Should the Rangers Trade for Sabres' Casey Mittelstadt? Plus Two Other Destinations

Pending RFA Casey Mittelstadt should get lots of interest if the Sabres try to trade him. With Blake Wheeler injured for the season, the Rangers are one of three possible destinations, says Adam Proteau.

As the Buffalo Sabres continue to slowly slide down the rankings of the Atlantic Division, attention is turning to what they could do at the NHL’s March 8 trade deadline. 

Some observers believe they could be buyers, with a focus on acquiring talent to help them next season. However, others think they could be sellers at the deadline. And if they are, their most valuable trade asset could be forward Casey Mittelstadt.

The 25-year-old Mittelstadt leads all Sabres players in points right now, with 43 in 53 games, while averaging 18:24 in ice time. His salary cap hit of $2.5 million makes him an attractive trade chip. Although Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams has denied speculation he’s looking to move Mittelstadt, some part of the Sabres’ core needs to change. This team needs a different mix, and with Mittelstadt scheduled to be an RFA this summer, Adams may not want to give him a hefty raise and trade him instead.

Where could Mittelstadt wind up – and who could Buffalo acquire for him? Let’s look at a few teams that have the desire and the assets to land him in a deal. In no particular order:

The Rangers were dealt a blow on Friday when they learned Blake Wheeler is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a leg injury on Thursday, per multiple reports.

The Rangers have about $4.4 million in cap space before adding Wheeler's $800,000 cap hit on LTIR. As such, Mittelstadt would fit in nicely as either their third-line center or second-line winger. 

In return, the Rangers could offer Buffalo a young player who still has upside – someone such as winger Kaapo Kakko, whose name has been bandied about in trade rumors for a very long time. Like Mittelstadt, Kakko will be an RFA this summer, but he’d likely get a less lucrative contract extension than Mittelstadt.

Kakko is two years younger than Mittelstadt, and that makes him a better fit in Buffalo’s long-term plans than Mittelstadt. It would be a significant gamble on Adams’ part, but you can see where this move would make sense for both teams. The Rangers would get a dynamic young player, while the Sabres would get a competitor with room to grow his game. It’s a win for both parties.

The Kings have been mired in a slump, and their offense has failed to deliver as expected. Would Mittelstadt be a help in that regard? We think so. 

The question becomes what the Kings would have to offer – and the answer is blueliner Matt Roy, who will be a UFA at season’s end. Roy’s cap hit of $3.15 million means that a Mittelstadt trade could work financially for Los Angeles and Buffalo.

The Kings could have problems retaining Roy, so giving him up in exchange for a team-controllable asset like Mittelstadt would be a savvy deal for L.A. GM Rob Blake. And acquiring the 28-year-old Roy would bolster Buffalo’s right defense corps, which currently consists of Henri Jokiharju, Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson. 

The Sabres would need assurances Roy would sign a contract extension to give up Mittelstadt. But considering many believe Adams will deal veteran D-man Johnson by the deadline, Buffalo needs a top-four piece on the blueline, and Roy fits the bill.

Seattle currently has the NHL’s fifth-worst offense, generating just 2.72 goals-for per game. They certainly could use help at forward in the playoff hunt, and with $3.25 million in cap space, they’ve got room for Mittelstadt. Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals is another option for Seattle should the Sabres keep the forward or send him elsewhere.

The Kraken’s biggest trade chip to consummate a deal with Buffalo could be the expiring contract (and $4.5-million cap hit) of veteran center Alexander Wennberg. It’s true the Sabres wouldn’t get a player who can contribute for the long term in this proposed deal, but it does give Buffalo more cap flexibility to try and make bigger moves in the off-season.

The Kraken are seeking a long-term fit up front, and Mittelstadt makes a lot of sense for them. They may need to throw in a second- or third-round pick to outbid other teams for Mittelstadt’s services, but they’d be landing a youngster who is entering his prime. Sacrificing some expiring cap space and a prospect or pick makes sense for Seattle as well as Buffalo.