Proposal: Buffalo-Minnesota

[KrakenSabresMike]

Buffalo isn't in a position to add Fiala right now -- it's the area of least need and he'd be bumping young players off the roster.

Buffalo needs a goalie and a defenseman, maybe a vet center. UFA-to-be wingers are not on the shopping list at all.

100% this - If we just use the draft picks we have this year we will be flush with enough forward prospects to be able to treat a few in 2 to 3 years to improve. No need to trade a bunch of assets for somebody that is redundant even though he’s a very good player. I would just stay the course, keep the guys that work out, and use other prospects for upgrades in two years when we’re ready to compete for bigger prizes

I doubt it. But at least you admit Mittelstadt is a crappy center.

He’s not a crappy center - He’s not a first line center like everyone hoped it would be, but he will settle out somewhere between a good second line center and scoring third line center. Starting the year he was buffalo’s best offensive player before he got injured.

 

[Jacob582]

I doubt it. But at least you admit Mittelstadt is a crappy center.

Did you forsee Hartman or Gaudreau having the season they had?

 

[Digitalbooya]

He’s not a crappy center - He’s not a first line center like everyone hoped it would be, but he will settle out somewhere between a good second line center and scoring third line center. Starting the year he was buffalo’s best offensive player before he got injured.

On some other team, maybe he's a 2nd or 3rd line center. He's not better than Hartman, Eriksson Ek, or Gaudreau at this point. His upside isn't higher than Rossi who is looking to crack the roster to provide young ELC production.

"Starting the year he was buffalo's best offensive player before he got injured." The guy got injured in the first game of the season... He got 0 points in a 5-1 blowout of Montreal. Before January he had 4GP 0G 1A 1PT -6 7 shots. I don't think your statement is true.

Did you forsee Hartman or Gaudreau having the season they had?

Hartman next to Kaprizov and Zucc I would have expected at least 25+30.

Gaudreau was a bit of a surprise given his history. He turned into our best faceoff guy in the top 9 and a reliable, speedy defensive presence next to Fiala and Boldy.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Just to understand Peterkas value, he may have almost as much value as the 9th overall pick this draft.

I'd say his value is as high as 11th overall this draft, as low as 21st.

9th + 16th is too much for Fiala given the salary cap world and the fact that Buffalo has significant wing depth. 9th + 41st would be fair value for Buffalo but would necessitate secondary moves.

If Ottawa offers 7th overall plus a prospect with high 2nd round value that seems a fair trade for both sides.

I’d much rather lose 9OA than Peterka

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Which center out of Hartman, Eriksson Ek, and Gaudreau is Mittelstadt better than? Go ahead.

All of them, eventually.

2 mediocre players, and a solid EK until this year. Mitts was hurt all season until the final quarter.

 

[Jacob582]

Hartman next to Kaprizov and Zucc I would have expected at least 25+30.

Gaudreau was a bit of a surprise given his history. He turned into our best faceoff guy in the top 9 and a reliable, speedy defensive presence next to Fiala and Boldy.

Mittlestadt next to Kaprizov and Zucc I would expect at least 25+30.

 

[Digitalbooya]

All of them, eventually.

When Hartman and Gaudreau retire?

I'd wager that Mittelstadt will never be better than Eriksson Ek. Eriksson Ek is one of the best two way centers in the game.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

When Hartman and Gaudreau retire?

I'd wager that Mittelstadt will never be better than Eriksson Ek. Eriksson Ek is one of the best two way centers in the game.

I love EK, i think Mitts tops out around his skill set. Hartman and Gaudreau on the other hand were afterthoughts until this year.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Mittlestadt next to Kaprizov and Zucc I would expect at least 25+30.

Mittelstadt, the guy who has never scored more than 12 goals or 13 assists in a single season. I would maybe expect 20+25

 

[Jacob582]

Mittelstadt, the guy who has never scored more than 12 goals or 13 assists in a single season. I would maybe expect 20+25

Well, since you were way off with projections for Hartman, I expect you're way off here too.

 

[57special]

Mittlestadt has proven to be nothing but a disappointment, so far. Still has time to show something, but he will 24yo next fall. At this point, he just doesn't have much value.

Seems like, in general, that BUF fans don't value Fiala compared to the fanbases of some other teams. Fair enough, time to move on.

Well, since you were way off with projections for Hartman, I expect you're way off here too.

And you base that on what? Your feelings?

 

[Irie]

Which center out of Hartman, Eriksson Ek, and Gaudreau is Mittelstadt better than? Go ahead.

Mittelstatd was always going to be a late bloomer, the kid was physically late to develop. He's always been a couple years behind the average physical development curve.

That said, at his current age, he's way ahead of where Hartman, Gaudeau, or Eriksson Ek were at that same age in terms of top-six center material.

Yes, us Minnesotans don't know anything about Mittlestadt

Anyone labelling him a 4th line center likely doesn't.

It is fair to say that his value is not very high, and buffalo fans know that, that is why all but one guy are against trading him. (The one fan hates Mittelstadt, I think he slept with his girlfriend...)

But shitting on a young player that has shown as much upside as Mittelstadt has is unwarranted.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I love EK, i think Mitts tops out around his skill set. Hartman and Gaudreau on the other hand were afterthoughts until this year.

I don't think Mittelstadt has the defensive prowess that Eriksson Ek has, which is his best attribute. Greenway-Ek-Foligno had an 83.3 GF% this year because they just don't give up goals as a line.

