Report: Avalanche's Casey Mittelstadt Trade Linked to 3 Teams

The Colorado Avalanche are reportedly open to moving second-line center Casey Mittelstadt ahead of the trade deadline, and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has linked three teams to be on the watch list for a deal.

Friedman notes the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils have all poked around GM Chris MacFarland's wish list to see what the Avs' GM is looking for in return. The Avalanche are hoping to reset their financials as Mittelstadt is owed $5.75 million AAV through the 2026-27 season. The 26-year-old Mittelstadt doesn't have trade protection until the final season of his deal.

Mittelstadt is an offensive minded second-line center, who has some serious flaws defensively. He's posted 32 points in 57 games this season, however, has won just 41% of his faceoffs, landed 22 hits. It would be a very unusual fit in Toronto and New Jersey, as they need more hard-nosed shut-down types down the middle and have enough scoring production as it is.

The Senators had been open to moving Josh Norris before he got injured, but the fit for both teams would be questionable. Mittelstadt plays a 'soft' game, and while these three teams could be in play for his services, keep an eye on the Anaheim Ducks.

Colorado and Anaheim have been linked before, due to Trevor Zegras trade talks, and perhaps, the Avs take a huge gamble on Zegras over Mittelstadt, although, the two play a very similar style of game.

Mittelstadt seems to be on his way out of Colorado, and if it's not the Leafs, Devils or Sens like Friedman mentioned, consider the Ducks an option, along with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.

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