Golden Knights Trade Candidate Report: Casey Mittelstadt
The Vegas Golden Knights could swing another deal with the Buffalo Sabres for an offensive piece. Would Casey Mittelstadt fit in the grand scheme?
1. Casey Mittelstadt's Scouting Report
Casey Mittelstadt is a creative playmaker who can play both center and wing. His versatility makes him a perfect fit for Bruce Cassidy's team, where he can be slotted in the middle of the lineup. Mittelstadt also has crafty hands, making him an expert in the art of puck control.
The native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, also has a friendly contract, with a cap hit of $2.5 million. There isn't a no-move clause attached as well, making him a lucrative trade candidate. But as mentioned before, Buffalo is looking to give him a new contract before the start of next season. Therefore, Mittelstadt might not even be available to other teams.
There are also problems with Casey Mittelstadt's game. For example, his game is limited on the ice as an offensive talent. He also needs to improve his skating and pick up a half-step, which will help him become more well-rounded. If the former Minnesota Golden Gopher bulks up his defensive game, he can become an asset in the Vegas Golden Knights system, if acquired.
2. Who Else Wants Casey Mittelstadt?
Perhaps the most obvious trade candidate would be the Winnipeg Jets, who have been buoyed by their star goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck. The Vezina favorite has done an excellent job keeping the Jets in games. However, it can't just be Hellebuyck that carries the load. That's where the former Golden Gopher comes in, for he can be added to lines consisting of Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele.
There's also the Colorado Avalanche. Imagine an Avalanche team that adds Casey Mittelstadt to a lineup consisting of Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and Nathan MacKinnon. While Colorado already has insane forward and scoring depth, adding more would be tough to stop. Thus, a team like that would be unstoppable in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
There have also been rumblings of other teams looking into his services, including the Boston Bruins. But there's a good chance Mittelstadt stays in Buffalo for the foreseeable future. The Sabres have the cap space to swing a deal, where he'll be rewarded for giving life to Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner.
3. The Trade Proposal for Casey Mittelstadt
On the note of cap space, that's a good thing for the Vegas Golden Knights if they wanted to pursue a trade. The Golden Knights can fit a player with a sizable contract (i.e. Alec Martinez) in the deal, making way for their younger defensemen (i.e. Kaeden Korczak). Therefore, this is a deal which can be worked.
Casey Mittelstadt Trade
Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams likes players who are committed to the Sabres. Mittelstadt has stated his intentions to stay with the organization, where he hopes for a long-term deal. As it stands, the forward won't likely be moved by March 8.
There's also the case of Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson to worry about. Both players are due sizable contracts by the end of the season, leaving Kelly McCrimmon with a big decision (or two). However, anything can happen at the trade deadline. Thus, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Vegas Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres work one more deal at the deadline.
4:00 PM PST. March 2, 2024. 12. 28-28-4. VGK -120. 33-20-7. 942. NHLPP/ESPN+. Vegas Golden Knights vs. Buffalo Sabres
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