Adrien Bartovic (C, L, 6’0″, 172, Malmo, 03/09/2007)
Adrien Bartovic is a skilled, versatile forward who played center and both wing positions last season in the J20 Nationell before missing the 2024/25 season. While his absence from game action this year presents an obstacle for evaluation, his production and on-ice habits from 2023/24 still offer valuable insights into his NHL projection.
Case For Drafting Adrien Bartovic:
Bartovic owns a high-end offensive toolkit. In 2023/24, he produced at a 1.77 PPG clip in the J18 Region (46 points in 26 games), establishing himself as a dangerous scoring forward. His 22 goals and 24 assists reflect a balanced scoring profile, and he showed the ability to capitalize on chances—scoring on 27% of his grade “A” opportunities, which is an elite conversion rate. His 3.1 shots on goal per game and 5 attempts per game support his shoot-first identity to generate volume, not just quality.
His 53% win rate in 50/50 puck battles shows competitiveness and functional strength despite an average frame. He also demonstrated quick anticipation and game processing with 1.32 loose puck recoveries per game and a nearly even split of 2.2 takeaways to 2.2 giveaways. These metrics suggest he plays with pace, has good stick detail, and doesn’t cheat offense at the cost of possession.
He was effective in both offensive and defensive zone time (averaging an even 4:59 per zone), and showed adaptability across special teams units, logging over 1:44 per game on the power play and short stints on the PK.
Case Against Drafting Adrien Bartovic:
The primary concern surrounding Bartovic is his durability. He has missed the entire 2024/25 season, limiting development and growth.
On-ice concerns center around decision-making and puck distribution. His 79% pass completion rate is low for a top-six-style forward and indicates that he forces pucks into traffic or low-percentage lanes. Despite his skill, only 0.47 of his completed passes per game led directly to a teammate’s grade “A” scoring chance—again, a low number relative to his offensive zone usage and puck possession. His 1.22 missed shots per game is also a red flag; he struggles with shot selection and must improve accuracy from the outside.
His minimal penalty drawing rate (0.02 per game) and low hit total (0.31 per game) – he plays on the perimeter and needs to develop a more assertive, direct game, especially given his average size (6’0″, 175 lbs) and pro projection.
Projection:
Bartovic profiles as a middle-six offensive winger with secondary power play potential. His shot, hands, and nose for scoring areas translate, but his pass selection, physical engagement, and off-puck detail need refinement. If he can stay healthy, regain confidence, and evolve his processing speed and puck management, he can be a value pick in the mid-to-late rounds.