Former first-round pick could fuel NY Islanders haul at the trade deadline

The NY Islanders need to do something, as now that we’re steamrolling into the two-thirds of the way through the season mark, they’re still hopeless when it comes to scoring, with just 150 goals. That paltry number puts them at No. 26 in the NHL, and for a team that still has a fighting chance to make something happen, the Isles are running out of time. 

Luckily for them, there’s at least one player rumored to be on the trade block who can come to Long Island and help out the cause. No, this player won’t completely turn the team around, but he’s a former first-round pick who’s enjoyed some success in this league in the past. 

That player is Casey Mittelstadt, whose time in Denver, Colorado could be reaching its twilight as he’s proven time and again he’s not the greatest of fits for the Avalanche. Some fans may not like the idea of a potential trade for Mittelstadt, but when he’s in the right system, he can shine. 

Casey Mittelstadt would be a good fit on Long Island for one reason

The Islanders have been a more physical team in the past, but this season, it seems like they’re backing off from that, logging about 22 hits per game. Not a bad number, but it’s signaling a potential change in their approach. 

That’s good news for a player like Mittelstadt who, while gritty at times, generally isn’t the most physical center in hockey. Still, he’s someone who can give you between 40 and 50 assists per season, something he proved during his last full season over in Western New York. This year, he’s garnered just 23 assists and 32 points but again, Denver hasn’t been kind to him. 

He’s not much of a scorer, but the Isles have players who can get the puck into the net. They just need someone willing to pass the puck often and able to find open linemates. That’s good news to the likes of Bo Horvat, Brock Nelson, and Kyle Palmieri, assuming nobody from that trio gets traded. 

Bringing in Mittelstadt wouldn’t be a bad idea even if the Islanders sold

Suppose Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri go elsewhere, I’m still not against bringing in someone like Mittelstadt. Yeah, the Isles would be transitioning at this point, but young players like Simon Holmstrom could work well with Mittelstadt. Not to mention if the Isles traded both players mentioned above, they’d also receive youngsters for compensation. 

In other words, general manager Lou Lamoriello could start brewing a solid core that would include a player in his twenties like Mittelstadt. It might sound counterintuitive to some, but if the Isles traded for the former first-round pick, they’d find themselves in a can’t-lose situation. 

Like I said, Mittelstadt wouldn’t be a miracle worker, but it doesn’t mean he won’t sidle in as a solid asset and one who can bring some offensive firepower the Isles need, regardless of the direction they go. We’ll see if Mittelstadt ends up on Lamoriello’s shortlist and if he does, acquiring him wouldn’t bring a ton of cheers. But it will bring some much-needed help.