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<\/p>\nLet\u2019s take a closer look at Middleton and see what he brings to the table for Calgary.<\/p>\n
Offence<\/p>\n
Contributing to the offence has never been Middleton\u2019s strong point, but he has had enough consistent results to at least say he\u2019s serviceable here. He doesn\u2019t shoot a lot from the point \u2013 which is a good thing \u2013 instead trying to get the puck back deep to a forward as a safe play becomes the default.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not that he won\u2019t shoot \u2013 he does have 20 goals in his last 4 full seasons with the Wild \u2013 he just won\u2019t have the same looks that being out there with Faber, Hughes, Kaprizov, or Boldy. He\u2019s now with Coronato, Gridin, Parekh, and Farabee. It\u2019s reasonable to suggest the offence might dry up a bit more than what\u2019s been regularly produced.<\/p>\n
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He makes good passes and recognizes how to funnel the puck in the offensive zone to more dangerous linemates. At this point, with 381 NHL games under his belt, he understands the nuances of what it takes to be a successful every day NHL player.<\/p>\n
Defence<\/p>\n
What are the nuances? Let\u2019s start with quick outs \u2013 getting the puck back on your stick and finding a way to get it out of your zone. The more time spent in your defensive zone the worse off it gets, forcing the other squad to consistently regroup isn\u2019t a bad thing. Middleton does a really good job of picking up dumped in pucks and getting them back out of the zone.<\/p>\n
He does struggle with the rush defending \u2013 and in the NHL where players get faster by the week that\u2019s not going to change. This is where there needs to be limitations on his role. If he\u2019s the guy you are sending out to try and stop the McDavids, MacKinnons, or Celebrinis of the world, you\u2019re in danger. If you have him matched up against inexperienced youth or bottom 6 players he can thrive all day long.<\/p>\n
NHL Edge had his average speed in the 53rd percentile \u2013 him going up against those significantly higher would lead to some problems.<\/p>\n
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There\u2019s quite a few defensive strengths, though, ones that do make Middleton stand out. A) his ability to keep people away from the crease and B) his absolute fearlessness to block shots.<\/p>\n
Both on the penalty kill and at 5v5 you will be very hard pressed to get a quality chance in tight against Middleton. He knows his angles and how to use the lumber in his hand to keep guys from driving the lane, unless they want some serious bruises. The coach can have faith knowing Middleton will do what it takes to keep traffic away from the goaler. He will eat pucks, the same as Engelland and Tanev before him. He\u2019s going to be a valuable addition to the penalty kill and provide a stabilizing presence for whichever youthful player they decide to pair with him (Brzustewicz<\/a>, Kuznetsov<\/a>, etc).TransitionNow that I\u2019ve rediscovered my login for AllThreeZones.com<\/a>, I have the ability to share with you transition charts! See aspects of a player that are very difficult to keep tally of when the game is moving as fast as it does. What I really like about this is Middleton\u2019s metrics for dangerous passes. It further amplifies that he knows how to help the offence out, and it\u2019s by putting the puck on someone else\u2019s stick. He also does well at the retrievals, being the guy that takes the brunt of the forecheck isn\u2019t a fun job, but someone has got to do it. Middleton does not shy away from that.<\/p>\n There are a lot of non-possessive exits though, so get ready for some glass and out plays to keep the puck in the neutral zone.<\/p>\n Final thoughts<\/p>\n Middleton is an everyday, every game, third pair NHL defenceman. If he\u2019s playing more minutes you\u2019re probably in trouble, but if you\u2019re Calgary that truthfully hardly matters at the current stage of their rebuild. (It\u2019s so nice to say.)<\/p>\n He will bring physicality, some tough defence, some immaculate vibes and one heck of a moustache to Calgary. Fans will love him, he will give the team everything he\u2019s got and then some. He\u2019ll be a stabilizing presence and provides the squad with another quality veteran should the Flames decide to accept the inevitable deadline haul they\u2019ll get offered for Whitecloud.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783277590_449_image.webp\"\/)
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