The Boston Bruins have one season to decide what Casey Mittelstadt is worth to their long-term plans, and an early contract projection puts that decision in the $26 million range.
Mittelstadt is entering the final season of the three-year, $17.25 million contract he signed with Colorado in 2024. The deal carries a $5.75 million annual cap hit and expires after the 2026-27 season, when the 27-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent.
CBS Sports reported at the time that the deal carried a total value of $17.25 million.
AFP Analytics projects Mittelstadt to land a four-year contract worth $6.54 million annually, via Boston Hockey Now. That would put the total value at $26.16 million and represent a $790,000 raise in annual salary.
The projection comes after Mittelstadt delivered a steadier first full season in Boston.
He finished 2025-26 with 15 goals, 27 assists and 42 points in 71 games while posting a career-best plus-12 rating.
Hockey Reference lists those as improvements in points and plus-minus from his first abbreviated stint with the Bruins.
For Boston, the next examination is whether that production and his ability to move between center and wing warrant another sizable commitment.
Mittelstadt Projected for $26.16 Million Deal
GettyBUFFALO, NEW YORK – APRIL 21: Viktor Arvidsson #71 of the Boston Bruins celebrates scoring a goal with Casey Mittelstadt #11 in the third period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)
Mittelstadt arrived in Boston at the 2025 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent Coyle to Colorado.
The Bruins also received prospect William Zellers and a second-round draft pick in the swap.
His first full season gave Boston a picture of where he can fit.
Boston Hockey Now noted that Mittelstadt found success on the left wing alongside Zacha and Arvidsson, with head coach Marco Sturm praising the trio’s experience and hockey IQ.
Mittelstadt also continued to take draws despite spending time on the wing, winning 91 of 186 faceoffs.
Boston’s roster also looks different than it did when Mittelstadt became a regular member of the top six.
The Bruins acquired Peterka from Utah in June for two first-round picks, adding another young forward expected to play a significant offensive role. The Bruins announced the deal June 26 after Peterka recorded 25 goals and 47 points last season.
That makes Mittelstadt’s 2026-27 season especially important.
Another productive year could bolster his case for the type of four-year commitment AFP projects.
A step backward could make Boston more hesitant to add another multi-year deal to its forward group.
Bruins Have a Season to Decide Mittelstadt’s Future
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 01: Alex Lyon #34 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save against Casey Mittelstadt #11 of the Boston Bruins during the first period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Bruins have some room to evaluate the situation.
Mittelstadt is under contract for the upcoming season, giving Boston an opportunity to see how he fits into Sturm’s lineup before making a long-term call.
He will turn 28 in November, meaning a four-year extension would cover much of his late-prime window rather than stretching deep into his 30s.
His production will still have to justify the price.
Mittelstadt’s 42 points last season were an improvement on a 2024-25 campaign split between Colorado and Boston, when he finished with 40 points in 81 games.
He has also shown higher offensive potential, yielding a career-best 59 points with Buffalo in 2022-23 before totaling 57 points the following season.
Boston returned to the playoffs last season with a 45-27-10 record before its first-round exit, and the organization has since continued adding pieces to the squad, highlighted by the Peterka trade.
Mittelstadt now has a chance to show he belongs in that picture beyond this season.
A projected $26.16 million contract gives the Bruins an early basis.
What Mittelstadt does over the next several months could determine whether Boston eventually decides that number is worth paying.
Boston Bruins’ Former Top-10 Pick Gets $26 Million Contract Prediction