Quoting: ChiHawk
Nah, unless Buffalo's pick is a top 5 (2021 draft not nearly as strong as 2020). Middlestadt is a total crap shoot of a player. Dylan's development and utilization were totally mishandled by Arizona. Since coming to the Hawks the last two seasons he put up 58 points and on pace for 54 points and he's only 23 and Buffalo would gain complete control of his contract. One could argue Debrincat substantially helped Strome's number but let's be honest, playing next to Skinner and Reinhardt, Strome would do quite well. Both those guys would compliment Strome's style of play for sure better then Debrincat.
I don't think the Hawks would do it anyway. Strome is the future 2c behind Dach as Toews will eventually fall down to be a lockdown 3C in a few years. Only way Hawks move Strome is in exchange for Cozens or Hawks draft someone like Lundell.
I'm not so high on Strome. He has a defensive responsibility and he has problems with skating, he spent one very solid season in Chicago and I would not start trading the first pick and Mittelstadt, who could very well become a player no worse than Strome.
Why is Chytil not considered a bust, and Mittelstad is considered? They have almost the same statistics. In his first season, Mittelstadt was thrown under a train and decided to entrust him with the role of 2C, although obviously he was not ready. He was supposed to spend this season completely in the AHL, but they again put him in the NHL and after 30 games they decided to send him to the AHL, the more he played in the AHL, the more he added. I do not see any problems with Mittelstadt’s trade, but I don’t think that he has no value, then it’s better to leave him and he may well become a player for 45-50 points, even if he does not play in the center.
I would not trade anything more than Mittelstadt for Strome, if Chicago is not interesting, there are no problems, so you need to look elsewhere.