BUFFALO, N.Y. - Casey Mittelstadt's first NHL season offered glimpses into why Jason Botterill took him with the Sabres first pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Mittelstadt tallied five points in six games (one goal, four assists), impressing teammates with his speed and soft hands. After last season ended, Mittelstadt promised to work on his defense and faceoff skills. It's too early to tell how he's improved in those areas, but he appears to have packed on a good amount of muscle over the offseason.

"I worked out pretty hard. It was a good summer in Minnesota," he says. "It was just a matter of getting into the weightroom. It's a big summer for me, my first summer I had time at home, wasn't traveling, playing hockey, going to camps, things like that. I had a good chunk at home. Went to the weight room a few times a week. That was key for me."

Mittelstadt had an infamous showing at the 2017 NHL Combine, earning ridicule after he couldn't complete a single pull-up. Sabres GM Jason Botterill was undeterred, selecting Mittelstadt eighth overall last year. The rookie flew home to Minnesota after development camp, and returned to Buffalo to practice with his teammates before the prospect camp tournament.

"It's definitely cool. You get to see how guys play and train," he says. "That's the best part for me. Getting to know them on and off the ice is cool for a young guy like me."

With Ryan O'Reilly traded to St. Louis, Mittelstadt has a chance to be the Sabres second-line center; he'll likely compete against Patrik Berglund and Sam Reinhart, if Phil Housley moves him from center.