Brad Treliving Faces Rare Opportunity as Rival Reportedly Shops Two Centers
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has the chance of a lifetime to take a look at two potential forwards being shopped by their rivals: Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt according to a new report from RG.org.
There were previous reports that the Boston Bruins were looking to perhaps entertain a deal for Pavel Zacha, and we touched on his potential as a Maple Leaf should Brad Treliving want to bring him aboard.
But there's another player who could certainly add a new dynamic to the team however it does come with some caveats: Casey Mittelstadt.
Mittelstadt On The Move? Reports Indicate Yes
Named in trade rumors recently, including with rival Montreal for defensive enforcer Arber Xhekaj, Mittelstadt didn't really fit in Beantown and the team is looking to part ways with him.
Those rumors come from an article from James Murphy of RG.org, where he named Mittelstadt as a potential trade piece:
I don't know how many rumors he's been in, but I've been hearing [Casey] Mittelstadt could be on the move again since before the Bruins season even ended.
There was a common feeling that he wasn't their main target when they traded for him; Zellers and the second-round draft pick were.
There was a common feeling that he wasn't their main target when they traded for him; Zellers and the second-round draft pick were.
It's fairly well known that Colorado was not going to take on Charlie Coyle without making sure Mittelstadt was added in, as he had no place for them and they wanted to get away as quickly as possible.
One executive told RG that it's entirely possible they trade him once he builds up his stock a bit more:
I think a lot of teams have been and are expecting the Bruins to flip him at some point, but where's his value at right now if that's the case?
They may just see how it goes this season. Maybe he reshapes his value, and if they're out of it again at the next trade deadline, then they move him then and parlay him into another pick or prospect.
They may just see how it goes this season. Maybe he reshapes his value, and if they're out of it again at the next trade deadline, then they move him then and parlay him into another pick or prospect.
So should Toronto take a chance?
Maple Leafs and Mittelstadt? A Risky Proposition
There's always something about adding a former top-10 pick to the lineup, but for Mittelstadt, who has never really come into his form after being drafted 8th overall in 2017 by the Buffalo Sabres.
He does have 236 points in 438 games however has never reached the 20-goal mark, and is not the greatest defensively which causes a lot of issues. He doesn't hit or block shots, he wins face-offs at a decent clip, but at least he can stay out of the penalty box.
Adding him won't help the Maple Leafs' forward issues, and unless they can bring him in for David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok it'll be hard to fit him in. He could play fourth line center minutes in place of Kampf and maybe even slide in on the wing with Nic Roy.
But there's seemingly a reason why teams don't want to keep Mittelstadt around, and whether it's locker room issues, or just a lack of consistency; something's up.
So unless the Maple Leafs can buy low on Mittelstadt and take a flyer on him, there's no real sense in adding him especially if they can't make room in the first place.
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