Confirmed with Link: Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 8th) - Signed, #37

[The Blunder Years]

He was the BPA in my opinion. Gonna be a fun one to watch if he translates. Don't know why people are salty about this pick because he seems like a speedy skilled north-south player with a good two way game. Fits in with our team build.

 

[57special]

Lot of misconceptions here.

-First off, he is not weak, or small. He is quite strong on his skates. He is 200 lb., or thereabouts.

-He is not lazy but a rink rat. Very skilled hands...think Patrick Kane.

-He is above average in speed, but not blazing fast . Will get faster once with the Gophers.

- Has the ability to control the puck in small areas.

- If he has a weakness it is a totally understandable one. His job has been to drive the offense, not be a two way grinder. There can be an element of "floater" to his game...remind you of anyone(hint, i mentioned him already)?

-while it's true that MN HS isn't the strongest league, he does play in the strongest conference, against good, well coached teams.

- has a really good wrister with a quick release.

- excllent, quick passer.

- I found it humorous that on the draft TV broadcast they rated Offense as his weakest attribute. Wha?

Anyway, I'm not saying he is next Patrick Kane, but there are stylistic similarities, and he is significantly bigger than Kane. I'm a bit puzzled as to why BUF picked him, except that perhaps he has the potential to be a homerun pick for them. Surely they don't plan to convert him into a bottom 6 two way C? That is not what he is about.

Surely BUF didn't need another Center, and could've picked a Dman at #8?

Anyway, good luck with CM. No pick is a sure thing, but he certainly has the potential to be special. I just question whether or not he will get any playing time with the logjam he has ahead of him at C, and I don't get picking a C and converting him to wing. I don't see him as a good nose to the glass, forechecking winger that will battle it out around the crease. He is about skill.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

It was absolutely real - he was a massive Penguins fan by the looks of it.

Deleted now though.

I missed it. Does anyone have it saved?

 

[tsujimoto74]

Can't really complain. Neither Makar nor Heiskanen fell, and we steered clear of Rasmussen.

We definitely need to have a D-heavy day 2, though.

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

RoR for example can be described as tenacious and gritty even though he hardly throws checks...but he does indeed use his body well. Before the draft Mittelstadt was a prospect I actually wanted Buffalo to NOT pick. Partly due to the NCAA route but for high draft choices him pulling a Vesey is almost slim to none. I also was wary of the lack of 5v5 production.

But looking at it after he was selected, I'm totally happy with it. For one, he played in multiple leagues. People want to defend Liljegrens poor season and point to him playing on multiple teams, but with Mittelstadt he actually performed extremely well while playing on several different teams. I indeed did want Tippett but I think Mittelstadt can ease any concerns I had. It all comes down to trusting management. I 100% trust Botterill and his judgment, if he feels Mittelstadt has the highest ceiling available at 8 then I'm damn happy he was the pick.

Here's hoping he goes to Minnesota this upcoming year, totally crushes it on the ice while adding on some much needed muscle, and then goes pro next summer. Give him a full season in Rochester in 18-19 and then in 19-20 start him on the third line. Seeing as he was a 98 birthdate, even if he only plays one year in college and then goes pro to Rochester, he still will be turning 20 a month into the season so he won't be overmatched and over his head if he's in the AHL in 18-19.

Are forward corps for when we are going to contend for cups is nearly complete. We got the superstar center, the elite two way 1C, the versatile top 6 C/RW, a highly skilled winger in Nylander and then Mittelstadt who can fit on the wing or down the middle. And who knows, a year from now if we are still lacking that top pairing dman and he tears it up at Minnesota, maybe the Wild would be interested in a Mittelstadt for Brodin swap.

 

[Sabre the Win]

I didn't realize the kids is 5'11 and 200ibs already, this kid with upper body strength is gonna be a bull on skates, think max domi.

