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

[SolidSnakeUS]

There was a recent Skype interview of him posted here by the Amerks in house reporter. Skype isn't flattering to anybody but he still looks so pudgy and soft. Some of that is genetics but I think it has more to do with his commitment to physical conditioning/strengthening and diet. Sam Reinhart came back after his rookie season looking noticeably different, his neck was much thicker, shoulders bigger, less baby fat.

I think Mittelstadt has just had it too easy. That decision to stay in high school because he wanted to win a championship with his buddies really wasn't a good sign. Whenever he's interviewed about his struggles he always answers 'i'm not worried, it always has come around for me, i just have to be patient' - I think that is a very honest answer, he believes if he just keeps playing hockey everything will fall in place. NHL players are driven, they get stronger and faster, they hire nutritionists/chefs, hire skills tutors - he doesn't seem to get that part of it yet, it should be obvious to him by now what he has to do to be an NHL player.

He strikes me as a kid who if he doesn't succeed in the NHL it won't bother him, he'll be back in upper middle class Eden Prairie and with his connections and fame he'll get into some business and live a good life.

He's similar to Alex Nylander, just don't think either of them completely gets it.

The difference between Alex Nylander and Mitts is that Mitts was straight up rushed. While he did want to go pro after his first year, the Sabres should have known better to keep him there for another year. Nylander has 84 games in the NHL and Mitts played 114 games and got drafted a year after Nylander. Mitts wasn't rounded enough to play in the NHL, and should have had another year in college and at least a full year in the AHL before being brought up.

I don't think he's taking it as easy as he was, but I think he's happier about his own play and where he is than he was previously. The AHL coach got him to play in all situations, taking PK draws, blocking shots, be much more responsible on both ends of the ice, with and without the puck and also let him make up for his mistakes. That is how you're supposed to coach and kid and the AHL is what he's needed. He didn't need that 77 game season last year in the NHL, as he should of spent that to learn how to be better for the NHL, than to just expect to just be good anyways.

He's still raw, but he seems to be young, motivated and getting the right kind of practice, play and training that he definitely needed. Give it 2 or 3 years. Even if he isn't topping 80 or 90 points a season, he'll be a good 60 to 70 point player that can work both ends of the ice.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Kid will never be anything until he commits to fitness and he hasn’t done that yet.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

Kid will never be anything until he commits to fitness and he hasn’t done that yet.

Has there been a recent article saying or showing that he hasn't been?

 

[Flash20]

I wish he would shock us all and just have a six pack when season starts...

Or jack and every one else will just make fun of him

 

[joshjull]

I wish he would shock us all and just have a six pack when season starts...

Or jack and every one else will just make fun of him

He certainly has an amazing opportunity this offseason. I said something in Tage’s thread.

Our young guys (Dahlin, Joker, Cozens, Mitts,Tage, etc) have an unprecedented amount of time this offseason to work on their strength, conditioning, etc.

 

[Dirty Dog]

He certainly has an amazing opportunity this offseason. I said something in Tage’s thread.

Our young guys (Dahlin, Joker, Cozens, Mitts,Tage, etc) have an unprecedented amount of time this offseason to work on their strength, conditioning, etc.

it’s a great point. I’m really excited to see what they do with it. Someone like Tage, who seems to always be working hard, might surprise us.

 

[Ehran]

it’s a great point. I’m really excited to see what they do with it. Someone like Tage, who seems to always be working hard, might surprise us.

I just wonder, with his shoulder injury, how much upper body work he could do this summer?

 

[joshjull]

I just wonder, with his shoulder injury, how much upper body work he could do this summer?

He should be able to do a decent amount with the season being pushed back. It gives him 4-5 months from the end of his recovery from surgery to the start of training camp (Nov.17th).

Guys like Mitts, Dahlin, Joker and Cozens will have had from mid March to Nov 17th to work with (8 months). Obviously they are not going to be training from the moment their seasons ended until training camp. Nobody does that even during a normal 5 month offseason (for a non playoff team). But they all have an opportunity to put in a decent amount of work during this break. Even accounting for them delaying due to uncertainties.

 

[CambieKev]

Some recent footage of Casey Mittelstadt with Rochester for those interested. He's #73 in blue.

 

[OkimLom]

Some recent footage of Casey Mittelstadt with Rochester for those interested. He's #73 in blue.

