Confirmed with Link: Avs acquire Casey Mittelstadt for Bo Byram

[Yatzhee]

Evening Avs fans (my favorite WC team).
Buffalo fan here. Just an FYI, glad Casey went to you guys, your going to love him, he's an offensive puck hound with great hockey IQ.
As for Bo, he's been life long best friend with our Dylan Cozens, they've dreamed of playing on the same NHL team since they were kids. This was told by Cozens after tonight's Toronto game. Yes, Bo will be paired with Dahlin on the 1st pairing here in Buffalo, Dahls plays the right side as a left handed shot, has for a few years now.
Hopefully a win / win trade for both clubs.

 

[MaKarter]

I hope Mittelstadt chooses #87 that way he gets a nice new watch when we get Crosby.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Wow, looking on Twitter… that platform really overrates Bowen Byram.

He’s just really overrated in general at this point right now. He’s been rough for the last two years. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t talented. The dude has a ton of talent and if he can reign it a little there’s plenty of upside here for Buffalo. I really hope it’s a win win because I like Bo a lot and hope he can be part of the solution in Buffalo.

 

[redacted]

He’s just really overrated in general at this point right now. He’s been rough for the last two years. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t talented. The dude has a ton of talent and if he can reign it a little there’s plenty of upside here for Buffalo. I really hope it’s a win win because I like Bo a lot and hope he can be part of the solution in Buffalo.

Yeah this. People still have the hype and he’s a likable kid. So fan connected really want him to work out… but the results aren’t there yet. Outside the Avs (and Canadian WJC crowd), they don’t have the hope or history and are just looking at results. There is some clear talent, but it needs refined or it’ll just be flash.

I honestly wish him the best. He’s not going to the best situation, but he’s going to have to make the best of it and prove the Avs made a mistake. I do expect he will finish the year very strong in Buffalo. Less responsibility defensively and the reigns will be off. He’ll get to play as free as he ever has in the NHL. Next year will be the real test. Real expectations within a system and having to carve out his own role there agains other talented defenders.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I hope Mitts wears something other than #37. He's worn a few different numbers over the last dozen years.

wore #11 in HS and also once with Team USA (that's taken)
wore #20 in the USHL and also once with Team USA (that's taken)
wore #21 in college (that's retired)
wore #14 in a prospects game (that is currently taken)
wore #22 with Team USA (that's available)

He told me at the WJSS he was going to try for 11 if he made the NHL.

It's way better than 37, I was like wtf? It didn't even make sense with his history.

 

[Puckstop40]

So center depth for the future might be MacK, Stadt, Ritchie.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I hope Mittelstadt chooses #87 that way he gets a nice new watch when we get Crosby.

I want him to choose something he hasn't worn before signifying a new start. Would love for him to choose an absolutely ugly looking number and make people love it.

I have no idea why Manson chose 42 as a jersey number but as a Douglas Adams fan I've always approved.

 

[CobraAcesS]

As an Avs fan - former 12 years season ticket holder - I am thrilled.

And admit that I didn't think it would happen.

But we should ALL watch where Casey is positioned in the line up on opening night of the playoffs.

If you are expecting Kadri... you will be disappointed. But if you want Adam Oates (or Nick Backstrom) level playmaking you will probably be delighted.

I've not seen Casey deal with NHL level playoff smash and grab and slash style play. Because he's never been there.

Yeah, that will definitely be a curve, but we have monsters for wingers. We just needed a legit facilitator. He's not Kadri, but Kadri's style isn't the only thing that works. I think Mitts is like Staz. It's a different personality type, and style, but I believe in his intelligence for and against the puck. Guys like Nuke, and Lehky being in the right place will feed on his passes for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Nuke has more confidence as a scorer now than when he played with Kadri. Yes issues, but when do we acknowledge he's a defensive PPG monster for 6M?

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

I want him to choose something he hasn't worn before signifying a new start. Would love for him to choose an absolutely ugly looking number and make people love it.

I have no idea why Manson chose 42 as a jersey number but as a Douglas Adams fan I've always approved.

Why Avalanche players chose their jersey numbers

Which player inspired Ross Colton's No. 20? Is there a story behind Alexandar Georgiev's No. 40?

theathletic.com

Manson’s number goes back to his younger days with the Ducks. Initially, the team gave him No. 83 for his first training camp.

“I came back two or three years later, and I think I developed quite a bit, and my number went from 83 to 42,” he said. “So either they lost my number and forgot about me and gave me 42 or I moved up and my number got better. … I was always too scared to ask to change my number, so I left it and it became my own. Coming here, they were like ‘Do you want 42?’ I went ‘Sure, why not?’”

