Player Discussion Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 8th) #37 - Part III

[Matt Ress]

So back to Mitts...

Some things over the years he has shown that could translate into helping this team right now are his short area pursuit and forcing takeaways or turnovers from behind, then turning the puck in transition. When he is having a shift where he is a demand for possession, where he wants the puck on his stick and is fully engaged. Can he fit into a more defensive role, particularly as a PKer where the team seems short in terms of established personnel? It might be a way for him to slide into the lineup to contribute with added potential bonus of getting his slick stick skills onto the roster.

If he is in competition for a roster spot, it seems like he's up against Reider and perhaps Sheahan if he's signed, who both feature strong penalty killing as a big part of what they offer.

Was Casey playing all situations in ROC this past season or am I thinking of TT?

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Was Casey playing all situations in ROC this past season or am I thinking of TT?

Both were

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Again, I see a huge difference in physical fitness and anthropometry between Cozens and Mittelstadt. Even after a season, Casey was not ready to play in the NHL, that is, he simply cannot get back to normal physical condition for the third year to play in the NHL.

All I ever hear is how Casey Mittelstadt's development was screwed up by Sabres. Does anybody ever consider the possibility he's just not very good and a borderline NHLer?

 

[barriers]

It can be both

 

[joshjull]

All I ever hear is how Casey Mittelstadt's development was screwed up by Sabres. Does anybody ever consider the possibility he's just not very good and a borderline NHLer?

He’s certainly not going to be the offensive dynamo he was touted to be as a prospect.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

He’s certainly not going to be the offensive dynamo he was touted to be as a prospect.

Casey "Shitty Brian Holzinger" Mittelstadt

 

[joshjull]

Casey "Shitty Brian Holzinger" Mittelstadt

Not sure what that looks like.


It would be ironic? Funny? Depressing? if he turns into the second coming of his off season trainer Eric Rasmussen. High pick (7th overall) that never gets near his expectations.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

All I ever hear is how Casey Mittelstadt's development was screwed up by Sabres. Does anybody ever consider the possibility he's just not very good and a borderline NHLer?

We’ll never know, the Sabres’ mismanagement obscures that. An elite, confident kid can overcome incompetent management- Casey couldn’t. Hopefully he can salvage something, but he strikes me as a guy who really coulda used another year or two on top before trying out the NHL.

 

[57special]

Ultimately, a prospect has to be tough mentally and physically to make it in the NHL. They can't let a team dictate to them how will succeed, and in any event, it seems like the Sabres gave him all sorts of chances.

Look at Jared Spurgeon, A 5'8", 160 lb sixth rounder who wasn't even offered a contract by the team who drafted him. was then picked by another team for nothing, and stuck down in the AHL. A spate of injuries gave him a brief shot at the NHL. He grabbed at the chance like a Jack Russell terrier, has been in the NHL since, and is now Captain of his team.

If Mittelstadt had a fraction of his guts he'd be a top 6'er right now. I can't get behind blaming the team for his failure so far. He needs to train harder, play harder, get a scar or two on his face. Maybe realize that spots in the best league in the world aren't handed out to cream puffs.

And I am saying this as someone who was very high on CM, and thought he was going to be a star.

 

[sufferer]

Trade him for Logan Brown.

 

[PettersonHughes]

Ultimately, a prospect has to be tough mentally and physically to make it in the NHL. They can't let a team dictate to them how will succeed, and in any event, it seems like the Sabres gave him all sorts of chances.

Look at Jared Spurgeon, A 5'8", 160 lb sixth rounder who wasn't even offered a contract by the team who drafted him. was then picked by another team for nothing, and stuck down in the AHL. A spate of injuries gave him a brief shot at the NHL. He grabbed at the chance like a Jack Russell terrier, has been in the NHL since, and is now Captain of his team.

If Mittelstadt had a fraction of his guts he'd be a top 6'er right now. I can't get behind blaming the team for his failure so far. He needs to train harder, play harder, get a scar or two on his face. Maybe realize that spots in the best league in the world aren't handed out to cream puffs.

And I am saying this as someone who was very high on CM, and thought he was going to be a star.

Is he simply too soft at this point or is there still a future for him in the NHL then, even as a reclamation project? (Of course not everyone can totally revamp their game like Nichushkin has in Colorado but if he can even adjust and become serviceable then he could be worth a flyer -- or a Virtanen).

 

[Archie Lee]

Is he simply too soft at this point or is there still a future for him in the NHL then, even as a reclamation project? (Of course not everyone can totally revamp their game like Nichushkin has in Colorado but if he can even adjust and become serviceable then he could be worth a flyer -- or a Virtanen).

I haven't seen anything soft about Mittelstadt this year. He is looking to me like a guy who can be a solid middle-six player in the NHL and who still has upside for more than that. Outside of Eichel and perhaps Dahlin, he is the most creative offensive player on the team and it looks like he can kill a penalty. It would be tragic I think if he is discarded at this point.

 

[PettersonHughes]

I haven't seen anything soft about Mittelstadt this year. He is looking to me like a guy who can be a solid middle-six player in the NHL and who still has upside for more than that. Outside of Eichel and perhaps Dahlin, he is the most creative offensive player on the team and it looks like he can kill a penalty. It would be tragic I think if he is discarded at this point.

Good to hear that, hope Buffalo isn't afraid to hook an expansion brother up after the ED, esp. if your org simply won't develop your players or culture properly.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I haven't seen anything soft about Mittelstadt this year. He is looking to me like a guy who can be a solid middle-six player in the NHL and who still has upside for more than that. Outside of Eichel and perhaps Dahlin, he is the most creative offensive player on the team and it looks like he can kill a penalty. It would be tragic I think if he is discarded at this point.

