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

[paulmm3]

I like this pick. BPA

 

[Ace]

Great so we got the kid who played well against high schoolers, had pretty lame production in the USHL, even while shooting 21%....

 

[Chainshot]

McKeen's:

In the running with Nico Hischier for the title of most dynamic offensive
player in the 2017 draft class. His skating abilities are best viewed
through his love for playing East-West hockey as he is a very shifty
skater with plus edge work. Traffic is more a challenge to be overcome
than an impediment to his game. His ability to escape jams is a point in
his favor and something that makes him a treat to watch when things
are going well.

While some evaluators were worried with his decision to return
home and compete for Eden Prairie High School, with the stated aim
(unfulfilled) of leading the school to the state championship, his play
at higher levels this year and last were convincing enough. As the level
of play in the USHL has been rising greatly over the past few years, the
collective abilities of those still playing their games at the high school
level, even in hockey-mad states such as Minnesota, has dwindled.
Mittlestadt was a man among children for Eden Prairie, averaging over
2.5 points per game. Putting that in perspective, 64 points was only
good for a tie for 10th place among fellow Minnesota high schoolers. If
all we had to go on for Mittelstadt was his high school production, he
would not likely be considered for a lottery pick. Thankfully, we have
more.

His high end puck skills were on display in both his early season and year
ending stints with Green Bay in the USHL, where he contributed more
than a point-per-game. He was also stellar (nine points in seven games)
at the WU18 tournament last year, proving that his puck work and above
average shot can play up against better competition.
Stocky and strong, he does not play a very physical game outside
of using that bulk to help him maintain the puck when challenged.
Expected to play for the University of Minnesota next year, Mittelstadt
will be forced to improve his ability to play with his teammates. He
should be on a similar path to the NHL as Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor, who
put up comparable numbers in his draft year in the USHL. Mittelstadt
will be an impact scorer at the NHL level, likely by 2020-21.

 

[Der Jaeger]

When he's finally on the team, he needs to be on Eichel's RW. Not a super big fan, but I'm down with being patient.

 

[Jame]

Baker had him #3. Wow.

Baker knows who they like

 

[billsandsabres]

Great so we got the kid who played well against high schoolers, had pretty lame production in the USHL, even while shooting 21%....

1.25 ppg is pretty lame?

 

[jc17]

CM

• 1.25 points/gm.
• .46 even strength points per game

Tippet:

• 1.27
• .8 5v5

Valardi:

• 1.25
• .78 5v5

OHL>USHL

 

[AustonsNostrils]

Hahaha this is amazing

 

[jc17]

1.25 ppg is pretty lame?

In the USHL while shooting 20%? Yes.

He was on a bad team, but still...

 

[Chainshot]

FC had him at #5:

Mittelstadt is an all-situations, high-compete
center who constantly looks to create offensive
chances for his team. He is a huge driver in
possession and absolutely dominates in one-on-one
situations with finesse moves and a creative mind. He has
top tier awareness and vision, constantly getting himself
and the puck into scoring areas before a threat is detected
by the defense.

He has a physical edge and a tenacious approach with
his willingness to attack the net. Mittelstadt also has a
soft touch with the puck and can magically stickhandle
through traffic whether he is stationary or moving at full
speed. He has the strength to generate power and speed
from his first stride forward, accelerating quickly and soon
to an overwhelming pace. With great patience to wait out
opponents and goaltenders, Mittelstadt morphs from a
hardnosed power-forward into a soft touch finisher.
His shot is heavy and accurate but his release is absolutely
deadly. His shot has a very quick release and can generate
good power without much time or space. He is really
effective around the crease with quick reaction to create
shots off the pass. He won’t pass up the opportunity to
shoot the puck but also has a great, cerebral passing game.
He doesn’t hesitate to dig in the dirty areas of the ice. Aware
in his own end and always with his stick in a passing lane, he
is continuously closing off the oppositions' attack.