Now Hartman is a known 34+31 guy between those two. Gaudreau is probably your best argument for a center that Mittelstadt is better than. A 29 year old who had 18 regular season points total prior to this year.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Mittelstatd was always going to be a late bloomer, the kid was physically late to develop. He's always been a couple years behind the average physical development curve.

That said, at his current age, he's way ahead of where Hartman, Gaudeau, or Eriksson Ek were at that same age in terms of top-six center material.


Anyone labelling him a 4th line center likely doesn't.

It is fair to say that his value is not very high, and buffalo fans know that, that is why all but one guy are against trading him. (The one fan hates Mittelstadt, I think he slept with his girlfriend...)

But shitting on a young player that has shown as much upside as Mittelstadt has is unwarranted.

Can you find a single shred of evidence that Mittelstadt is better than Hartman, Eriksson Ek, or Gaudreau at this moment? Anything at all. I'm all ears.

Cause if you can't, then he's a 4th line center on Minnesota.

 

[Djp]

When Hartman and Gaudreau retire?

I'd wager that Mittelstadt will never be better than Eriksson Ek. Eriksson Ek is one of the best two way centers in the game.

it’s a very safe bet if Mittlestadt stays healthy he puts up more points than E-Ek In 22/23 season

Hartmrnt is not a safe bet right now to repeat his season numbers.

 

[Digitalbooya]

it’s a very safe bet if Mittlestadt stays healthy he puts up more points than E-Ek In 22/23 season

Mittelstadt could put up more points than Ek and he still wouldn't be better.

 

[Irie]

Can you find a single shred of evidence that Mittelstadt is better than Hartman, Eriksson Ek, or Gaudreau at this moment? Anything at all. I'm all ears.

Cause if you can't, then he's a 4th line center on Minnesota.

You are being disingenuous.

Every piece of a trade is an asset. You called Mittelstadt a 4th line center, which there is no world where he is. If you have him in Minnesota, you play him on the wing or move him for other assets.

And if you are being honest about your dire cap situation, then you likely know that there is a real possibility that Gaudreau walks in a year and Hartman in two years, and you are going to need replacements.

Ultimately this discussion is a waste of time as Adams is not moving Mittelstadt. It was only to correct you on your mischaracterization of a player that has been common on these boards.

 

[Samsonite23]

Lol, we aren’t moving Mitts either. He was out most of last season. Of course everybody thinks he sucks. He’s been out or playing hurt, and this is hfboards. He is absolutely not a 4th line center though. Weird evaluation.

This shouldn’t even be a discussion. Mitts + 1st doesn’t make sense. Minny would need to be seriously high on him because Buffalo should absolutely not sell low on him.

 

[Digitalbooya]

You are being disingenuous.

Every piece of a trade is an asset. You called Mittelstadt a 4th line center, which there is no world where he is. If you have him in Minnesota, you play him on the wing or move him for other assets.

And if you are being honest about your dire cap situation, then you likely know that there is a real possibility that Gaudreau walks in a year and Hartman in two years, and you are going to need replacements.

Ultimately this discussion is a waste of time as Adams is not moving Mittelstadt. It was only to correct you on your mischaracterization of a player that has been common on these boards.

No, I'm being a realist. Buffalo fans are dealing in hypotheticals as if they are guaranteed to happen.

He's a 4th line center on Minnesota. He makes ZERO sense as a trade target. At his current best, he wouldn't crack the top 9 that Minnesota currently has and his best shot to do so would be as a center against Gaudreau. I expect Rossi to perform better than Mittelstadt would.

If Gaudreau walks in a year then Rossi takes his spot at 3C. The following year you move Rossi up to 1C, Ek still at 2C, and then you hope that one of Khusnutdinov, Shaw, Hentges or Khovanov can hold the spot over for 1 year to get out of the dead cap era. If Fiala is traded for 7th overall (my expectation), then I don't think the cap is that big of a problem and hopefully by then the player selected will be nearing NHL ready.

You didn't even correct me. You couldn't provide one shred of evidence that Mittelstadt is better than Hartman, Ek or Gaudreau.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Lol, we aren’t moving Mitts either. He was out most of last season. Of course everybody thinks he sucks. He’s been out or playing hurt, and this is hfboards. He is absolutely not a 4th line center though. Weird evaluation.

This shouldn’t even be a discussion. Mitts + 1st doesn’t make sense. Minny would need to be seriously high on him because Buffalo should absolutely not sell low on him.

4th line center on Minnesota

 

[57special]

Lol, we aren’t moving Mitts either. He was out most of last season. Of course everybody thinks he sucks. He’s been out or playing hurt, and this is hfboards. He is absolutely not a 4th line center though. Weird evaluation.

This shouldn’t even be a discussion. Mitts + 1st doesn’t make sense. Minny would need to be seriously high on him because Buffalo should absolutely not sell low on him.

No one In MN wants Mittlestadt! Keep him, please! And I say this as someone who thought highly of CM during his draft year.

 

[Fly Boy]

Can we just lock thus already? Buffalo clearly doesn't want to pay the asking price, and Fiala isn't a guy they are realistically going after most likely.

 

[Samsonite23]

No one In MN wants Mittlestadt! Keep him, please! And I say this as someone who thought highly of CM during his draft year.

That’s why I said it doesn’t make sense….

But keep bashing the guy for some reason.

 

[Samsonite23]

4th line center on Minnesota

I wouldn't trade Fiala for a 4th line center and a mid 1st in a meh

You didn’t say that originally, but I appreciate the clarification.

 

[Digitalbooya]

You didn’t say that originally, but I appreciate the clarification.

I thought people could infer that. Definitely an oversight on my part.