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

[Husko]

The comparison that keeps coming to my mind is a lesser Marner.

 

[Der Jaeger]

The comparison that keeps coming to my mind is a lesser Marner.

I don't see it.

 

[Husko]

I think Pitt won their first Crosby cup with like 9 Centers.

The last time we were good we had Drury, Briere, Roy, Connollly, Gaustad, Mair, and Hecht all as regular center options. Kotalik also had center experience, I believe.

 

[hizzoner]

Mittelstadt will have some skills Marner does not have but Marner has superior mobility.

 

[dasaybz]

Remember 2008-2012? When we just just enough centers? That became too few, and eventually none.

Centers can become wingers. Eichel, Reinhart, Larsson, and ROR can be the listed four. Having Girgensons and ERod, and eventually Mittelstadt, Asplund, Pu, and Davidsson is an advantage. If one of the listed 4 centers gets hurt, the shift is easy. It helps PKing having more players with center experience. And you upgrade the overall team defense with centers playing wing.

No such thing as too many centers.

I like having a ton of centers, but at what point does it become an issue of not having any natural wingers? Why is it that centers can slide to wing seemingly with no issues at all, but wingers can't slide over to center? At some point, doesn't it become an issue of too many guys playing out of their natural position? Just a thought ...

 

[Icicle]

I like having a ton of centers, but at what point does it become an issue of not having any natural wingers? Why is it that centers can slide to wing seemingly with no issues at all, but wingers can't slide over to center? At some point, doesn't it become an issue of too many guys playing out of their natural position? Just a thought ...

When you cement who your centers are you can make trades for an expendable center for a higher quality, one-position winger. Having too many centers is a good thing.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I like having a ton of centers, but at what point does it become an issue of not having any natural wingers? Why is it that centers can slide to wing seemingly with no issues at all, but wingers can't slide over to center? At some point, doesn't it become an issue of too many guys playing out of their natural position? Just a thought ...

A team does need some natural wingers. The Sabres have Okposo, Kane, Foligno, etc. who fill that role.

Another question may be why do you need a lot of natural wingers? Many centers can make the transition to wing and be just as good. Eichel and Mittelstadt can be high end wingers. Girgensons has played wing well. Asplund, Pu, and Davidsson can all either play wing or have the chops to do it. Probably as well as any winger prospect on the team.

Few centers have issues shifting over. Larsson is an example.

Aside from the 2-3 natural wingers who bring some sort of high end skill they've developed in the position for years, I think a team can field center/winger hybrids at wing and do just fine.

 

[MayDayMayDay]

I see a heavier Patrick Kane. I'm also excited at the "big-game" praise that he's gotten. He seems like the kind of guy who'll turn it on when the lights are brightest.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

I see a heavier Patrick Kane. I'm also excited at the "big-game" praise that he's gotten. He seems like the kind of guy who'll turn it on when the lights are brightest.

This is pretty sweet.

 

[dasaybz]

A team does need some natural wingers. The Sabres have Okposo, Kane, Foligno, etc. who fill that role.

Another question may be why do you need a lot of natural wingers? Many centers can make the transition to wing and be just as good. Eichel and Mittelstadt can be high end wingers. Girgensons has played wing well. Asplund, Pu, and Davidsson can all either play wing or have the chops to do it. Probably as well as any winger prospect on the team.

Few centers have issues shifting over. Larsson is an example.

Aside from the 2-3 natural wingers who bring some sort of high end skill they've developed in the position for years, I think a team can field center/winger hybrids at wing and do just fine.

Why is it just universally accepted that centers can shift over to wing seamlessly? From what I've seen so far, Girgensons and Reinhart are much much more effective centers. I think at some point there is going to be some guys that just can't do it.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Why is it just universally accepted that centers can shift over to wing seamlessly? From what I've seen so far, Girgensons and Reinhart are much much more effective centers. I think at some point there is going to be some guys that just can't do it.