Amen. He was WAY behind the curve as far as physical development, but that part is finally starting to catch up to his hockey talent, and --voila-- he looks like a real player.

 

[Bferra13]

Good to hear that, hope Buffalo isn't afraid to hook an expansion brother up after the ED, esp. if your org simply won't develop your players or culture properly.

How bout you hook us up... We need all the help we can get.

 

[Sabre the Win]

I don't see any finish to him, in a breakaway he shot it right into the goalies chest. Bottom 6 PKer worthy right now tho.

 

[HaNotsri]

I don't see any finish to him, in a breakaway he shot it right into the goalies chest. Bottom 6 PKer worthy right now tho.

Are you sure you're not talking about Eakin?

 

[PettersonHughes]

How bout you hook us up... We need all the help we can get.

Like any doctor would ask, I gotta begin with "what's wrong?" Then again I feel like a broken record, Melody Martin on YouTube and Duane got me covered.

Btw we're open for business at the right price...
our pending UFA's are Pearson (no clause but currently injured and Horvat might want his LW back), Edler (carries NMC), Hamonic (NMC), Sutter (NTC), Jordie Benn (mod. NTC) and Vesey (LOL, hello old friend), Boyd (former Leafs depth guy, hasn't played a game yet), and Baertschi (ultimate project player -- probably still has top-9 serviceability but coach seems to hate him and buried him in the minors), and some minor leaguers.

Other players who may be available are:
RFA's: Gaudette (we like his untapped potential but he really dropped off this year, then again as a smaller skilled guy he's been deployed in a grinding role), Virtanen (fast, and I hope Benning calls everyone and asks "you want a power forward? We got one"), Beagle (overpriced faceoff machine and PK specialist), Roussel (read: Beagle, minus the faceoffs, and more bad/ lazy penalties, though he is skilled his lack of discipline really offsets it).

If any of these guys appeals to GM Adams, he has Benning's phone number. Also what sort of ask would Mittelstadt be able to bring back, another project or 3rd round pick? Think Lias Andersson brought back a 2nd last year.

 

[elchud]

If any of these guys appeals to GM Adams, he has Benning's phone number. Also what sort of ask would Mittelstadt be able to bring back, another project or 3rd round pick? Think Lias Andersson brought back a 2nd last year.

Pre Covid, it looked like Virtanen/Gaudette were figuring it out.

To me Mitts is looking like maybe a 2LW as his upside, and we've got Skinner and Olofsson. Maybe Mitts and Tage Thompson for Virtanen&Gaudette&3rd? We can shuffle the deck a bit, Virtanen as 3RW and Gaudette as 4C. Not trying to screw you guys, but Virtanen&Gaudette look like garbage this year, not that Tage Thompson is looking like he will ever figure it out but he makes a million less than Jake.

I dont know about a pick for Mitts. Dont think I'd want less than a high 2nd.

PS...what's your Eichel offer? I'm at the point where I dont want anybody 22 and older in return. Pettersson and Hughes are off the table so then your best assets are 1sts, Hoglander Podkolzin and Woo and Rathbonw. I think most everybody (except me) would need Boeser in the deal. Quantity for quality, is Hoglander/Podkolzin/WooORRathbone/2 1sts too much?

 

[elchud]

Delete

 

[PettersonHughes]

PS...what's your Eichel offer? I'm at the point where I dont want anybody 22 and older in return. Pettersson and Hughes are off the table so then your best assets are 1sts, Hoglander Podkolzin and Woo and Rathbone. I think most everybody (except me) would need Boeser in the deal. Quantity for quality, is Hoglander/ Podkolzin/ WooORRathbone/ 2 1sts too much?

Nothing. Eichel doesn't fit our cap or team structure. 1) Bo and Petey are our 1-2 punch up the middle, 2) Boeser has finally found his form and is playing well on both ends of the ice (our MVP this season after Demko), 3) your ask is basically 4x 1st round picks (Podkolzin, 2x 1sts and Hoglander, who many scouts have said is a steal who should have gone in the 1st round and is one of our better guys), and 4) to afford Eichel for years at $10 million per with no retention, you guys would have to take all of our junk contracts and reduce the ask since Pettersson, Hughes and Demko all need to be paid, as will Boeser/ Horvat/ Miller in their next contracts.

 

[PettersonHughes]

Pre Covid, it looked like Virtanen/Gaudette were figuring it out.
To me Mitts is looking like maybe a 2LW as his upside, and we've got Skinner and Olofsson. Maybe Mitts and Tage Thompson for Virtanen&Gaudette&3rd? We can shuffle the deck a bit, Virtanen as 3RW and Gaudette as 4C. Not trying to screw you guys, but Virtanen&Gaudette look like garbage this year, not that Tage Thompson is looking like he will ever figure it out but he makes a million less than Jake.
I dont know about a pick for Mitts. Dont think I'd want less than a high 2nd.

At most straight across IMO, Vancouver should not be the team adding the 3rd. Gaudette's ceiling is still higher than Casey's IMO given how he put up 33 points in 59 games (0.56 pts /game) just last season while running our 2nd PP, and Benning likely still sees potential in him (Casey hasn't come close to materializing his 1st round pick pedigree, so I thought I'd keep that from being a point used for leverage, but 2nd LW upside with play-making and PK ability does make him valuable).

Virtanen for Thompson I'd probably do, since Jake's primary asset is rushing the puck or being the 1st guy in the zone to get it but he doesn't really fit our team's makeup. What are Casey and Thompson's skills and weaknesses?

 

[Jim Bob]

Trade him for Logan Brown.

Why?

 

[sufferer]

Why?

Because it was two months ago.

 

[Jim Bob]

Because it was two months ago.

Maybe 20 months ago...