Wings Nation First Round Targets: Casey Mittelstadt
6 years ago
Casey Mittelstadt, the top ranked American in the draft, took an unusual path to becoming a top prospect. The center started his season with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers but decided he had unfinished business back in Minnesota. He returned to Eden Prairie High School to try and finally win the Minnesota State Hockey Championship. Against inferior competition, Mittelstadt dominated during his senior season and won Minnesota’s prestigious Mr. Hockey award (though he did not capture the state title he desired). Upon his return to the USHL, Mittelstadt put up strong numbers.
Mittelstadt will attend the University of Minnesota next season and will enter as one of the top prospects in college hockey. Should the Red Wings take a risk on a player that dominated against weak competition or should they take a safer option with perhaps not as much upside? I guess it depends on who is available, though I don’t foresee Mittelstadt falling to the Red Wings’ 9th overall selection.
NHL CS Ranking
Ranked 3rd overall among North American skaters.
The Stats
(Via eliteprospects)
As you can see, Mittelstadt has put up big time points regardless of where he has played. He was among the scoring leaders in the state of Minnesota despite playing in arguably the toughest conference. Mittelstadt had an astounding 31 points in just 9 conference contests. He creates offense using his high end hockey IQ, solid vision, a strong shot, and dynamic skating ability. His blend of speed and quick east-west movement opens up space for himself and his teammates. Take a look at some highlights of Mittelstadt courtesy of The Draft Analyst (around the 5:00 mark he makes an insane move before setting up a teammate for a tap in goal):
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The Eye Test
Dan Marr, director of NHL CS, doesn’t seem too concerned about where Mittelstadt played this year:
“Casey is one of these anomalies that comes along every few years. We’ve watched him play against his peers in international tournaments and seen him play in the USHL and various camps, and he always makes a difference. It doesn’t really matter where he plays, because you get the same game from him, no matter the environment.”
Curtis Joe of the website Elite Prospects also had high praise for the center:
“An electric offensive presence on the ice, Casey Mittelstadt brings the complete package of speed, skill, and hockey sense. He competes hard with every shift, and has the dynamic puck skills to keep up with his creativity, which is a hallmark of his game. His awareness is all-encompassing, and he never puts his teammates in positions where their time and space will be bottlenecked. Bigger players don’t phase him, as he thinks the game analytically and will find chinks in the opposition’s armor on the fly. As a result, Mittelstadt is often seen forcing more complicated plays that the opposition won’t be able to read in time. On top of all this, he can play a north-south game, and his transition game is already at an elite level. He’s a complete player with the predatory instincts necessary to succeed as a consistent and, perhaps, dominant point producer at the next level.”
Fit with the Red Wings
As I said above, I think Mittelstadt will get picked before the Red Wings’ 9th selection. With that being said, if he does slip to 9, I would have no problem with the Wings taking Mittelstadt. He may be 2 years away from the NHL, but he has the potential to be a top-6 center and may even center a top line someday. A common NHL player comparison that I have seen for Mittelstadt is Tyler Seguin. Both are dynamic centers that can flat out fly and make the players around them better. Does that sound like something the Wings’ need? Absolutely.
I would not shy away from Casey Mittelstadt just because of his competition this year. He is absolutely worth the 9th overall pick, although it depends who is available. For example, if the choice is between Mittelstadt and defenseman Timothy Liljegren, I would take Mittelstadt; if the choice is between Mittelstadt and center Cody Glass, I’m leaning Glass. Regardless, Mittelstadt would immediately be the Red Wings’ top prospect if they do select him, potentially giving them their future number one center for when Henrik Zetterberg moves on.