Mittelstadt is also a hard worker on the forecheck, using his
quick first step to pressure defenders. He has an active stick
that allows him to knock down pucks or close off lanes. He
has the tools to sneak up behind opponents, strip pucks
causing turnovers and carry a possession from goal line to
goal line, thanks to his high-end all-round skillset.
While he does play the game at a high tempo and pace, he
could improve his top speed, as he is more quick and darting
than fast. In his own end, Mittelstadt is sound positionally,
supporting the puck down low in the zone and picking
up the man in front of the net well. However, the technical
aspects of the center position, such as face-off technique
and backchecking positioning on transition plays, could use
improvement. Finally, he can get a little too individual in his
play, a negative effect of playing high school hockey with
lesser talented teammates no doubt. That will need to be
addressed and corrected when he plays at higher levels as
the competition will shut his individual rushes effectively.

SCOUT’S QUOTE: “Mittelstadt is skilled, quick and creative
but above all he is tenacious and a hard worker. Despite
his status as one of the more inexperienced USHL players
after returning from high school play with Eden Prairie, he
was dominant for long stretches and undoubtedly one of
the best forwards playing in the USHL this season. All in
all, Mittelstadt is a constant offensive threat who is able to
produce and capitalize on his own scoring chances. Kid has
the makings of a NHL star.”

NHL POTENTIAL: Top-6 Playmaking Center

 

[EichHart]

I like this pick. BPA

Same. Speed is key in todays NHL. We got our Mitch Marner.

 

[flashsabre]

Some people are stretching here to convince them self this isn't a good pick.

Super skilled speedy forward is the type of player they want for this system.

Vilardi's skating is a concern.

You don't take an inferior player at 8 just because he plays defence. Take a couple defenceman in the 2nd or trade for another dman.

 

[EichHart]

Baker had him ranked 3rd? Impressive. Rest of list:

Bob McKenzie: 6th
Corey Pronman: 12th
Ryan Kennedy THN: 6th
The Draft Analyst: 2nd
Hockey Prospect: 8th
Craig Button: 9th
Dobber Prospects: 4th
ISS Hockey: 7th
McKeen's Hockey: 5th
Future Considerations: 5th

Looks like consensus was 5-7 on average. So most likely he was BPA at that spot.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/2017-draft/2017-nhl-draft-rankings

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[jc17]

The one thing thats making me not hate the pick is that I think guys from the USHL and high school are harder to project, so I'm hoping he surprises us.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[jc17]

Yamamoto is going to be unreal in Edmonton's offense. We missed out.

 

[Ace]

The one thing thats making me not hate the pick is that I think guys from the USHL and high school are harder to project, so I'm hoping he surprises us.

...

He's projected to be really good...

 

[Ace]

Yamamoto is going to be unreal in Edmonton's offense. We missed out.

By getting the universally ranked far better player?

You're putting in a lot of work here

 

[Jame]

The one thing thats making me not hate the pick is that I think guys from the USHL and high school are harder to project, so I'm hoping he surprises us.

Doesn't that scare you?

 

[Dirty Dog]

In the USHL while shooting 20%? Yes.

He was on a bad team, but still...

Thank god a pro team's scouting department is more advanced than googling stats.


Seriously...

 

[Takeo]

Even the player and his family seemed surprised the Sabres took him. That says a lot. Big reach?

 

[OkimLom]

Much like the Nylander pick last draft, it's one of those selections where I'm not mad, because we picked a guy with a skillset we lack, and it's high end, but I wished we chose defense.

I do like this pick. I actually believe if he finds the weight room, and can find that motor in his game, he could be our Brad Marchand with not as much of a "ratiness" to his game. His hands are probably 2nd best in our organization right behind Nylander.

I like the idea of having Eichel and Reinhart having Nylander and Mittelstadt on their own lines.

 

[Ace]

Even the player and his family seemed surprised the Sabres took him. That says a lot. Big reach?

He was rated ahead of 8 in most every place possible.

 

[truthbluth]

I just can't get myself to a place where I like this pick. I ****ing hate it. I didn't think I could feel worse about the state of this team, but I was super wrong.