BUFFALO – Former Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt knew a trade could be coming last season.
His emergence as a consistent point producer put him in line to sign a hefty new contract following the campaign. It also transformed him into perhaps general manager Kevyn Adams’ greatest asset as he scoured the market to improve the Sabres.
“I saw the writing on the wall a little bit,” Mittelstadt said Tuesday prior to his first game against the Sabres as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, a 5-4 win over his former team.
So Mittelstadt, who often talked about his close friendships on the Sabres and how much he enjoyed playing here, narrowed his focus. He doesn’t use social media often, so he missed many of the rumors swirling about his uncertain future.
“I remember thinking if this is my last few games here or whatever, I want to enjoy it,” he said in KeyBank Center. “I think I have such good friendship and memories with guys that are in the room, so just try to have fun with it, and whatever happened happened.”
Still, when the Sabres traded him March 6 following a pregame skate in Toronto – the Avalanche sent back Bowen Byram, a defenseman Adams coveted, in return – Mittelstadt said he “was shocked.”
“When that moment comes, you’re definitely caught off guard a little bit,” said Mittelstadt, a player Adams inherited from the Sabres’ previous regime. “But I think you know at the same time, I was excited, too.”
He added: “I think it worked out for both sides. I loved my time in Buffalo.”
So far, joining Colorado, which boasts a lineup featuring superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen, has been a rewarding experience.
Mittelstadt received his first taste of the playoffs last season.
“It was a blast,” said Mittelstadt, who received a warm ovation from the crowd Tuesday following a tribute video. “I obviously didn’t fully know what to expect. My first game was in Winnipeg and the White Out, so I think I probably got around close to the peak of it.”
Following the season, the Avalanche awarded him a three-year, $17.5 million contract as a restricted free agent.
Mittelstadt, 26, has struggled at times this season, compiling seven goals, 18 points and a clubhouse-leading minus-15 rating in 25 games entering Tuesday’s contest. He had a six-game point drought and just two points in his last 10 outings.
He acknowledged he had reached a stage in his career where he was ready to begin a new chapter. Having joined the Sabres late in 2017-18 following his freshman season at the University of Minnesota, he’s approaching the 400-game mark.
He said he understands the business side of being dealt and holds no hard feelings against the team that drafted him eighth overall in 2017.
“I kind of hit that point where I was a little older,” he said. “I really grew up in Buffalo. … Looking back on it all, I’ll cherish the friendships and the memories, especially the guys. I’ll be friends with them for life.”
Mittelstadt lived with his closest friend, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, for three seasons, often answering the Swede’s questions about the English language.
“He was the one teaching me English,” Dahlin said. “We have so many memories together. We spent so much time together, so we’re really good friends. There’s so much to say about him, honestly. I don’t have enough time, honestly. He’s just an unreal human being.”
Dahlin, 24, said facing Mittelstadt would be fun and “a little bit emotional.” The defenseman said he plans to hit his friend first.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Mittelstadt, who had dinner with some former teammates Monday night. “He’s dirty. No, just kidding. Hopefully that means I have the puck, so I’m happy if that’s the case.”
Notes: The Sabres scratched forwards Tyson Kozak (healthy), Sam Lafferty (lower body) and defenseman Dennis Gilbert (healthy) on Tuesday. … Winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s assist on linemate Beck Malenstyn’s first-period goal was his first point with the Sabres. … Former Rochester Americans assistant coach Toby Petersen is Colorado’s skills coach. … Bills running back Ray Davis banged the Sabres drum prior to the opening faceoff to rile up the crowd.