After a relatively short stint in Colorado, Casey Mittelstadt is on the move again. The Avalanche have traded the 26-year-old centre to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Charlie Coyle.
Avalanche Trade Mittelstadt
Confirming Casey Mittelstadt going to #NHLBruins in deal with Charlie Coyle going to #GoAvsGo.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 7, 2025
The Colorado Avalanche have been searching for a solid second-line centre since Nazem Kadri departed and were hoping that trading for Mittelstadt last year would fix that hole. It was a decent move on paper. Former top-five draft pick defenceman Bowen Byram went to the Buffalo Sabres as Mittelstadt came to Colorado. However, as time passed, Colorado decided that Mittelstadt would be better as a trade piece. And it’s not like the Avalanche have been scared of making big trades recently. In fact, part of the Mikko Rantanen – Martin Necas deal included the Carolina Hurricanes trading centre Jack Drury to Colorado. This provided depth down the middle and made Mittelstadt a little more expendable.
Before coming to Colorado, Mittelstadt played one complete, 82 game, season in Buffalo in 2022-23. In that season he put up 59 points including 15 goals. Last season, splitting time between Buffalo and Colorado, he put up 18 goals and 57 points in 80 games. In 11 playoff games with the Avalanche last year, he scored three goals and added six assists. However, this season his production hasn’t been quite up to what Colorado was hoping for.
What This Means
For Mittelstadt, this trade gives him a new team, a new city, and a new place to try to keep progressing his game. While he is not a rookie and has multiple years of NHL experience, he still has potential that could be tapped. As a former top-ten draft selection, the expectations were always high. Sometimes players don’t pan out, sometimes they settle into different roles, and sometimes they just take longer to develop into NHL stars. Mittelstadt, as well as his new team, are certainly hoping the latter of the three will be the case.
Coyle’s Role in Colorado
Coyle is a great addition for an Avs team determined to win again. While Coyle has never lifted Lord Stanley in his career, he did play in the Stanley Cup Final in 2019. Furthermore, Coyle scored goals in three-straight games. Coyle’s experience combined with the Avs experience of winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 creates a strong dynamic in Colorado.
Coyle can play on any line for Avalanche if needed. He can provide an offensive spark and moves the puck well.
Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
