Casey Mittelstadt on the Move? | Viewer Questions

Casey Mittelstadt on the Move? | Viewer Questions

Today we’re going to do a deep dive in one of the more intriguing trade rumors right now surrounding the Boston Bruins. Could Casey Middlestat already be on the move from the Boston Bruins? Are they actually thinking about it? After coming over in a deal with Colorado, he hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for the former eighth overall pick. I’m going to break down what insiders are saying, where he might go, what he’s worth, why he struggled to find consistency since being drafted by Buffalo, whether Boston could unlock his potential, and how the arrival of blue chip prospect James Hagens could be the final push that forces the Bruins to trade him at the deadline. So, buckle up, Bruins fans. I’m here to give you the latest info on your beloved Boston Bruins. If you’ve been liking my Bruins content, please leave me a like and subscribe. If you’ve already done so, thank you and let’s get into it. Ever since the Boston Bruins landed Casey Middlestead at the trade deadline from Colorado for Charlie Coyle, the whisper started almost immediately. According to multiple league insiders, including RG Media’s reporting from earlier this summer, there had been speculation that the Bruins were more interested in draft picks and the prospect Will Zeers that came over the deal than Middlestat. I’ve said it many times on this channel. Even at the time when they made the trade, I honestly thought Middlestat was a throwin here. Yes, he’s projected to be the second line center for the Boston Bruins next year, but I have a funny feeling if they can get something for him, they’re going to move him. According to RG Media, one anonymous league executive told them he’d been hearing his name pop up in trade talks since before the Bruins season even ended. According to Puckedia, Middlestat has a no trade protection in his contract, meaning the Bruins could move him at any time. My guess would be that teams might want to wait and see if they can find his offensive game again before pulling the trigger. Essentially betting that an early season hot streak could boost his trade value significantly. He’s had hot and cold streaks throughout his career. And that was what Colorado was betting on when they brought him in because they hadn’t had that center depth since the loss of Nasam Cadri. And Middlestat just didn’t work out in Colorado. The issue is where could he even go? While there’s no confirmed suitor at this point, Frank Saravelli over at Daily Face Off had Middle ranked as a high number five on his trade target board. That was back when he was still with Colorado. But Saraveli mentioned Boston as a logical fit for his skill set. Ironically, that logic can apply to several NHL clubs across the league that are still looking for help down the middle. Unfortunately, one of the teams is the Montreal Canadians. But I I have a hard time seeing Boston, if he starts playing well, trade him to Montreal because that’s who Boston’s probably going to be fighting for a playoff spot this year. If Boston does decide to shop him, look for potential landing spots like Seattle Kraken who need a creative center to spark their middle sex scoring or the Calgary Flames who have been looking to add costc controlled forwards in their age prime. The challenge for most teams that want to trade for Middlestat, he’s got $7.5 million AAV for the next two seasons. A number that might require salary retention or a contract swap to make it work. The only thing that’s playing into the Bruins favor though is the salary cap is going up for the next couple seasons. So later in the year, if it’s at the trade deadline, he might be a little bit more attractive, especially if a team thinks maybe he can just be their number three center, not their number two. Middlestat’s value is a tricky thing to pin down. On paper, you see flashes of the player scouts thought they were getting when Buffalo drafted him eighth overall in 2017. In 2022 23, he posted a career-high 59 points in 82 games, leading the Sabres in scoring. The next year, he was nearly a point per game pace before the trade deadline. But then came his sting Colorado, where he never quite found his footing. Colorado hockey now detailed how Middlead started hot, 13 points in his first 10 games, but then cooled off drastically. By the end of his time there, he was bouncing between the third and fourth line. That drop in production has left teams wondering which version of middle stat they be getting in a trade. The creative playmaker with top six upside or the inconsistent forward who can disappear for weeks at a time. Right now his trade value doesn’t look that great. He’s looking more like a B-level prospect or a mid-round draft pick unless he starts the season red-hot and pushes that asking price higher. Middlestat’s journey through the NHL has been anything but linear. After leaving the University of Minnesota early to sign with the Sabres, he put up just 25 points in his first full season and was eventually sent down to AHL for seasoning just to get better. My guess is they also sent him down to hone his defensive skills. A lot of times when players first come up to the NHL, if they can’t play that two-way game, they’re almost kind of useless unless they’re just exploding with offensive power. Injuries, changing linemates, and fluctuating ice time all contributed to his uneven development. Buffalo also has a history of not developing their players very well and they usually when they leave end up being better. Middlestat just hasn’t found that jump yet. When paired with strong playmakers in Buffalo, guys like Alex Tuck and Jeff Skinner, he was able to produce. But when thrown into more defensive roles or when his confidence wavered, his points just dried up. The Boomer bus pattern followed him to Colorado and now in Boston where the Bruins are still figuring out the best way to deploy him. Right now, they have him penciled in as the number two seed for next year. But we all know that possibly they might have drafted that guy. The Bruins have a history of turning around careers for players who needed a fresh start just as Taylor Hall or Pavle Zaka. When you look at Middle Star’s numbers, initially they’re kind of underwhelming. Just four goals and six points in 18 games with a brutal minus 17 rating. There’s still belief that he could find his stride with the right role and linemates. If Powell Zaka or Elias Lenholm struggle early, there’s a chance Middle Stack gets elevated to a more offensive focused role potentially with David Pastnak on his wing. And that kind of opportunity could exactly be what he needs to reignite his career. But I don’t know why the Boston Bruins would even do that. Especially that’s you’re now already looking at two guys that are ahead of him on the depth chart to not being playing well. And right now I think Zach is going to be playing on the wing. Now there’s also a little wrinkle that could change everything and that’s James Hagens. the Bruins top prospect and one of the most highly touted American forwards in years in the Bruins organization. Hagens was a point per game player last year and is looking to be a leader next year at BC. If he signs with Boston at the end of the college season, he could jump right into the NHL. And where would he have to play? Probably number 2C. While the Bruins management wouldn’t want to rush him into a topline role, his arrival could still add another talented center to the depth chart. that could make Middlestat expendable, especially if Hagens impresses quickly. In a salary cap world, it’s not hard to see a scenario where the Boston Bruins decide to trade Casey Middlestat at the trade deadline rather than risk losing him for less down the line, especially if he’s been playing well or he has more potential. If they don’t see him being up in the lineup above Hagens or at least Lionus Lynholm, you really got to look to move the guy. In other words, Hagens could be the silent factor in Middlestat’s future. a young costc controlled center arriving at exactly the wrong time for a veteran trying to prove himself. So where does this leave us? Casey Middlestat’s time in Boston could go one or two ways. If he starts the season strong, the Bruins might keep him for a playoff run. That’s if they’re in a playoff run. I I want to be I I want to say it to be optimistic, but part of me thinks I just don’t see it this year. Or flip him for a bigger return at the deadline. If he struggles, he could be shipped out sooner, especially if James Hagens signs at the end of the year and makes an immediate impact. If Hagens tears it up at BC, he is being signed by the Bruins, and they’re going to probably throw him in their top six at the end of the year. The story of Casey Middlestat is one of raw talent, moments of brilliance, and frustrating inconsistencies. The next few months will determine whether Middlestat finally finds a home in Boston or becomes yet another talented player on the NHL trade carousel. That’s my full breakdown of the Casey Middlestat situation. Do you think Boston Bruins should keep him, give him a real shot, or trade him before James Higgins even arrives? Drop your thoughts and comments down below. As I mentioned before in another video, I wanted to try something different at the end of the video, and that was answering a viewer’s question. JCCMZ asks, “Many have commented that the Bruins had a terrible training camp under Montgomery last season. How do you make that determination during camp, during the preseason games, during the season? All I noticed is that they looked like crap during the preseason games, but I thought they were allowing new players and new line combos to find chemistry. Even at the beginning of the season, it looked like Montgomery was just non-stop shuffling the lines and messing with everyone’s need for some playing time and stability. Honestly, I I think this is a great question and I I want to shoot from the hip as I answer it. Um, I did like it. I saw it, but I didn’t really do any research into it. So, here’s my thoughts right off the bat. The Boston Bruins season last year was derailed right in the summer. the swaming contract negotiations with upper management went absolutely disastrous and then your starting goalie misses training camp and has to pretty much start and I know a lot of players say they don’t need training camp. I think goalies need it more than anybody else. I honestly wouldn’t blame Montgomery, but it almost seems like Montgomery as he left for St. Louis, it was like he almost planned it. I I I don’t want a conspiracy theory thing here and and say Montgomery was purposely trying to get himself fired, but man, it kind of seems that way at some point, but I I just don’t see someone actually doing that because that would tarnish their reputation and I I just don’t see Jim Montgomery doing that. The players really liked him. It’s just unfortunate that they came out of the gate absolutely terrible. I think some of the issues the Bruins had in training camp right away was injuries. The Swayman situation was ridiculous. And yes, Swayman had a lot of responsibility to play here, but Cam Neely and the Bruins management didn’t help themselves. And as much as people