Summer 2025: NHL Offseason

[Night Train]

On 8/13/2025 at 3:07 PM, LGR4GM said:

There is a good reason Mittelstadt isn't here and no, I wouldn't trade for him, even draft picks. 

Colorado bailed on him quickly after paying him. His D is horrid. Ack ! No ! 

[Weave]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

 

But would rather have him in the lineup than Rosen and he's close to the next man up right now.

This I will agree with.

[Archie Lee]

1 hour ago, Weave said:

Who are you displacing with him that improves the roster?

Let’s assume the following:

- a team’s goal is to win now; and

- salaries aren’t an issue .

Given those parameters, if you polled every NHL GM and HC in the NHL and told them they could have only one of Quinn, Kulich, or Mittelstadt, I believe the vast majority would take Mittelstadt. 
 

 

[dudacek]

6 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

Let’s assume the following:

- a team’s goal is to win now; and

- salaries aren’t an issue .

Given those parameters, if you polled every NHL GM and HC in the NHL and told them they could have only one of Quinn, Kulich, or Mittelstadt, I believe the vast majority would take Mittelstadt. 
 

 

There’s little doubt Mitts is the most proven player, but it would be very hard for me to predict which one would help the Sabres most this year.

As bad as Jack Quinn was last year, he probably had a better season than Casey and I think he’s got a higher ceiling.

What’s more likely: Kulich taking a step offensively or Casey defensively? Because there is no doubt the Sabres need the more reliable player.

[dudacek]

23 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

Let’s assume the following:

- a team’s goal is to win now; and

- salaries aren’t an issue .

Given those parameters, if you polled every NHL GM and HC in the NHL and told them they could have only one of Quinn, Kulich, or Mittelstadt, I believe the vast majority would take Mittelstadt. 
 

 

There’s little doubt Mitts is the most proven player, but it would be very hard for me to predict which one would help the Sabres most this year.

As bad as Jack Quinn was last year, he probably had a better season than Casey and I think he’s got a higher ceiling.

What’s more likely: Kulich taking a step offensively or Casey defensively? Because there is no doubt the Sabres need the more reliable player.

Not sure what happened to Casey this year because he’s better than what he showed.

But how does a player go from +12 in 60ish games in Buffalo to -12 in 60ish games in Denver to -17 in 18 games in Boston?

I mean he’s certain to bounce back with a career year with the Bruins because Boston, but in Buffalo?

Edited 6 hours ago by dudacek

[PerreaultForever]

2 hours ago, Weave said:

Im not convinced Mitts is going to be much of an upgrade over Quinn anymore.

Danforth, he’s your grit and forecheck upgrade, right?  So much for that.

He’s a roster spot, and one with a 3rd contract cap hit.  He needs to displace someone.

Do you honestly think this roster will stay healthy all year?

Your playoff reliance is all on 3 youngsters stepping up all at once (Benson, Kulich, Quinn). If they don't, or only one does, it's nowhere near enough. 

Do you not value depth and internal competition?

45 minutes ago, dudacek said:

There’s little doubt Mitts is the most proven player, but it would be very hard for me to predict which one would help the Sabres most this year.

As bad as Jack Quinn was last year, he probably had a better season than Casey and I think he’s got a higher ceiling.

What’s more likely: Kulich taking a step offensively or Casey defensively? Because there is no doubt the Sabres need the more reliable player.

Not sure what happened to Casey this year because he’s better than what he showed.

But how does a player go from +12 in 60ish games in Buffalo to -12 in 60ish games in Denver to -17 in 18 games in Boston?

I mean he’s certain to bounce back with a career year with the Bruins because Boston, but in Buffalo?

If you don't add one more solid veteran (be it Mitts or whoever) how do you sit underperformers without depleting the line up? Isn't that an ongoing issue with this team? 

[Weave]

2 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

 

Do you not value depth and internal competition?

 

I don’t value Casey Mittlestadt.  I don’t see him as a “solid” veteran.  Very unsolid in my eyes.

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

Do you honestly think this roster will stay healthy all year?

Your playoff reliance is all on 3 youngsters stepping up all at once (Benson, Kulich, Quinn). If they don't, or only one does, it's nowhere near enough. 

Do you not value depth and internal competition?

If you don't add one more solid veteran (be it Mitts or whoever) how do you sit underperformers without depleting the line up? Isn't that an ongoing issue with this team? 

I'm very much in favour of adding a reliable veteran top six forward. I was just replying to @Archie Lee's hypothetical.

That said, like @Weave I'm not sure Mittelstadt fits that profile.

And I think you are missing out on the reality that there is internal competition. 

Of course I'd rather have another Norris-level player in that 4th forward spot and push somebody into the press box with Malenstyn. But look at what they do have.

Everyone acknowledges Norris, Tuch and Thompson as top 6 forwards, but they forget that Jason Zucker and Ryan McLeod were both reliable plus players who each played 16 minutes a game and topped 20 goals and 50 points. I know you disagree, but by objective statistical measures, they were legitimate 2nd liners.

There is one spot up for grabs in the top six and at least three high-pedigree young players — Kulich, Benson, Quinn — competing for it. Maybe Doan makes four. You do only "need" one of the group to break out.

If two of them bust out, you are pushing a legitimate 2nd-liner on to your 3rd line. And McLeod and Zucker aren't just going to hand over their ice time. To me, that looks like the definition of internal competition.

Taking it a step further: Danforth, Krebs, Greenway and Doan are 2-way players who all played 3rd line minutes last year. Add in two of Kulich, Quinn and Benson and you get 6 players fighting for 3rd-line minutes and three guys capable of 3rd line minutes on your 4th line.

Again, that looks to me like more internal competition. And it also looks like depth.

I'm not saying this group is good, or even good enough. I am saying there is enough depth and internal competition to give the coach options.

The fact of the matter is, you don't even need any of these players to break out statistically. Their production from last year adds up to a playoff-calibre offence.

You need them to take care of their own zone.

Let's hope the coaching staff gives the ice time to the ones that do.

Edited 3 hours ago by dudacek