Victor Bartley

History

2007-08: Victor Bartley opened his fourth WHL season with the Kamloops Blazers before being acquired by the Regina Pats in a mid-season trade. In 61 games between the two clubs he was +6 and scored 10 goals with 32 assists and had 93 PMs. Regina finished first in the Eastern Division but fell to Swift Current in a six-game first round playoff series. Playing in every game of the series, Bartley scored 1 goal with 3 assists and was an even plus/minus with 8 PMs.

2008-09: Bartley made his pro hockey debut in March, skating in 10 games with the AHL’s Providence Bruins after spending an overage season in the WHL with Regina. Bartley was -6 with no points and 6 PMs in his stint with Providence. Bartley played in all 72 games for Regina, the only Pats player to do so, and was the leading scorer amongst defensemen with 15 goals and 31 assists. He was fourth on the team with 97 PMs and -4. Regina finished fourth in its division and did not make the playoffs.

2009-10: Bartley had a promising start to his pro career before suffering a season-ending tricep injury in January while playing for the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Bartley opened the season with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies and was named to the league’s All-Star game after scoring 2 goals with 21 assists and posting a +12 plus/minus in 21 games. He was promoted to Bridgeport by the Islanders but appeared in just eight games, scoring two goals, both on the power play, with a -5 plus/minus and 56 PMs.

2010-11: Bartley spent the year in Sweden, playing for Rogle BK in AllSvenskan (the second league). Bartley was the league’s second-highest scoring defenseman with 11 goals and 23 assists, trailing only former Devils and Wild prospect Ryan Gunderson. He finished +11 for second-place Rogle BK and was second on the team with 56 PMs. In ten games during the six-team post-season tournament to gain elevation to the Elitserien (top league) he scored 2 goals with 7 assists and was -6. Rogle BK finished fourth (the top two teams are promoted). Bartley signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Nashville in May, 2011.

Talent Analysis

Bartley is a serviceable depth defenseman more geared to the defensive side of the game. While solidly built, he is not a particularly physical or naturally gifted defender, instead relying on a work ethic to carry out his defensive duties. he has generated some offense at lower levels of the game, but that won't be his ticket to the NHL.

Future

Bartley was dealt by the Nashville Predators to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Stefen Elliott, then was packaged with John Scott by the Coyotes and dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for Jarred Tinordi and Stefan Fournier.