Mittelstadt has yet to live up to the billing of being selected No.8 overall in 2017 and that led to him being demoted to the AHL in 2020. He had nine points (4G / 5A) in 31 games with the Sabres before being sent to Rochester, where he tallied 25 points (9G / 16A) in 36 games. Mittelstadt is expected to get a spot in the Sabres' bottom-6 to start the 2021 season but has a lot to prove if he's going to get a raise next summer.

Mittelstadt will miss his second straight game but skated the last two days, which suggests that he won’t be out long. Evan Rodrigues will remain on the Sabres second line.

Mittelstadt, 19, was the Sabres’ first-round pick (No.8 overall) in 2017 and will turn pro after just one year at the University of Minnesota. Mittelstadt finished his freshman campaign with 11 goals and 19 assists (30 points) in 34 games. He is expected to report to the Sabres and should make his NHL debut down the stretch.

Mittelstadt was the top American prospect because of his elite speed and quickness that he couples with an NHL-ready shot. The 6-foot-1, 201 lbs. centre had 13 goals and 17 assists (30 points) in 24 games with the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL).