Buffalo Sabres: Casey Mittelstadt is playing better than you think
Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt continues to get a bad rap, but after a rough start to the season, his play has picked up.
While Casey Mittelstadt has not lived to the lofty expectations set forth for an eighth overall pick, he is playing better than most in the Buffalo Sabres faithful believe. No, he is playing nowhere near All-Star caliber, and no, this is not an endorsement to keep the former first round pick long-term.
But when you look at some of Mittelstadt’s numbers plus his play on the ice, he is actually on-pace to having an unspectacular, but solid season. And for a player that has underachieved so far in his career, it’s a step in the right direction for the star-crossed center.
Mittelstadt has been serviceable for the Buffalo Sabres
During the Sabres 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, defenseman Owen Power let one rip toward the net. Mittelstadt did the rest and got one past goaltender Brian Elliott to tie the game at the 8:34 mark in the second period.
It was Mittelstadt’s second goal of the season, and his eighth point in 12 games. If you are doing the math, Mittelstadt is on pace for 55 points in 2022-23. No, it’s not an outstanding number, but if he stays healthy and at the same pace, he could wind up shattering his previous best of 25 points in 77 games, which he logged back in 2018-19.
He has also been effective on special teams, with five power play assists plus a shorthanded goal. During Friday night’s loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Sabres, as a unit, won just 39% of their faceoffs. Mittelstadt won nine of those faceoffs, good for a 69.2% FOW% that night.
While there has been improvement this season, he does have a glaring 12 giveaways, putting him on pace for 82. But he also has nine takeaways, which would give him 62 over an 82-game stretch if he keeps up his current pace.
Related Story. Sabres: Tage Thompson is an early MVP candidate. light
Overall, Mittelstadt’s status with the Sabres in the future is still up in the air, and it is likely he won’t be wearing the Blue and Gold much longer. But if he continues to show steady improvement as the season wears on, he could at least play a key role in helping the Sabres return to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
Want your voice heard? Join the Sabre Noise team!