Mittelstadt Isn't On The Trade Block Just Yet

The Boston Bruins are a team to really pay attention to at the start of the season as they had a poor 2024-25 season, lost Brad Marchand, and had a bad offseason trying to bring in talent. When healthy and performing, the defense and goaltending can hold the Bruins in games, but the forward group looks really weak from top to bottom.

Boston is a team that contenders looking to upgrade have their eye on and will strike early in the season if they falter. Tradeable assets like Pavel Zacha, Casey Mittelstadt, Viktor Arvidsson, and more will be on the radar of teams needing a middle-6 upgrade, but Mittelstadt is an interesting one in particular.

Frank Seravalli said, "(The Bruins) are in wait and see mode...to see how that works out. Can (Mittelstadt) put the pieces back together."

Mittelstadt is a former eighth overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres, and by the end of his time there, he was starting to become the offensive player they hoped for. But then he was traded in the Bowen Byram deal and his production took a hit as he wasn't the same. Mittelstadt had 15 goals and 59 points in 2022-23, solely for the Sabres, and followed that up with 18 goals and 57 points split between the Sabres and Colorado Avalanche. Last season, split between the Avalanche and the Bruins, where he is now, he had just 15 goals and 40 points with a -29.

Mittelstadt is going into year two of a three year deal at $5.75 million AAV. That makes it tougher for them to trade him and cap retention would have to be in play. He is 26 years old, so he isn't too old to get better. Bouncing around could also impact his ability to form chemistry, get comfortable, and once again put up 55+ points. If the Bruins got that sort of production from Mittelstadt this season, I think he sticks around and plays in the top-6 next season again. That may be a little much to ask, but there is opportunity in the Bruins' lineup with a lack of high-end talent.