Does Mitts still fit into the long term plans?

[Gabrielor]

Yeah I didn't mean it as a direct comparison. Mitts needs to find his game at the AHL level. Don't rush him out a year too early and find Staal and Hall gone after a year and wishing we had him to plug in.

Oh, I know, was just pointing out that one has a transferable skill he could continue to use in other systems, while the other can go compete with Robby Schremp in skills challenges.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

I get strong Josh Bailey vibes from Mitts

 

[Dubi Doo]

If Adams can pull off a Nylander for Joki esque trade, then peace! He should be on the block. I wouldnt want to sell low on him, though.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

If Adams can pull off a Nylander for Joki esque trade, then peace! He should be on the block. I wouldnt want to sell low on him, though.

Mitts for Dunn would be the Nylander for Jokiharju equivalent.

 

[OkimLom]

I get strong Josh Bailey vibes from Mitts

Curious, in what sense?

 

[jc17]

Curious, in what sense?

I'd guess the late bloomer thing. 6 seasons in bailey had a career high of 38 points.

Not sure about anything else

 

[Woodhouse]

Mittelstadt has a solid base of puck skill and skating, but unfortunately he hasn't taken to defensive instruction or pro training over his ELC years. He'll tease points because of that base and ice time, but among serious DY+3 and DY+4 forward AHL prospects, you could argue that only Lias Anderson and Connor Bunnaman had a worse EV impact last season. [FWIW, Tage Thompson and Brett Murray were positives in that regard; Eric Cornel too in lesser TOI.] He has yet to progress from the *defensive liability* stage, which sinks his pro potential more and more the longer it takes him to get to the *passable* or *not a liability* stage. Idk how he fits without that progression.

 

[Buffaloed]

Mittelstadt has a solid base of puck skill and skating, but unfortunately he hasn't taken to defensive instruction or pro training over his ELC years. He'll tease points because of that base and ice time, but among serious DY+3 and DY+4 forward AHL prospects, you could argue that only Lias Anderson and Connor Bunnaman had a worse EV impact last season. [FWIW, Tage Thompson and Brett Murray were positives in that regard; Eric Cornel too in lesser TOI.] He has yet to progress from the *defensive liability* stage, which sinks his pro potential more and more the longer it takes him to get to the *passable* or *not a liability* stage. Idk how he fits without that progression.

His game is behind mentally too. He didn't learn how to think the game because he always followed the path of least resistance.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

I’m rooting hard for the kid to turn it around. However, based on my observations he’ll probably show up out of shape and be relegated back to Rochester.

 

[Djp]

If Adams can pull off a Nylander for Joki esque trade, then peace! He should be on the block. I wouldnt want to sell low on him, though.

I don’t want yo trade for a Dman now who would get exposed in the ED. I’d rather keep him thus year thrn trade him for D post ED.

I don’t have a problem trading him for someone who might fit a more defensive center role if Cozens is a center.

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

It's not a beer gut, it's a huge ab!

It's not a 6 pack, it's a keg!

 

[Team Cozens]

I’m rooting hard for the kid to turn it around. However, based on my observations he’ll probably show up out of shape and be relegated back to Rochester.

If there was ever a off season to transform your body this was it. Almost 10 months off is a crazy amount of time.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

If there was ever a off season to transform your body this was it. Almost 10 months off is a crazy amount of time.

Exactly. No excuse this time. Haven’t seen him in a while but I’d imagine when I do, he’ll make Phil Kessel look fit.,

 

[Der Jaeger]

Someone needs to go to Minnesota and check on him.

 

[Paxon]

I don’t want yo trade for a Dman now who would get exposed in the ED. I’d rather keep him thus year thrn trade him for D post ED.

I don’t have a problem trading him for someone who might fit a more defensive center role if Cozens is a center.

We need a d-man right now so avoiding adding one over the draft is kinda silly

 

[HaNotsri]

Someone needs to go to Minnesota and check on him.

Start looking at Fat Lorenzo's they are even hiring new cooks to manage demand for some reason. Casey is probably huge by this point. BMI in at least three digits.

On a positive note he might solve our goalie problem.

 

[Chainshot]

Exactly. No excuse this time. Haven’t seen him in a while but I’d imagine when I do, he’ll make Phil Kessel look fit.,

Kessel though has that wild natural physique going for him - there is a story of him on the Pens out lifting people during fitness tests and just not looking like someone strong but being freakishly fit. Mitts has not exhibited that at all. But he is a competitive cuss, hoping a couple seasons of embarrassing results lights a fire under him for this long offseason.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Kessel though has that wild natural physique going for him - there is a story of him on the Pens out lifting people during fitness tests and just not looking like someone strong but being freakishly fit. Mitts has not exhibited that at all. But he is a competitive cuss, hoping a couple seasons of embarrassing results lights a fire under him for this long offseason.

i only liked your post for the use of “cuss.”

 

[Chainshot]

i only liked your post for the use of “cuss.”

Casey the Cuss...

 

[Der Jaeger]

Casey the Cuss...

When you used “cuss,” I envisioned a backwoods southerner.

Dat dare Case cain’t budge a wheebarra wit no dirt, but you welcome if he ain’t one tuff cuss in dat game, sure is, I tell you dat.

 

[Djp]

We need a d-man right now so avoiding adding one over the draft is kinda silly

You can find one with 1 yr till RFA or a low profile one that likely isn’t an ED target.

You go after a high end name player you run this risk. Thus the price you pay..is it worth a one yr rental or does it mean thrn having to trade Risto.

 

[Chainshot]

When you used “cuss,” I envisioned a backwoods southerner.

Dat dare Case cain’t budge a wheebarra wit no dirt, but you welcome if he ain’t one tuff cuss in dat game, sure is, I tell you dat.

I think of my maternal grandfather.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

When you used “cuss,” I envisioned a backwoods southerner.

Dat dare Case cain’t budge a wheebarra wit no dirt, but you welcome if he ain’t one tuff cuss in dat game, sure is, I tell you dat.

Roll Tide

 

[K8fool]

Mittlestadt should only be traded for a top 6 forward.. Period If he doesn't have that value after this year , fine.. Selling low on a guy that has shown flashes that seem to be realized the Year or two after he has the body of an adult..
I truly don't understand this logic.. Id sooner give away a 2021 first that better be at least 17th than part w him unless we drafted nylander2 which i dont see at all..

He has way better hands than tage..

 

[Bendium]

Mitts will not be a good NHL center. He might be able to develop into a serviceable winger on a protected scoring line, though we already have Tage in that slot. He likely has the most value in a trade. So....

1. Package him in a trade (+picks/others) for either a top six RW or top 2 LD.
2. Stop wasting time at center and give him a chance to make the club at RW.
3. Give him one more year in Rochester for either the lightbulb to come on.....or in traditional Sabres fashion, allow any remaining doubt and value to decay away into a rotting reminder of how bad we have drafted over the last decade.