What do you expect from: #37 Casey Mittelstadt?

[dudacek]

Most of you are familiar with the "best prospect in hockey" edition Casey Mittelstadt, the 8th overall pick who blew up the World Junior Tournament with 11 points in 7 games and game-breaking, clutch plays.

You are also familiar with the "Ralph Krueger" version of Casey Mittelstadt, the one who put up 7 points in 40 games, bouncing in and out of the press box, between centre and wing, and from Buffalo to Rochester, and looking pretty much lost while doing it.

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=192483

Last year finished with a tantalizing glimpse of a 3rd Casey Mittelstadt, one that scored 9 goals and 17 points over the final 22 games, mostly in a top-6 centre role.

What do you expect from Mittelstadt this season?

 

Edited October 2, 2021 by dudacek

[Weave]

I like #2 here as well.  40ish pts and some solid evidence of his limitations this season. He’ll be asked to do more than he should because he’s what we’ve got.  At least he’s a little better prepared for it this time.

[bob_sauve28]

I don’t like thinking of him as a “number one line” player. See him more as one of several players in the line up that consistently puts up decent numbers in a scoring by committee sort of thing. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

I think there is a gap between optIons 1 & 2.  We can see a 50 pt season and a guy who is a top 6 center.  I think the 1st option implies he is an elite player and even I don’t see him as an elite player.  I see him as potentially a more flashy Reinhart.

[Wyldnwoody44]

At least 5 pull ups 

[thewookie1]

I think he shows he can be a top end 2C and put up 50 pts but will show he isn’t quite a 1C

[Pimlach]

I don’t see much difference between options 2 and 3.   If he scores 45 points he is 2, if 38 he is 3.  Either way we will see aspects if his game that still need work.  
 

Goals and points are going to be hard to acquire on this team, especially with the matchups he will see at 1C/2C.  I picked 3 because we are, once again, asking a bit too much of him.  If we had Eichel and Reinhart he would be ready to thrive at 3C.  

[Taro T]

Am expecting him to wind up in the 40's.

He's a #2 C that will get forced into being the 1 C.

Expect him to look like a legit top 6 guy but he won't be able to elevate his linemates in a significant way.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Option #1 ... 

[dudacek]

His development this year will be one of the the keys for the team moving forward.

Kid has talent. Just not sure if it's Derek Plante talent, or Derek Roy talent.

What I liked about the end of last season was that he was starting to look like the player he was in junior, in terms of how he attacked the game and he did it without a ton of support; he was the driver.

[pi2000]

Fortnite will surprise. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

4 hours ago, dudacek said:

His development this year will be one of the the keys for the team moving forward.

Kid has talent. Just not sure if it's Derek Plante talent, or Derek Roy talent.

What I liked about the end of last season was that he was starting to look like the player he was in junior, in terms of how he attacked the game and he did it without a ton of support; he was the driver.

Tim Connolly pre-concussion?

[dudacek]

16 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Tim Connolly pre-concussion?

That would be fantastic.

I wouldn't bet on it, but to my way of thinking it's still possible.

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

That would be fantastic.

I wouldn't bet on it, but to my way of thinking it's still possible.

Tim Connolly last 30-50 or so games pre-concussion/neck injury would be fantastic.

Tim Connolly w/ long hair.  No, dear Lord, no.

[dudacek]

35 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Tim Connolly last 30-50 or so games pre-concussion/neck injury would be fantastic.

Tim Connolly w/ long hair.  No, dear Lord, no.

LOL, ^^^ and how Connolly transformed is exactly why I have hope for Casey.

Edited October 4, 2021 by dudacek

[Buffalonill]

Tim Connolly could have been a top 5 center in the league if not for injuries.

He went crosby level in the playoffs and then boom

 

[bob_sauve28]

Any updates on Mitt's injury? 

 

@Brawndo 

[Doohickie]

Donny Meatballs said there would be no update until sometime today 

[Thorny]

Not practicing... 

[dudacek]

This was kinda lost in the euphoria of last night.

Big time blow at a position where we can least afford it, and of a player who really needs to play.

Looked like hand or wrist from a hack on the rush. Hope it’s not long-term.

[nucci]

Granato said out for a couple of weeks