Confirmed with Link: Avs acquire Casey Mittelstadt for Bo Byram

[Foppa2118]

Glad to hear these quotes on Bo from the boys…. I hope he fulfills his potential in buffalo.

There was more to that quote too.

"Bo, obviously great friend. Tough to see him go, he's such a great guy. We'll miss him, miss his personality a lot obviously, and as a player, obviously an amazing player. I'm excited to see him develop in Buffalo. I think he's gonna be a stud. More so than he already is."

- Nathan MacKinnon

 

[McJedi]

Granato has indicated Bo will play first pair with Dahlin.

Byram can make plays like this. Buffalo will feel very good about this trade by the end of this season. Signed. Avs fan. Congratulations on getting this guy.

FYI. It was known around the organization Byram didn’t want to stick around once Toews was re-signed. Byram wants to play top pair.

And if you run Byram - Dahlin, there will be several shifts where you dominate the opposition.

 

[shadow1]

Byram was awesome during the Cup run, and superb during the Stanley Cup Finals. Almost 26 minutes of ice time in the clinching Game 6 against Tampa Bay, which was over a full minute more than Makar. All that after a season in which he stepped away from the team during the regular season, and there was worry he was contemplating retirement. Incredible story, and flags fly forever. Byram's name is etched in the Stanley Cup and he's a big reason why.

But that was almost two full years ago. We haven't seen that player since, outside of flashes. This year in particular has been rough. At no point have I thought to myself "Colorado's defense is crazy deep, Byram's on the 3rd pair." It's been more like "Jesus Christ, this kid looks lost in the defensive zone." He has not been a fundamental part of what makes the Avalanche good this season; he's been a small-medium cog in a big machine.

And notice I said what makes the Avalanche "good", rather than "great"? This year's team has been a far cry from the Cup Champions. That team was 45-14-5 in its first 64 games - six wins better than the current club (39-17-5), who are less than a week removed from getting their stuff pushed in by Nashville. They're concerningly 14-14-5 on the road, where they've been outscored 102-115.

This Avalanche team has issues, and being patient with Byram was a luxury they could no longer afford. Toews has been one of the best defensemen in the NHL the last four years and is showing no signs of slowing down. Frankly, Walker is having such a better season than Byram that barring his season doing a 180, I feel like Colorado's defense has been upgraded.

But with that said, nothing would shock me less than Byram exploding in Buffalo. We've seen it a million times - especially on this team (Burakovsky, Nichushkin, Toews, etc.) - and I hope it happens for him.

 

[AllAboutAvs]

With the additions we are making starting today this team should be a lot better defensively as a group (although it might take a few games for the new guys to learn the system) so George/Annunen might be enough for the playoffs. All we need really is George to start saving the first 10 shots. He is usually pretty good the rest of the games.

 

[henchman21]

With the additions we are making starting today this team should be a lot better defensively as a group (although it might take a few games for the new guys to learn the system) so George/Annunen might be enough for the playoffs. All we need really is George to start saving the first 10 shots. He is usually pretty good the rest of the games.

So what you saying is..

He needs to






Start the games on time.

 

[Doohickie]

I heard EJ hates bo because Byram vommed in a potted plant during EJs cup celebration at his home. I heard it from the jogger I pushed into a pond the other day.

Doesn't matter, EJ's gone from Buffalo anyway. If not at the deadline, then at the end of the season. Boy was he washed.

 

[Foppa2118]

But that was almost two full years ago. We haven't seen that player since, outside of flashes.

TBF we didn't see the same Devon Toews after the Cup run, up until a couple months ago either. Same with Girard, for perhaps longer. And they're both older with a lot more games played.

Also didn't see Dahlin play as well as he has up until recently.

Same with Noah Dobson, Evan Bouchard, and Vince Dunn.

All of which are older with more games played and didn't miss the development time Byram has with concussions.