Our take on Mittelstadt at Future Considerations. Spoiler alert -- we're fans:

A smart, quick and highly skilled center…has a tremendous first-step jump, change of pace and ability to make defenders miss…though not the biggest or strongest player on the ice, he finds success in loose puck battles by using his smarts and insane ability to shield the puck from defenders…never takes a shift off, and has added noticeable muscle and speed this season…will finish chances with a quick release on a wrister or powerful snap shot…puckhandling skills are excellent and he is able to create scoring chances in almost all of his offensive-zone shifts using his great vision and understanding of the game…aware of his defensive responsibility and backchecks hard to cover…sets up scoring chances using accurate, hard passes…always in the action and loves being the go-to guy…can beat defenders or gain the zone by utilizing this hands, feet or brain…a potential future top-line, two-way guy. (November 2016)

https://futureconsiderations.ca/player/Casey-Mittelstadt/

Sounds good to me, can't wait to see what he does in the NCAA next year.

 

[ZZamboni]

Nice pick. I will expect to see him on the big club (if he doesn't get traded) in the 19-20 season. Any sooner is bonus. He needs to marinate and develop. Nice job JB.

 

[Shootica]

Lot of misconceptions here.

-First off, he is not weak, or small. He is quite strong on his skates.

-He is not lazy but a rink rat. Very skilled hands...think Patrick Kane.

-He is above average in speed, but not blazing fast . Will get faster once with the Gophers.

- Has the ability to control the puck in small areas.

- If he has a weakness it is a totally understandable one. His job has been to drive the offense, not be a two way grinder. There can be an element of "floater" to his game...remind you of anyone(hint, i mentioned him already)?

-while it's true that MN HS isn't the strongest league, he does play in the strongest conference, against good, well coached teams.

- has a really good wrister with a quick release.

- excllent, quick passer.

- I found it humorous that on the draft TV broadcast they rated Offense as his weakest attribute. Wha?

Anyway, I'm not saying he is next Patrick Kane, but there are stylistic similarities, and he is significantly bigger than Kane. I'm a bit puzzled as to why BUF picked him, except that perhaps he has the potential to be a homerun pick for them. Surely they don't plan to convert him into a bottom 6 two way C? That is not what he is about.

Surely BUF didn't need another Center, and could've picked a Dman at #8?

Anyway, good luck with CM. No pick is a sure thing, but he certainly has the potential to be special. I just question whether or not he will get any playing time with the logjam he has ahead of him at C, and I don't get picking a C and converting him to wing. I don't see him as a good nose to the glass, forechecking winger that will battle it out around the crease. He is about skill.

Thanks for the input! As you mentioned, he'll have a hard time cracking into our center spine so a transition to the wing may become inevitable. He's not going to be that hard nosed power winger, but do you think he could excel in a scoring, playmaking wing role alongside Eichel a la playoff Jake Guentzel in the playoffs?

And just for kicks, would you consider moving Brodin if he was the main return?

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

The problem with this pick and BPA is we have no d studs and major deals involving prospects rarely happen. This is why I hate it. If we'd picked a D at #8 last year, this wouldn't be a problem.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Wasn't overly blown away by the pick but it should be alright so long as we see him sign and keep workouts going and condition through college. Though I really hope that the Sabres brass focuses on defensemen now.

 

[aceface33]

Thanks for the input! As you mentioned, he'll have a hard time cracking into our center spine so a transition to the wing may become inevitable. He's not going to be that hard nosed power winger, but do you think he could excel in a scoring, playmaking wing role alongside Eichel a la playoff Jake Guentzel in the playoffs?

Seems weird to speculate his spot on the NHL team when he looks to be 2 years away.

The problem with this pick and BPA is we have no d studs and major deals involving prospects rarely happen. This is why I hate it. If we'd picked a D at #8 last year, this wouldn't be a problem.

In Botts' mind, the D-men available would not have been studs. Or at least not good enough to let the offensive talent of Mitts go by the wayside.

 

[Shootica]

Seems weird to speculate his spot on the NHL team when he looks to be 2 years away.

I don't think it's crazy to say Eichel, RoR, and Reinhart will still be around in 2 years.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Seems weird to speculate his spot on the NHL team when he looks to be 2 years away.

Isn't that exactly the point of speculation? You don't speculate about things that you already know.

