December 29th 2024.
Casey Mittelstadt is a true hockey fanatic, perhaps even more so than the average NHL player. His love and dedication to the sport is a major factor in his success as one of the top prospects in his draft class. It also played a crucial role in his ability to adjust to the NHL level, despite a slower start than expected. This passion for the game has also helped him develop a strong connection with his teammate Nathan MacKinnon since joining the Colorado Avalanche before the trade deadline last season. And it is this same passion that gives Mittelstadt confidence that he will soon overcome his recent struggles.
According to Mittelstadt, he hasn't experienced a slump like this since he was a young player. While he has seen some improvement, it's not quite at the level he would like it to be. However, he's not too worried because he knows that his hard work and dedication to the game will eventually pay off. Hockey is his life and he believes that it will ultimately triumph and help him overcome his current struggles.
In his first season with the Avalanche, Mittelstadt quickly became a fan favorite. He seamlessly joined the team as the new second-line center, playing alongside MacKinnon, and proved to be a perfect fit. Not only did he contribute 10 points in 18 regular-season games, but his performance during his first Stanley Cup Playoffs experience solidified his place on the team.
Now armed with a new three-year contract, Mittelstadt started this season strong, despite the Avalanche facing injuries and a suspension that left them short on top-line wings. Known for his passing skills, Mittelstadt surprised everyone by scoring six goals and earning 13 points in the first 10 games. He played a key role in helping the team recover from an 0-4 start and stay competitive despite missing key players.
Unfortunately, Mittelstadt's output began to decline, even as his linemates improved. Head coach Jared Bednar expressed his concern, stating that it's an issue of confidence for Mittelstadt. He has been given opportunities to shine on the ice, but hasn't been able to capitalize on them as expected. However, Bednar is quick to add that he has faith in Mittelstadt and his abilities, and hopes to see more consistency and impact from him throughout the game.
Over the past 27 games, Mittelstadt has only scored one goal. He's never been a high-volume shooter, but his shot count in the past 17 games has been exceptionally low, with only six shots on goal. He did have one shot last Friday against Utah that wasn't officially credited to him, but the difference between zero and one is still minimal. The issue isn't just his lack of goals, but also his inability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. When he's on top of his game, Mittelstadt is one of the best players on the team at winning battles and maintaining possession of the puck. However, this has been a struggle for him lately.
Mittelstadt explains that when he's not playing well, he doesn't have the puck as much, which causes him to put more pressure on himself to make a big play when he does have possession. This leads to him taking unnecessary risks instead of playing a more consistent and controlled game. He acknowledges that this is part of his current struggle and is working on finding a balance.
Mittelstadt assures everyone that his lackluster performance is not due to any injuries. He's simply going through a rough patch and is determined to work his way out of it. As someone who is deeply passionate about the sport, his level of concern also affects his confidence, making it a delicate balance for him.
Bednar acknowledges that Mittelstadt is going through a tough time and believes that he needs to free himself from the pressure he's putting on himself. He encourages him to just go out and play with confidence, and has had multiple conversations with him to help him work through his struggles.
The Avalanche may have Jonathan Drouin back in the lineup for their game against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. If so, he will likely be paired with Mittelstadt, as they had great chemistry together last season. Despite having talented players on his wings recently, Mittelstadt hasn't been able to produce the desired results. However, if he can turn things around, the Avalanche will once again have one of the most potent offensive lineups in the NHL.
For Mittelstadt, it's not a matter of if he will overcome this slump, but when. He has been through similar struggles before and has always emerged victorious. He believes that with hard work and determination, he will soon wake up and wonder how he ever doubted himself.
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