It's not. But having centers who shifted to wing successfully is a huge advantage.

 

[sincerity0]

Why is it just universally accepted that centers can shift over to wing seamlessly? From what I've seen so far, Girgensons and Reinhart are much much more effective centers. I think at some point there is going to be some guys that just can't do it.

Generally your wingers are doing more stuff along the boards whereas centers are working more along the middle of the ice (duh). That's why we assume Reinhart would be much more effective at C than wing. He can use the center of the ice to distribute pucks using his sense and passing abilities.

Centers like Eichel and ROR can play wing because of their skating and board working ability.

I generally think Cs can better make the transfer to wing than vice Versa due hockey sense, skating, and defensive play. IMO Cs have more defensive responsibilities which requires better abilities mentioned above.

If someone more versed in the Xs and Os feel inclined to intervene.

 

[dasaybz]

Generally your wingers are doing more stuff along the boards whereas centers are working more along the middle of the ice (duh). That's why we assume Reinhart would be much more effective at C than wing. He can use the center of the ice to distribute pucks using his sense and passing abilities.

Centers like Eichel and ROR can play wing because of their skating and board working ability.

I generally think Cs can better make the transfer to wing than vice Versa due hockey sense, skating, and defensive play. IMO Cs have more defensive responsibilities which requires better abilities mentioned above.

If someone more versed in the Xs and Os feel inclined to intervene.

I understand all that, but at some point, you have to draft a natural winger, no? I think the assumption that a center can just shift to wing is a little overstated. Some guys just can't do it.

 

[truthbluth]

This is pretty sweet.

Is that recent Bruins first round pick, Urho Vaakinainen getting undressed there?

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Is that recent Bruins first round pick, Urho Vaakinainen getting undressed there?

Yep.

 

[OkimLom]

The comparison that keeps coming to my mind is a lesser Marner.

I see a better comparison to Johnny Hockey IMO

 

[Onslow]

I see a better comparison to Johnny Hockey IMO

Me too. Albeit bigger and stronger

 

[OkimLom]

Me too. Albeit bigger and stronger

How can he be stronger when he can't do a pull up

 

[Sabre the Win]

I understand all that, but at some point, you have to draft a natural winger, no? I think the assumption that a center can just shift to wing is a little overstated. Some guys just can't do it.

It says hes a LW/C on multiple prospect reporting sites and he said he can play the wing... I don't see why you cant understand this?

 

[keppel146]

I think some Buffalo fans are overreacting.

 

[SoFFacet]

I understand all that, but at some point, you have to draft a natural winger, no? I think the assumption that a center can just shift to wing is a little overstated. Some guys just can't do it.

My understanding is that basically anyone that can play center at young levels, does. It's just the best place to put your best players, the same reason that the best athlete on your HS football team is probably playing RB or QB instead of WR. Players already playing wing in junior most likely have some kind of physical limitation or attitude problem that precludes them from playing center. Or sometimes they are simply just not as good as their teammates. Hence why top prospects are disproportionately labeled as C or C/W.

 

[OkimLom]

I think some Buffalo fans are overreacting.

Can you dive deeper into that a little more? what are we overreacting to?

 

[Icicle]

He scored the same PPG in the USHL as Girgensons, Tuch, and Guentzel at 1.25

Eichel was 1.88. Matthews was 2.00. He was the highest last year in PPG, but there's no shortage in no-name players in year's prior who exceed 1.25 at 20+ games

Just have to put it into perspective

 

[keppel146]

Can you dive deeper into that a little more? what are we overreacting to?

A few fans on here very dissapointed etc. about the pick. Also highly unlikely that he goes awol and signs as a UFA. He is a really good hockey player.

 

[couture23]

A few fans on here very dissapointed etc. about the pick. Also highly unlikely that he goes awol and signs as a UFA. He is a really good hockey player.

Our fanbase is silly. One 5th round pick chooses not to sign with the team so they think that every NCAA player will follow suit.