NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Christian Fischer

Get to Know Christian Fischer:
Date of Birth: 4/15/1997
Place of Birth: Wayne, IL, USA
Ht: 6″1″ Wt: 212 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: RW
Team: United States National U-18 Team (USHL)

Christian Fischer is a player that has gone about his business very quietly in his draft year. So quietly, in fact, that when you do a Google search of his name, you’re just as likely to hit upon a Spanish lawyer or a Leipzig, Germany-based DJ. While playing on the star-studded US U-18 Team in the USHL certainly helps in protect one’s anonymity but Fischer the player certainly has done everything he could to loudly knock on the NHL Draft door.

Coming into the USHL without much fan fare and surrounded by high draft picks to-be and teammates with famous family members, Fischer quietly has climbed draft boards and his point-per-game production in a supporting role will only serve to help him come draft day.

The Illinois native is scheduled to begin his college career next fall with the University of Notre Dame.

Statistics

What Scouts See

SBN College Hockey:

He’s every bit of the 6-1 212 lbs. that he’s listed at and uses it well. He hits, he protects the well along the boards. But the part that really intrigued me was that I thought he showed some really nice vision on a couple of passes. Still more of a second round-type pick for me, but I can see why people like him.

alongtheboards.com:

One of the most physically ready players in the entire draft, highly competitive center Christian Fischer is a coach’s dream. A quiet leader on and off the ice, Fischer is a dependable two-way player with good offensive upside and is a very coachable player. Willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win, Fischer is a 200 foot player that may be a future NHL captain.

Projects on the high end as a second line center in the NHL, but may be best suited in a third line/support type role. The type of player you want on your team when the meaningful games are on the line.

What BSN Avalanche sees

To my eyes, Christian Fischer is a classic meat and potatoes style player. Not flashy in any capacity of the game, he makes up for it through sheer hard work and by reading the game well and playing smart hockey. Though not the most talented player, Fischer shows plenty of projectable offensive upside with creative passing and a willingness to utilize his above-average shot.

He’s a very physical player who is already comfortable using his size and excels in a low to high cycle. Could be a future advanced stats possession darling because he consistently drives play away from his own net and is not shy about shooting the puck when he can.

The biggest downside of Fischer’s game is simply that his game does not jump off the ice when you watch him play. His nuanced skill set means you have to pay close attention to him so you don’t miss the things he does well. While he does a good job of playing physically without taking penalties, Fischer sometimes tunnel visions into chasing the big hit when he can.

Highlights


NHL Potential

Fischer isn’t going to win any scoring titles in his career but he does have the raw tools to someday be a reliable player on a mediocre 2nd line or a really good 3rd line on a deep team. He probably won’t play a lot on the power play but I could see him develop into a strong 2nd penalty kill unit player. His ceiling profiles as a 40-50 point player who provides reliable two-way play and complementary scoring. Is not a star in the making.

Expected Draft Position

CSS has Fischer ranked 37th, ESPN’s Corey Pronman has him 56th and former NHL GM Craig Button has him ranked 44th, making the industry consensus that Fischer a likely second round selection.

How Does Christian Fischer Fit in Avalanche Organization?

Of the prospects profiled so far here at BSNDenver, Fischer is easily the most realistic and natural fit for the Avalanche with their second round selection. While several other profiled prospects have higher upside, Fischer is the most likely to be available at 40th overall, where the Avalanche pick in the second round, and he’s a natural right winger, the organization’s number 1 positional weakness, and his big body and physical play style perfectly align with the new mold of Colorado forward.

Fischer would immediately slot in as a top two right wing prospect in the organization, behind maybe only Croatian forward Borna Rendulic. While he’s off to play college hockey next season, his maturity should help him develop quickly and make it unlikely he spends all four years in South Bend.

Fischer has the potential to push for a job in Colorado’s bottom 6 within the next 2-3 years depending on how strong his performance in the NCAA is and his reliable defensive ability could put him on the fast track once he does decide to turn pro.