No reason to think Byram's play this regular season should define him, more than his play in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Not very common to see a 20 year old defenseman play at that level in the playoffs, and then completely lose it.

But it is somewhat common for defenseman in their early 20's to have a down year every now and then. Especially one playing on his off side and matched with Ryan Johansen's line for most of the season.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Disagree it makes sense, for the reasons I mentioned, but it puts pressure on Toews because Bednar had paired Bo with Cale a lot, and had been reluctant to pair Girard with him during games.

Maybe that changes, but I don't think that's their preference, so they may play Toews a lot more now.

They don't have another LD on the team to step into that role if Toews regresses, and they won't have the cap space, high draft pick, or trade assets to find a top pair D man any time soon.

Only LD's in the system to hopefully make the team at this point are Behrens and Gulyayev, but both seem closer to the Girard mold of player, so they may not pair them with Cale much either.

So there's pressure in the team sense that if Toews game falls off, the team could be in scramble mode. But hopefully that won't be an issue, or at least not for a little while.

But it totally makes sense for Bo. We all know Bo’s a confident and driven guy. Especially now that he has a cup, him wanting to go somewhere and be the lynchpin of a defense makes a lot of sense for him personally. He’s a dude that wants to be the 1D and be a PPQB and the whole 9 yards and that was never going to happen here.

It just sucks that he happened to go somewhere else that has similar potential roadblocks. But he has a great chance to solidify the Sabres top pair next to Dahlin and do some special stuff there.

 

[Foppa2118]

But he has a great chance to solidify the Sabres top pair next to Dahlin and do some special stuff there.

Agree on this part. I think the Sabres might have overtaken us as the best D core in the league. Gonna be a strength of theirs for many years like I was hoping it would here. That's how you win Cups.

 

[Alienblood]

But it totally makes sense for Bo. We all know Bo’s a confident and driven guy. Especially now that he has a cup, him wanting to go somewhere and be the lynchpin of a defense makes a lot of sense for him personally. He’s a dude that wants to be the 1D and be a PPQB and the whole 9 yards and that was never going to happen here.

It just sucks that he happened to go somewhere else that has similar potential roadblocks. But he has a great chance to solidify the Sabres top pair next to Dahlin and do some special stuff there.

yes exactly, he just had to go and get his chance. It's what he wanted

Agree on this part. I think the Sabres might have overtaken us as the best D core in the league. Gonna be a strength of theirs for many years like I was hoping it would here. That's how you win Cups.

agreed and me too but you have to think that the Avs did him a favor. There is no way he didn't want to go and get more of an opportunity. That's just the reality

 

[Doohickie]

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.

Typical Mitts play: Carries into the zone, stalls out against the half-wall when challenged by the defender, looks like he's going to lose the puck, then suddenly centers it into the slot to a linemate for a glorious scoring opportunity.

Example:

He was kind of a pushover in the past but every year he's put on muscle and become tougher to play against.

He was actually slotted to be Buffalo's 1C at the start of the 2021-22 season but was injured in the first game of the season (nasty slash broke his wrist), opening the door for Tage Thompson. Late last season when Thompson suffered an injury they moved Mitts up to 1C and he shined.

 

[Foppa2118]

agreed and me too but you have to think that the Avs did him a favor. There is no way he didn't want to go and get more of an opportunity. That's just the reality

I think he could have had that opportunity here as soon as next year, but it's a moot point now. We'll never know.

 

[Doohickie]

Byram can make plays like this. Buffalo will feel very good about this trade by the end of this season. Signed. Avs fan. Congratulations on getting this guy.

FYI. It was known around the organization Byram didn’t want to stick around once Toews was re-signed. Byram wants to play top pair.

And if you run Byram - Dahlin, there will be several shifts where you dominate the opposition.

You'll enjoy having Mitts on the Avs. He's a developmental success story, getting better each year in the league. He's also very versatile and can play anywhere in the top three lines, driving offense and defensively responsible.