Lots of magicians without the puck with the amount of stick waving going on.

 

[Flash20]

Was hoping to see a picture of him when I saw the updated thread lol...

That boy better be in good shape

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

Was hoping to see a picture of him when I saw the updated thread lol...

That boy better be in good shape

i've got you covered, but i don't think you'll like what you see:

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

Any hockey player with a double chin in todays NHL with personal chefs, state of the art gyms etc is a f***ing disgrace. Mitts has the body of Alex Van Pelt aka dough boy

 

[FormerSabresFan]

At this point I would look to package him with one of our excess D and maybe picks to fill a hole in the top 6, ideally at C.

In a couple years he might put it together but good chance he busts too so better to trade him for immediate help then wait for him to have no value.

Best case scenario in a couple years he might be a 3rd line C/winger but we don't have that kind of time anymore...I'll take the sure fire NHLer.

 

[Ralonzo]

Any hockey player with a double chin in todays NHL with personal chefs, state of the art gyms etc is a f***ing disgrace. Mitts has the body of Alex Van Pelt aka dough boy

Sergei Gomolyako played at what was estimated at 270

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Mitts looks like a young, fat, Phil Kessel without the skill. He’s got no one to blame but himself. Hopefully he proves me and the other naysayers wrong by working on his strength and conditioning this offseason instead of using it for extra Taco Bell runs and Fortnite.

i still have a little hope he can be a top 6 player, not much, but alittle.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

We're not going to be able to pull another Nylander trade and turn Mitts into someone more valuable, but I do think he'll become an NHL player, a useful mid-6 center. Not worth his draft spot, obviously (Botts should've taken Vilardi, like most of us wanted) -- but not absolute garbage either.

Since his upside is limited, I don't think he'll fetch much at all on the market.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

The kid is current 21 and still growing. I'm still wondering about what all the doom and gloom is about with him. Give him time, he will get better and he showed that he definitely can do that in the AHL. No, he's not looking to be a superstar, but I think people are hand waving him too easily.

 

[Buffaloed]

The kid is current 21 and still growing. I'm still wondering about what all the doom and gloom is about with him. Give him time, he will get better and he showed that he definitely can do that in the AHL. No, he's not looking to be a superstar, but I think people are hand waving him too easily.

I'm reminded of Jared McCann who was rushed to the NHL and now he's seen as viable #2 center by some Sabres fans. Kasperi Kapanen spent almost 2½ years in the AHL. I'm not a fan of his, but there's still time for Mittelstadt. Assuming he puts in the work, Seth Appert could be the right guy to get his fundamentals fixed.

 

[BloFan4Life]

We're not going to be able to pull another Nylander trade and turn Mitts into someone more valuable, but I do think he'll become an NHL player, a useful mid-6 center. Not worth his draft spot, obviously (Botts should've taken Vilardi, like most of us wanted) -- but not absolute garbage either.

Since his upside is limited, I don't think he'll fetch much at all on the market.

Something like Mitts for Chychrun with Arizona's issues.

 

[Buffaloed]

There's no truth to the rumor that Mittelstadt paid $10,000 for an iPhone with Fornite installed. Just wanted to get that out of the way.
iphone 8 plus with Fortnite | eBay

 

[cybresabre]

Mitts looks like a young, fat, Phil Kessel without the skill. He’s got no one to blame but himself. Hopefully he proves me and the other naysayers wrong by working on his strength and conditioning this offseason instead of using it for extra Taco Bell runs and Fortnite.

i still have a little hope he can be a top 6 player, not much, but alittle.

It's not just Kessel's skill--he's a physical freak without trying, so he never really needed to try.

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

Sergei Gomolyako played at what was estimated at 270

That was decades ago and not in the NHL. When your 19,20,21 with a huge metabolism, state of the art gyms and professional chefs and dieticians to help you there is no reason why Mitts is in the shape he is in.

 

[Chainshot]

That was decades ago and not in the NHL. When your 19,20,21 with a huge metabolism, state of the art gyms and professional chefs and dieticians to help you there is no reason why Mitts is in the shape he is in.

Oh, there is a reason he isn't in the cardio shape he needs to be in. And that reason is him.

 

[Flash20]

Anyone surprised he was not signed first ? He's either out of shape more or he's getting moved