stokes84
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Mittlestadt’s development as a really good two way player might be DL the biggest development of the year so far.
Player Discussion Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 8th) #37 - Part III
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Fjordy
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- Jun 20, 2018
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It's not a surprise for me, I expected something like that, because he almost always looked decent under Granato, he was just unlucky with an injury last season. Casey has always had a skill.
Conditioning was my biggest complaint of his when he first got ice time with the Sabres. He's definitely been putting in work at it is extremely noticable. Last year he showed flashes but it was just a fluke injury year. He completely changes the dynamics of this team if he can be consistent.
Team Cozens
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Mittelstadt's improved speed along with a faster Cozens and the addition of JJ Peterka makes the Sabres a very tough team to contain. Especially with Vinnies in the lineup.
TheMistyStranger
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- May 21, 2005
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I think the wave after wave of speed and skill is leading to a lot of their success, along with the vastly improved goaltending.
itwasaforwardpass
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- Mar 4, 2017
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Casey has also greatly improved on draws. Who needs Eakin?
HaNotsri
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- Dec 29, 2013
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Come on Casey, you are sooo close to breaking out. Break the glass ceiling!
stokes84
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tsujimoto74
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- May 28, 2012
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The biggest thing with him, apart from just being healthy so far this season, is the speed. He definitely looks like he's gotten faster.
HaNotsri
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To me it looks more like he puts effort in to get separation before doing the fancy stuff. It's more like he makes sure to generate speed before anything else.
GrierIsGod123
Registered User
Is it possible he can be a strong 3C with two-way skills and FO ability? Is that role already taken by Cozens? I think the dreams of Mitts being a good top-six center may be dead, but it doesn't mean all is lost.
I think they could build a good third line around Mitts and Asplund, but they need a better fit at RW. Again, if only they could clone Tuch. Maybe put Krebs and Olofsson on the block in search of a longer-term fit at RW. Perhaps that guy is already in the system (i.e. Kulich).
I think they could build a good third line around Mitts and Asplund, but they need a better fit at RW. Again, if only they could clone Tuch. Maybe put Krebs and Olofsson on the block in search of a longer-term fit at RW. Perhaps that guy is already in the system (i.e. Kulich).
yeah I've been thnking of late what if he's 'only' a Mikael Backlund type? Theres value to that, pops for 45-55 pts in his prime while playing good D, not the 60-70 pt guy some are hoping for. I think Cozens will be more of a legit top6 C when all is said vs a two-way 3 C, so slotting Mitts behind him isnt an issue.
Agree on this - except it kind of leaves Krebs in a weird spot. I really don’t see him at wing long-term.
He has to show he can figure out how to be defensively responsible and not cause direct HDCA with his play in his own zone. If he can't do that, he's not displacing anyone at center.
WhereAreTheCookies
Registered User
I think with Tage locked up, Cozens showing he is at the very least a 3C if not a 2C, and Mitts looking like he could also be a solid 3C at the least, Krebs is going to have to show something sooner rather than later. Savoie, Ostlund and Kulich are young but at least one of them could be pushing for spots in the line-up as early as next season.
Perhaps packaging Krebs and Joker could net them an upgrade at RD. Not saying I'm giving up on the players, just that eventually they need to find ways to upgrade the right side while also easing the logjam of young forwards.
HaNotsri
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- Dec 29, 2013
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Could have easily had 6-8 more points already. Puck just won't go in. So frustrating.
Zman5778
Moderator
Hell, he could have had 3 goals TONIGHT. Each of those posts were square and LOUD.
Deep Blue Metallic
Bo knows hockey.
- Mar 5, 2021
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Casey is easily playing the best and most consistent hockey of his career (let's consider the Seattle gaffe an anomaly). He's displaying an all-around game that I didn't think he had in him.
7 points in 9 games. The goals will come.
7 points in 9 games. The goals will come.
Bendium
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- Oct 18, 2019
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I was not a fan of the Mittelstadt pick. Thought he was a soft trick shot artist, and his first couple years seemed to play out that way. Then he seemed to get that he was in danger of failing, and spent a summer at Erik Rassmussen's training center to get stronger and faster. He came back with a purpose and my hope for him began to rise. Then injury....injury...injury.
Going into this year I was excited to see him get one more full opportunity to breakout at center. And it just never happened. The more I watched, the more it seemed to me he was playing hard, but seemed like a player thinking about everything and thus being a half second behind on making decisions, or, at times not thinking at all and just going barreling in. Makes it hard on wingers. So.....I have finally come around to the idea that after NHL 225 games, a breakout at center may not be in the cards. Makes me think a position change (like with Tage) may be more likely to have a bigger effect. On the wing he has less responsibility and can just play hard and think less.
I wonder if Casey and his agent were ahead of that this offseason, with multiple times him or his agent suggesting the wing as a possibility. Even Casey in training camp saying:
“Wherever he puts me, I’ll play, I’ll play hard and try to have some fun,” said Mittelstadt, who will likely make his preseason debut tonight. “I think I’ve played both before, so it’s no problem bouncing back and forth. … It honestly doesn’t feel much different playing wing and playing center, especially in our system, just because we’re trying to always be moving and then pressure the puck."
The last couple games as Skinners replacement he looks better and more comfortable. (Yes I realize he is playing with better players.) At this point I hope when Skinner comes back that they give Casey a long look as the third line LW next to Jost and see where we get.
Going into this year I was excited to see him get one more full opportunity to breakout at center. And it just never happened. The more I watched, the more it seemed to me he was playing hard, but seemed like a player thinking about everything and thus being a half second behind on making decisions, or, at times not thinking at all and just going barreling in. Makes it hard on wingers. So.....I have finally come around to the idea that after NHL 225 games, a breakout at center may not be in the cards. Makes me think a position change (like with Tage) may be more likely to have a bigger effect. On the wing he has less responsibility and can just play hard and think less.
I wonder if Casey and his agent were ahead of that this offseason, with multiple times him or his agent suggesting the wing as a possibility. Even Casey in training camp saying:
“Wherever he puts me, I’ll play, I’ll play hard and try to have some fun,” said Mittelstadt, who will likely make his preseason debut tonight. “I think I’ve played both before, so it’s no problem bouncing back and forth. … It honestly doesn’t feel much different playing wing and playing center, especially in our system, just because we’re trying to always be moving and then pressure the puck."
The last couple games as Skinners replacement he looks better and more comfortable. (Yes I realize he is playing with better players.) At this point I hope when Skinner comes back that they give Casey a long look as the third line LW next to Jost and see where we get.
joshjull
Registered User
IIRC the wing idea was from Granato. Which makes sense with us having four options for our top 3 center spots. Granato wanted at least one of Mitts/Krebs to figure out playing wing so he could have the option of both of them in the top 9.
Seems he has moved on from being the Twitter whipping boy for now too.
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