don’t realize it or try and think it’s something else and want to blame the player, I can tell you the players in the room, they band together. They’re all friends. And they’re not going to go against Swayman and call him the issue because they all want to see the player get their bank. They a guy like him getting his money means they’re going to get their money the next time they go up for it. So, I don’t know. The whole thing about players hating other players that that that is not what I’ve heard about the Boston Bruins in that dressing room. It’s just to me, I’ve been told that that’s totally not true. I would think, and this is just me spitballing here, that the players might have a little bit of resentment towards the head office. And I don’t think Brad Marshan being traded at the end of the season helped that. Maybe they had a talk with the guys after the offseason, but you know, it’s looked like Brad Marshian isn’t bitter about being moved because, you know, he won a Stanley Cup, but it looks like he was a little annoyed he didn’t get what he wanted. He always was considered to be taking team friendly deals all the time. And when he finally wanted to get paid at the end of his career, they were it was supposedly they were so close, it was just on the years. But I still think the Bruins made the right decision by trading Brad Marshian. I know that is a a take that a lot of people don’t agree with, but given the way the Bruins looked all season and the direction they needed to move in, Brad Marshan needs to be playing on a competitive team that is going to be fighting for Stanley Cup. And I just don’t think the Bruins are there right now. Pasta is a little he’s not in his pasta’s in his prime. He’s not exactly young, but he’s got a lot more years. Brad Marshan, his best years are probably behind him. Look at Florida had him on the third line. He was extremely effective. He was single-handedly one of the best players against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but I’m just saying it also helped where he was playing on that team and who he was playing with. Um, I love Brad Marshian. His number will be hung in the rafters. He’s a first ballot hall of famer. I just think it was actually smart. A lot of teams hold on to tight players like this. But to go back to the preseason here, I think the Elias Lynholm injury earlier on screwed with a lot of chemistry when they were trying to find chemistry with David Pastnac specifically. And you notice at the end of the season, Lynholm and him, that is something to look forward to this year. But yes, I’m actually confused how the players don’t want preseason. I even spoke to my dad about this and he thinks that the players need it. Not necessarily for getting in shape because the players should be in shape, but more like systems, especially this season. They’ve got a new head coach in Marco Sturm. These players better come correct. These players better come ready is is really what I should have been saying, not correct. I I don’t know why that came out of my mouth. But anyways, these players need to come ready to learn new systems and show the coach on who they are because that’s going to judge what ice time they get. I think last season there was a lot of players that we all thought were going to get ice time like those young guys and we saw that Montgomery wasn’t really giving them those roles. They weren’t playing with the veterans. So, how are you going to see if they have chemistry? A lot of their veteran guys were either injured or coming back from an injury. So, they didn’t really play a lot in the preseason. And I think that had a lot to do with the Bruins struggles. You had Nikita Zadorov coming out of the gate thinking he needed to be the toughest player on the ice when that made him ineffective at some points. So a lot of the Bruins issues last season, I guess, have a lot to do with injuries, have a lot to do with the off season, which was just full of way too much darn drama. And I think Montgomery not knowing how to handle that properly. I I think Montgomery was a good coach um in his first year. I think a lot had to do with he was just opening the door. Last year was the probably the one year where he had to really really coach and I truly truly believe his heart wasn’t in it. But I wouldn’t blame training camp all on Jim Montgomery. I think there was a lot to blame to throw around the players, the management, and the coaching staff. My hope is this year we get something different. My hope is the players come out the gate wanting to be there learning the systems, fighting positions, and the Bruins who continue to say they’re going to give the kids a chance actually give the kids a chance. I want to hear from you though. What did you think of this question and what would your answer be? Drop your questions down below. That’s a wrap on today’s video. To stay up to date on all the news surrounding the Boston Bruins, please subscribe and drop me a like. If news breaks surrounding the Boston Bruins, be sure to check out the channel. If you’ve already subscribed to the channel, thank you and I’ll see you next time.

Could the Boston Bruins be looking to trade Casey Mittelstadt? I wanted to do a deep dive into what that might look like, what his value is, and who might be interested in the latest episode of Bruins Diehards.

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Source

https://rg.org/news/hockey/trade-chatter-casey-mittelstadt-resurfacing

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Time Stamp

Intro 00:00
Mittelstadt 00:47
Question 7:43
Outro 13:21

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