland. While he still isn’t hitting the level of play CBJ likely expected when selecting him in the second round of 2015’s NHL Entry Draft, 23 games into his second pro campaign Bittner is tied for fourth on the AHL Monsters with nine points, five of them goals, and seems less reluctant to shoot with 54 shots on goal.That’s second on the squad to Carter Camper’s 56. By comparison, Bittner fired just 32 shots in 31 contests last year. Kevin Wickersham

November 2017 – With three points in five games including his first professional goal, a game-winner against Rockford, Bittner quickly matched his point total for the 2016-17 campaign. Following a solid training camp, his AHL efforts have his career trajectory again pointing upward considering his difficulties last year. Kevin Wickersham

September 2016 – Prior to the 2015 NHL entry draft, some scouts projected Portland Winter Hawks forward Paul Bittner as a potential first-round pick, coming off the board somewhere between 15th and 30th. He eventually fell to the Blue Jackets at 38th in the second round. In his post-draft season, Bittner was limited to just 25 games after hip surgery in December shut him down early. Bittner’s long-term fantasy value is as a top-six NHL winger but he will enter his first pro season with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL and likely will need to work to knock off some of the rust that typically comes with an almost 10-month layoff. Bittner posted solid numbers, tallying 34 goals and 37 assists for 71 points over 66 games with Portland. He likely will spend the entire season in the AHL and therefore has limited short-term fantasy value barring a serious string of injuries up front for the Blue Jackets. Erik Schiefer

June 2015 – As with most power forwards, Bittner will take a long time to develop. Especially in the Columbus system (he was taken 38th overall). While he may make the NHL in four years, it will be several more before he puts fantasy-worth points on the board. Lots of upside, but still raw. Dobber

March 2015 – Far from a complete package, it’s Bittner’s raw tools that warrant a high ranking for the upcoming draft and he’s likely to be off the board before the end of the opening round. He’s a good skater given his rangy frame and at his best when playing to his strengths, which are battling along the boards and using a chip-and-chase attacking game. He displays above-average hockey sense and is a tenacious forecheck who wields a quick stick capable of forcing turnovers. Bittner’s game lacks the nastiness and power that teams ideally want in a power forward but that wavering competitiveness is starting to turn the corner. He will never play heavy where he’ll dominate through pure strength but his noteworthy puck skills are intriguing in a whole different way and some think he could end up developing into a lengthy north-south scoring forward. Through 53 games with Portland, Bittner has 26 goals and 52 points. Brendan Ross