Avalanche Trade Rumors
Avalanche’s Casey Mittelstadt Joins NHL Insider’s Trade Targets Board

The Avalanche’s No. 2 center Casey Mittelstadt was listed as a potential trade target by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli on Monday.
The addition was made days after Vancouver traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers. Multiple sources have since indicated the Avalanche were among the teams interested in the 31-year-old center. Given Miller’s $8 million AAV, it’s likely that any Avs trade offer would’ve included Mittelstadt.
Here’s what Seravalli said about Mittelstadt in the updated Trade Targets Board:
“Given that both Mittelstadt and Bowen Byram are on our Targets board, itโs fair to say that neither [Buffalor or Colorado] has been enthralled with the one-for-one swap that was one of the true surprises of Deadline 2024. Unlike Byram, Mittelstadt is at least under contract for two seasons beyond this one, so he would provide a little cost certainty moving forward. He just hasnโt quite been a fit, or as productive, in Jared Bednarโs lineup and weโre told the Avalanche are willing to shake things up if they can find the right deal.”
Mittelstadt is a tough player to evaluate. After last year’s swap for Byram, it took the 26-year-old a little bit of time to adjust to a new team and system. But he eventually found his game and was excellent in the No. 2 center role behind Nathan MacKinnon in the playoffs. Mittelstadt had three goals and nine points in 11 postseason games.
But this season hasn’t quite delivered the same results. Mittelstadt exploded out of the gate in October and had 13 points in Colorado’s first 10 games. He’s since seen his production take a massive dip, compiling just 19 points in his last 44 games. Bednar has downgraded Mittelstadt to both the third and four-line center role throughout this stretch with hopes of snapping him back into form.
In recent games, Mittelstadt has consistently played back in the 2C spot alongside wingers Juuso Parssinen and either Jonathan Drouin or Artturi Lehkonen.
In 83 total games between the regular season and playoffs with the Avalanche, Mittelstadt has 16 goals, 35 assists, and 51 points with a minus-14 rating and 121 shots on goal.
My Thoughts
I do believe the Avs want to upgrade the 2C position but I’m still struggling with how they go about it. Miller was such an obvious fit given his track record and cost certainty for several years beyond this season. It would’ve been a great acquisition. But now that he’s off the board, what can Chris MacFarland do before March 7?
On one hand, there could be centers he’s looking at that aren’t necessarily being talked about on the trade market. We’ve seen the Avs front office operate in secrecy like this in the past. But on the other hand, if they don’t have anyone specific in mind, it might be best to keep Mittelstadt until the summer and see who becomes available.
Trading Mittelstadt in a panic move isn’t going to help this team. But another option could be to acquire a rental who could slot in as 2C and push Mittelstadt down to 3C for the remainder of this season. Then in the summer, you can reassess whether Mittelstadt deserves another shot at 2C or if he’s traded for a player who becomes available when the cap climbs to $95.5 million and other teams start to re-work their rosters. Mittelstadt’s playoff production can also help you make this decision.
Either way, the fact that Mittelstadt has been mentioned among NHL Insiders is still worthwhile news. This might be something to keep an eye on over the next four and a half weeks.
I would trade for Brock Nelson
Your better off trading Mittlestadt. He’s too finesse for a 3rd line role.
3C is where Mitts was excelling in Buffalo. Avs canโt play him there because of his contract but heโs been an elite 3C in the past. Iโm not too familiar with Nelson outside of paper stats but what more does he bring than Mitts? Their production is basically identical so unless his defensive numbers/meyrics are significantly better I donโt see how he would be that much of an upgrade over Mitts considering the age and lack of cost control.
I say we trade for Ryan O’Reilly, which shouldn’t require sending back Mittelstadt. The two can rotate the 2C and 3C spots as matchups and hot or cold streaks dictate. Then obviously O’Reilly would play on the PK and give us another great face-off guy, while Mittelstadt could conceivably feast on 3rd lines with wingers like Colton and (hopefully) Landeskog – which could build back his confidence heading into the playoffs. Then O’Reilly has a couple years left at a very reasonable hit, and could slide into the 3C role beyond this season. I know Nashville wants to do right… Read more »
Orielly would actually fit as a 3rd line center. He’s a good two way player. And def elevate colton play.
I agree send wood,2nd but I say innala instead
You’d be lucky to get a 7th Rd pick for Innala. He has less than zero trade value.
The Athletic listed some trades they’d like to see. One was RoR to Toronto for Frazer Minten, Nicholas Robertson, and a pick.
If Barry Trotz had a choice between your offer and the Athletics, it would be a no brainer he goes to the Leafs.
I like the idea of O’Reilly always have. Would love to know if when he was a free agent two summers ago if the Avs made an offer? Two things. I don’t think that package would get it done. Ivan has little to no value. Miles Wood has minimal value with the term on that contract. Second thing is as you alluded to, it’s been reported the Preds will only deal him if they get bowled over by an offer & O’Reilly despite not having trade protection would most likely be consulted before a deal were to be made. He’s… Read more »
Actually, according to lots of scouting experts, Ivan has been seen as one of the most valuable assets in the Avs organization – possibly more than any prospect other than Ritchie or Gulyayev. He’s very young – but ready to contribute now – with an extremely reasonable contract and a lot of cost controlled years left. The fact he played with, and kept up with MacKinnon on the top line and top power play for a spell only increased his profile, perceived ceiling, and value. In fact, the Avs are reportedly keen on holding onto him, unless they see a… Read more »
This trade is pretty levelheaded–definitely worth discussing. I like that you don’t just send Mittsy out the door. I’m not sure you get top value for him in season and he really did play well in the playoffs. Also, O’Reilly would give you stability, regardless of what happens with Mittsy, until Ritchie is ready to take a shot at the role.
I think RoR would be a great fit, but your proposed trade wouldn’t even be close. There’s 10 teams out there that would beat that package in an instant if he is made available.
Mittelstadt is far too expensive for a third-line role, and based on his playing time, he no longer has Bednar’s trust. Bo Horvat would be an interesting candidate, but Lou Lamoriello will likely want to keep him. Bednar needs players he can trust and who can play a lot of minutes. It’s clear that Mittelstadt has to go. The big move is Crosby. Otherwise, O’Reilly + Marchand would provide good depth for the offense.
Mittelstadt is not only too expensive but also ill-suited for third โor fourth-line roles. Other than his slick passing and high-level stickhandling skills, he offers little. He sucks at faceoffs. He is a soft, one-dimensional player that I would trade sooner rather than later. If he can’t play in the top six, he has no role on the team.
Pretty much sums it up. Which is unfortunate because he’s got excellent talent. But if he’s not the 2C @ his cap hit. There’s not much sense in keeping him around.
And any trade to bring in yet another 2C candidate. Would have to involve moving his money out. They’re not going to pay him 5.5 to be the 3C.
Mitts is toast. Iโd be happy to reverse the Byram trade or shoot for OP with a throw-in (Manson).
Mitts is this seasons whipping post much like Girard was last. His style of play fills a void we need plugged. His numbers are on par with other average 2Cs. He is working on remodeling his game and it will improve. Fantasy all you like, but an upgrade at 2C is not the primary need (e.g., shoring up D and bottom six).
They wouldnโt have gotten Necas and Drury if they were gonna keep Mitts.
Byram would be a nice boomerang.
Iโm a Buffalo fanโฆbig time (historically painful). I watch every game. You couldnโt get Byram out of Buffalo with a crowbar. He is playing great and may be better than Dahlin.