 

[Alienblood]

I think he could have had that opportunity here as soon as next year, but it's a moot point now. We'll never know.

Agreed but like i.say he more than likely wanted out so.Joe did him a favor like the class guy he is.

When Toews regresses this dcore is in big trouble

 

[McJedi]

You'll enjoy having Mitts on the Avs. He's a developmental success story, getting better each year in the league. He's also very versatile and can play anywhere in the top three lines, driving offense and defensively responsible.

Great. We need a C that can play to the level of his really solid wings. The Avs should now have a very competitive 2nd line if he’s what you say he is.

 

[Foppa2118]

I am looking forward to having a playmaking center again. Avs have missed those for a long time.

He needs to continue to improve his game and his production though. Hopefully he can with Val and Lehky or whoever he plays with.

Might need to improve his skating and shot to play 2C for the Avs too.

 

[McJedi]

Agreed but like i.say he more than likely wanted out so.Joe did him a favor like the class guy he is.

When Toews regresses this dcore is in big trouble

The Avs gave Toews a long contract. A 2D contract. That’s the plan.

 

[BobRossColton]

Are we just sticking Mikko on Casey's line the rest of the season or flip flopping him and Nuke?

 

[The Moops]

Typical Mitts play: Carries into the zone, stalls out against the half-wall when challenged by the defender, looks like he's going to lose the puck, then suddenly centers it into the slot to a linemate for a glorious scoring opportunity.

Example:

He was kind of a pushover in the past but every year he's put on muscle and become tougher to play against.

He was actually slotted to be Buffalo's 1C at the start of the 2021-22 season but was injured in the first game of the season (nasty slash broke his wrist), opening the door for Tage Thompson. Late last season when Thompson suffered an injury they moved Mitts up to 1C and he shined.

Buffalo has one of the best goal horns in the league. Don't @ me

 

[The Abusement Park]

I am looking forward to having a playmaking center again. Avs have missed those for a long time.

He needs to up his production though. Hopefully he can with Val and Lehky or whoever he plays with.

Might need to improve his skating and shot to play 2C for the Avs too.

I don’t really think there needs to be uptick in his production or anything really. He produces at a 2nd line rate and is quite good defensively. He’s a great playmaker which is a great compliment to Nuke and Lehky who I’m guessing will be his wingers who are good finishers.

And from what I’ve seen his skating is fine. He’s not a burner or anything, but he seems to be great on his edges and has pretty good acceleration which is the most important thing imo.

 

[Avs44]

Are we just sticking Mikko on Casey's line the rest of the season or flip flopping him and Nuke?

I'd personally like to see them experiment with something like this for a few games...

Drouin - MacKinnon - Nishushkin
Lehkonen - Mittelstadt - Rantanen

But they might stick with Lehkonen - MacKinnon - Rantanen for a bit, especially since MacK and Rants always seem to find their way back together, and start Mittelstadt with Nuke and Drouin (even though I don't really want to see Drouin and Mitts together). A soft landing for Mitts would be Nuke and Lehkonen, which would give him two hard working, speedy forecheckers.

 

[Foppa2118]

I don’t really think there needs to be uptick in his production or anything really. He produces at a 2nd line rate and is quite good defensively. He’s a great playmaker which is a great compliment to Nuke and Lehky who I’m guessing will be his wingers who are good finishers.

And from what I’ve seen his skating is fine. He’s not a burner or anything, but he seems to be great on his edges and has pretty good acceleration which is the most important thing imo.

I think they could have found a 60 point center without this deal. Both this year and long term, perhaps even internally.

The only hurdle was cap space, and this year would have been prorated, and next year Mitt's getting a big raise.

But this is the path we're on now so I'm rooting for it to work.

 

[jabubenice]

 

[jabubenice]

Bo with dahlin

 

[EdAVSfan]

Great start for him. Happy for the guy. Can’t imagine what it’s like to go from Stanley cup contender to buffalo