My speculation, spent the 8th on a winger. Nailed my worst case scenario but served it up with some center potential frosting.

 

[Sabre the Win]

The problem with this pick and BPA is we have no d studs and major deals involving prospects rarely happen. This is why I hate it. If we'd picked a D at #8 last year, this wouldn't be a problem.

I believe Guhle is a stud on D and there are a few more in our pipeline showing potential.

 

[darcyRegier]

2-3 years from now...

PP1

Middlestadt/Okposo - O'Rielly - Nylander

Eichel - Antipin/Ristolainen

PP2

Reinhart - Asplund/Larsson - Bailey/Baptiste/Middlesdtat/Okposo/Pu
Guhle - Antipin/Ristolainen

Wow...

That's just with what we have in the organization currently. No UFA's + no trades. Left Kane out because there's not a good chance he's here in 2 years.

Best 1st + 2nd powerplay units in the NHL nowhere is close. Middlestadt has the ceiling of a "top line center". http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/04/02/casey-mittelstadt-scouting-report-2017-nhl-draft-5/

 

[Moncton man]

I know people wish the Sabres had drafted a D in the first round, but haven't there been pages and pages spilled about trading Kane because of contract expectations? No he probably doesn't get a #1 and might need something added to get a #2. But with the possibility of adding D through that trade (if it happens) plus the additions they've made already, and with potential trading partner in Vegas who went with a lot of 'D' I think the fears are overblown that the Sabres didn't draft one here. From what I've read through the quotes and links in this thread it seems like a good shot to take Mittelstadt with this pick.

Oh and if memory serves me (not that the comparison is bang on, just the fact that he was described similarly), didn't Mike Bossy fall in the draft because he was thought of as a perimeter player and not tough enough on the inside? Or are people worried Mittelstadt is going to be too much like Ennis but haven't connected that comparison yet?

 

[Montag DP]

I was also surprised we took another forward in the first round, but if JB believes he was BPA by a large margin, I'm fine with it. D are really hard to project at draft time anyway unless they are of elite caliber, and I guess there were none like that available at 8. We definitely need to stock up in the next rounds, though.

 

[SundherDome]

Love this kid, he is a stud. Glad he fell to us.

 

[HaNotsri]

Can't tell if he was the right pick or not - but he looks like an exciting player. One thing that worries me is how his body will react to the training. I've seen a lot of swedish players become worse skaters due to training regimes that doesn't fit them/too much focus on upper body strength.

 

[FoSotC]

Comments of this tweet currently filled with jaded Sabres fans telling him he's not going to sign with us.

 

[SatanwasaSlovak]

I think this is an indication that Reinhart might be dealt.

 

[DolanPlsGoSabres]

I think this is an indication that Reinhart might be dealt.

Hard to say because he won't be NHL ready this year, plus it's definitely possible that Mittelstadt ends up as LW.

 

[Cirris]

Comments of this tweet currently filled with jaded Sabres fans telling him he's not going to sign with us.

Good god, Some of these Buffalo fans can be ultra pissy.

But,.. These last 2 years where he have college UFAs almost literally telling Sabres to take a hike can be damn depressing.

Murray really should have never done that Vesey deal. I think that was his first true taste of the "Buffalo" market rejection.

It just doesn't look good to have this happen again. So yeah, I understand Sabres fans wanting to avoid college committed prospects for awhile.

Still, don't give the kid crap for it because Botteril picked him.

Buffalo also had a couple College UFAs choose this organization when they could have went elsewhere.

 

[Ace]

I understand feeling burned by the college guys after the last two years. But if you think the 8th overall pick is going to spend 4 years in college you are out of your mind. It's a bad look for supposedly tuned in fans.

 

[MayDay]

I understand feeling burned by the college guys after the last two years. But if you think the 8th overall pick is going to spend 4 years in college you are out of your mind. It's a bad look for supposedly tuned in fans.

Yeah, like I said in the Petersen thread, I'm fine with picking college-bound guys high in the first round because that caliber of prospect is not going to wait 4 years before turning pro. There's too much money and success to be had to by signing earlier.

I will be annoyed, however, if we pick college guys today.