Value of: Mittlestadt (summer)

[gearharb]

Sabres look to be on the verge of turning the corner and next year should be their target for finally making it back to relevancy. With Kulich, Savoie, and Rosen all looking to possibly make the jump to the Sabres roster next year.

Could the Sabres use Middlestadt as a way to shore up their 3-4 defenseman spot? Middlestadt is signed for one more season at $2.5M and will then hit RFA. He's set a career high in points so far this season (49pts, playing on the third line) and could help a team looking to add some speed and playmaking to their top 9.

Sabres are looking for a solid 3-4 defensemen in the 22-28age range.

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[Kent Nilsson]

Middlestadt

 

[Draiskull]

Middlestadt sounds like a city center or downtown... middle of stadt

 

[Grinner]

Mario Ferraro?

 

[Zman5778]

There's a reason most Sabres fans shorten his name to Mitts.

Anyhew, I think Mittlestadt has more value to the Sabres as a burgeoning 3rd line center/winger than he would in a trade. His board play has been sublime this year and he's the hardest backchecker on the team. If he (like a lot of the forwards) ever learn how to effectively play in his own zone, he's going to be one of those 3rd line players that contending teams covet.

To get the type of defenseman that many/most Sabres fans want.......it's going to take more than Mitts.

 

[TGWL]

Nobody is giving up a #3, closer to lower age bracket you have. Certainly not for a top 9. I'm sure you can package him for a player on the later end of that bracket if you're looking to beef up your blueline.

 

[Unbiased Fan]

Mitts for Demelo

 

[Chainshot]

Mitts for Demelo

Isn't Demelo's one year from UFA?

 

[Dirty Dog]

He’s turned into a really strong player for the Sabres. He’s feisty, high motor, good forecheck and backcheck, engages in board battles. He has a decent shot but doesn’t use it at all so he’s strictly a playmaker.

Just a solid glue guy that is more valuable to his own team than anyone else. Basically a 50-60 point bottom six’r that does everything pretty well. I don’t think he’s going to become anything more than that

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Middleton+ for Mittelstadt?

 

[banks]

A 1 for 1 hockey trade is one of the hardest kinds of trade to make in the NHL right now.

 

[toddkaz]

Sabres look to be on the verge of turning the corner and next year should be their target for finally making it back to relevancy. With Kulich, Savoie, and Rosen all looking to possibly make the jump to the Sabres roster next year.

Could the Sabres use Middlestadt as a way to shore up their 3-4 defenseman spot? Middlestadt is signed for one more season at $2.5M and will then hit RFA. He's set a career high in points so far this season (49pts, playing on the third line) and could help a team looking to add some speed and playmaking to their top 9.

Sabres are looking for a solid 3-4 defensemen in the 22-28age range.

No one will push Mitts out of the lineup next year. Spots are opening up with Olofsson on the way out and Okposo going to retire(We hope since his skating is pretty much gone) Rosen is definitely not NHL ready and its a wait and see if Kulich and Savioe can make the jump next year.

Mitts is probably better served as a 3rd line forward on the sabres with perhaps another level to his game then trying to trade him at a low value.

Mitts is just starting to put it together as a playmaker. If he can work on shooting we might have something here.

 

[Unbiased Fan]

Isn't Demelo's one year from UFA?

No clue honestly if so then Mitts is worth more. I think Demelo would fit well with Power and Mitts would be a good fit in Winnipeg. I still think as a leafs fan he has 1st line potential

 

[HaNotsri]

We need 50 point players on our third line. Mitts still has upside and we won't get anyone more useful in return.

Trade Olofsson for a pick. Package picks and prospects for a defenseman.

 

[Sebastien]

Middleton+ for Mittelstadt?

He's a 3rd line winger. He's not getting Middleton. He doesn't play C

 

[PensandCaps]

More valuable to the Sabres than anywhere else. Can't think a pass first winger who only recently started producing is worth much. Better to keep him and hope he builds on his second half next year.

 

[Diaspora]

He's a 3rd line winger. He's not getting Middleton. He doesn't play C

With Tage out, he spent the last week between Tuch and Skinner and had six assists in three games.

 

[Djp]

More valuable to the Sabres than anywhere else. Can't think a pass first winger who only recently started producing is worth much. Better to keep him and hope he builds on his second half next year.

Except he has been…

they switched coaches to Granota he came out and had decent numbers.
last year he was plagued by injuries.
this year he’s had a decent year playing on 3rd line and 2nd PP unit.

 

[57special]

Middlestadt, Granota....what's going on around here?

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Middlestadt

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

I don't think Rosen is ready next year. MITTELSTADT.

 

[Digable5]

Middlestadt, Granota....what's going on around here?

What’s wrong with Granota? He’s great with some fruit or a little chocolate; maybe some honey and nuts. Haha.

Mitteldtadt is a middle 6 forward with winger/center flexibility and playmaking skill to fill in on the top line if needed. Love to keep him for some affordable depth, but something has to give with Buffalo’s forward depth and lack of defense and goaltending depth.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

He's a 3rd line winger. He's not getting Middleton. He doesn't play C

Neither did Hartman.

Either way, Middleton isn't special, and if I could use him to gamble on Mittelstadt, I would.

 

[Faceboner]

Mitts is a valuable player now who is still young and can improve a little bit more, perfect top 9 forward whose playmaking, board play and overall 200 ft game has improved mitts-krebs- xxx is a decent 3rd line fore next year get a middle six forward who also is capable of solid two way play and a scoring touch would make that a great 3rd line

 

[BobClarkesfrontteeth]

Sabres should keep him. See if he continues to grow as a 3rd line player. Go the UFA route instead considering 3 out of your top 4 is already set long term.
Look at guys like Holl who should be pretty cheap on AAV who can start as a 4th Dman and eventually slide down to a bottom pairing guy.
Solid defensive player that is very good on the PK regardless of how hard HF trolls him.