Manson is the fifth player in Avalanche history to wear No. 42. Samuel Henley (2017) wore it most recently before Manson.

 

[the_fan]

I haven’t watched a lot of Buffalo games, but someone who knows Mittelstadt’s game, is he fast? Good defensively? Faceoffs? I’ve heard he’s a smart player

 

[AvalancheSpeedsters]

Trade was too good to last , it was vetoed
#TSNoopsie

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Ncit3]

I haven’t watched a lot of Buffalo games, but someone who knows Mittelstadt’s game, is he fast? Good defensively? Faceoffs? I’ve heard he’s a smart player

He's smart, methodical, and a facilitator. He is not a great faceoffs guy but Avs haven't had that much lately. He is not an elite but is a fair defender. From his analytics he just seems to be the kind of player that can play a creative brand of hockey to get his wingers/linemates chances to score. His jrfresh analytics have him as a great first assist guy that makes the play to create a scoring opportunity. He should fit great with our wingers. I just wish he was better on faceoffs. But maybe by Friday we can acquire someone who can fill that role and play 4th line center.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Bednar to CMac: "What do you mean? Are you saying I am now going to have Mitts instead of RyJo? Wow! Thanks bud."

 

[Pokecheque]

gonna be the best pairing in the league

We will see.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Bednar must be super excited to have Mitts over RyJo for the away games.

 

[Avs2022]

Eddie O just said in TNT, “people have said maybe he didn’t really want to be there anymore”

If true, then I’m even happier Bo is gone.

Eddie hates the Avs with a passion. He probably thinks all the players hate being in Colorado and want to get traded.

I dont know. I had unprotected sex with my ex and she got pregnant. I was shocked.

Was your wife mad?

 

[Bone Breaker]

finally the 2C problem is really solved. I swear if this fails than we are really CURSED.

just need to find a way to re-sign him later...

 

[Orvald]

As a sabres fan im sad to see him go, Thompson and Cozens are having a bad season and casey was one of the bright spots in this season. Casey has the potential to be a 60 point 2C every season, his defense is good too. But with good wingers casey will do 80 points easy, good trade for you guys.

Im not sure Byram is something we need, we have Dahlin and Power already, Dahlin can play RD, but not really sure how Byram complements our D. I feel like something else might happen.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

He's smart, methodical, and a facilitator. He is not a great faceoffs guy but Avs haven't had that much lately. He is not an elite but is a fair defender. From his analytics he just seems to be the kind of player that can play a creative brand of hockey to get his wingers/linemates chances to score. His jrfresh analytics have him as a great first assist guy that makes the play to create a scoring opportunity. He should fit great with our wingers. I just wish he was better on faceoffs. But maybe by Friday we can acquire someone who can fill that role and play 4th line center.

Pretty fair summary.

He's really improved his board play, winning puck battles with positioning and clever stick work. Protects the puck very well when he gets possession.

Casey is a fine distributor, and can be quite nifty with the puck on his stick. He'll find a teammate in a good scoring position after patiently getting to open ice.

He's sometimes too patient, passing up clean looks. His shot is good, not great, and quite accurate when he does use it.

I know the Avs have him pegged for 2C, but he's proven to be quite versatile. He's played center and wing with various linemates, and the combinations always seem to work.

After Casey's rookie season, all he seemed to care about was getting out on the golf course with his buds back in Minnesota. There is no trace of that goofy kid anymore. He's worked hard to become the player he is today, through injuries, doubters, and half a season in the AHL.

He's been our best and most consistent forward, leading scorer, and MVP this season.

I'm disappointed he was never in a playoff game with the Sabres, but thrilled he'll finally be able to do that with a legitimate Cup contender.

I'll be cheering for the Avs to go all the way. Look after our boy.

 

[McJedi]

I’m relieved the GM made up for his terrible RyJo mistake. Costly to dump him but team got an actual 2C and a 5D. Expensive to achieve but roster is more balanced today.

Mitts needs to float less and get into dirty areas more or he’ll disappoint. Skills are there. Toughness? Drive?

 

[jabubenice]

 

[jabubenice]

Granato was taken aback by Byram’s unbridled enthusiasm for joining close friends and former teammates in Buffalo. Byram, Cozens, Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn and Devon Levi won silver at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2021.

“I was even a little hesitant on the phone and wait to see and take a read from him, and I could not believe how excited he was about coming to our team,” Granato said. “He knows lots of guys in our locker room. He’s played with guys and spent time with them, even recently, and he was very, very excited to join us. That obviously picked me up hearing that. He’s one heck of a player. So, it was a swap of two very, very accomplished young hockey players with talent. We’re certainly happy to have him.”