Casey Mittelstadt TRASHED By Hockey Analyst After Trade Rumors Emerge Again

Casey Mittelstadt, Boston Bruins forward

The demand for centers around the NHL continues to reach a boiling point, with injuries and other situations leaving many teams in the lurch. Second-line centers are very hard to come by, but that's what seemingly everyone's looking for.

One name that's been on the rumor mill once again lately is the Boston Bruins' Casey Mittelstadt. Insider Frank Seravalli wondered about the demand for him. The player was a healthy scratch over the weekend, and now is playing on the wing.

The Colorado Avalanche dealt a very good defenseman, Bowen Byram, for Mittelstadt at the 2023 trade deadline. They regretted it a year later and shipped Mittelstadt off to the Bruins, who are now also having buyer's remorse, according to hockey analyst Craig Button, appearing on the Frankly Hockey podcast with Frank Seravalli.

I don't think he can be a No. 2 center. I think the Colorado Avalanche made a horrific trade...
I’m going to be really straightforward. I’ve watched Casey for a long time. I don’t think it’s about Casey lacking skill. I think it’s about Casey lacking competitive spirit. So, if you want a player with a little bit of skill and can tease you a little bit, and doesn’t compete, Casey’s your guy.
I’m not going anywhere near Casey Mittelstadt.

Ouch. That's a nasty evaluation.

But the numbers certainly don't paint a pretty picture for the former 8th overall pick (2017 NHL Draft) over the course of the last two seasons. After he arrived in Denver, Mittelstadt posted 15 goals and 44 points in 81 total games, with a plus/minus rating of -14. After arriving in Boston at last year's deadline, he managed just six points in 18 games with a brutal minus-17 rating.

This season, he's already fallen into the doghouse in Boston, with Sunday's benching, and a reduction in ice time to a six-year low 14:04.

Yes, second-line centers are in high demand, but with two seasons left to run (including this one) at a $5.75M cap hit, it remains to be seen if the Bruins will be able to unload the 26-year-old Mittelstadt.