Buffalo Sabres midseason MVP candidates
Even though it hasn't been the best start to the season, the Buffalo Sabres have some players that are stepping up in a huge way. Players like Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Dylan Cozens are starting to find their game but they got off to slow starts. Despite the slow start from the big name guys, other players are picking up the slack and are having very good seasons.
While there is a long way to go until the end of the season, let's start talking about who is the MVP of the Sabres so far this year. There are a few candidates that you can make a case for being the MVP. Here are the players who should be viewed as the team's most valuable player so far.
1. Casey Mittelstadt
This name might be a surprise to some people but Casey Mittelstadt has been playing pretty good for Bufalo this season. Looking at his stats, Mittelstadt definitely has made a case for himself. In 49 games played, Mittelstadt has 12 goals and 30 assists. His 42 points leads the Sabres in that department. While the fanbase is split on him, you can't deny that he's been very solid for a struggling Buffalo team.
Ever since head coach Don Granato took over a couple of years ago, Casey has improved and has shown why he was selected by the Sabres 8th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. He might be the minority when it comes to being the best player on the Sabres this year, but he should be considered as the teams MVP at this point of the season. He is due for a new contract soon, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep it rolling with that as motivation.
2. JJ Peterka
JJ Peterka has been absolutely awesome this year with Buffalo. In just his second year, he has already surpassed his totals from his rookie season. In 49 games played this year, he has 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points. Last season he played in 77 games, registering 12 goals and 20 assists. It's too early to tell if this is a breakout season for sure because he will continue to get better, but as of now you can make a case for this year being a breakout season.
His production should not be a surprise. Ever since he signed with the Sabres, everyone was hopeful he was going to be a key player for the franchise in the future. Peterka is so much fun to watch and whenever he is on the ice, he is a huge threat to have on for Buffalo. There's a great chance he is the MVP but there are two more guys who might have a say.
3. Rasmus Dahlin
For the third candidate, Rasmus Dahlin is another guy who should be considered as the team's MVP. This season, Dahlin has scored 13 goals and registered 25 assists for a total of 38 points in 48 games played. As all Sabres fans know, Rasmus is the backbone of the blue line. We all know him to be the skilled defenseman we expected back in 2018 but now that he has a mean side to him, it makes a huge difference and gives Buffalo the physicality they are missing.
Just like Peterka, Dahlin is a huge threat when he's on the ice especially during a power play or 3 on 3 overtime. Just what he can do with the puck in the open ice is such a treat. He currently leads all NHL defensemen in goals so there is a very good chance we see him in the discussion for the Norris Trophy at the end of the year.
4. Jeff Skinner
The last Sabres midseason MVP candidate is Jeff Skinner. Ever since the season started, Skinner has been one of the most consistent players on the roster. Even though he has missed some games because of injuries, he has still been producing when healthy. Jeff has 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points in 41 games played this year.
As mentioned earlier, he is one of the few Sabres players who has been playing consistently during the first four months of the season. If you watch this team play on a nightly basis, then you know how incredibly inconsistent they are. It makes it refreshing seeing a player playing good for the most part instead of going up and down production wise.
For the midseason MVP, Peterka seems to be the favorite in my opinion. Him and Skinner are the two choices but you can make a case for the other two players talked about. We'll see who ends up being the MVP for Buffalo when all is set and done but it should not be a surprise if any of the players talked about in this article end up winning it.
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