Patience, persistence have been Mittelstadt's combination for success

It's amazing what can change in a year.
Last season, Casey Mittelstadt was hampered by an upper-body injury that limited him to just 40 games. Mittelstadt suffered the injury on opening night, setting the tone for a season he'd like to forget.
The injury lingered all year. Surgery caused him to be out of the lineup for long stretches. His summer was spent rehabbing and trying to regain some semblance of normalcy.
This season?
"It's nice to have a little momentum going into next year," Mittelstadt said.

Mittelstadt has more than a little positive energy headed in the right direction. He finished the season on a tear, scoring points in six straight games and leading the Sabres with 17 points over the season's final 11 contests.

"Obviously when you're playing good and making plays, everything comes easy," Mittelstadt said.
But momentum can be finicky and fleeting and Mittelstadt wants to do what he can to keep the game flowing freely.
"I think the last few games here, it's felt like it's kind of been a good base of something I can fall back on even if I was struggling, to the point where I know what I can do and kind of settle things down," Mittelstadt said.
Health was his No. 1 priority when the puck dropped this season. Mittelstadt hadn't played more than 41 games since 2018-2019. Suiting up for all 82 this year is an accomplishment that he's not taking lightly, particularly because he was the only Sabre to do so.
"I understand injuries are part of the game at the same time, but I think doing things you can do to limit those and just keep moving forward," Mittelstadt. "Obviously, after last year it was nice to come back and play all the games."

The career year Mittelstadt posted is also not lost on him. The sixth-year pro tallied a career-high in goals (15) and assists (44). He proved his versatility by moving up and down the lineup, settling in alongside Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner for nine of the season's final ten games.
"I think we complement each other well," Mittelstadt said. "I think we're all a little different."
Those around Mittelstadt were not surprised by his production. Sabres coach Don Granato referred to Mittelstadt as the top-line center prior to injuries derailing his season in 2021-22. To see him work his way back was refreshing and to watch his production soar was reassuring.
"I think his whole focus and dedication, the first 30 games, was just on survival," Granato said. "Once he kicked in, I guess from that point, I saw him get into it and not fear that he might get injured and start opening, playing more relaxed, and more confidence came from that."
Mittelstadt settled in with Tuch and Skinner. Over the last ten games, their line averaged 10:28 of ice time and out-attempted their opponents 121-66 at 5-on-5. But he's quick to divert any praise for his late-season surge, similar in the way he distributes the puck to his linemates.
"Tuchy just does such a good job flying around and getting pucks back and such a unique player," Mittelstadt said. "Obviously Skinny just also such unique player, does a little bit everything. I just tried to fill in and find those guys and give them room."

Center is Mittelstadt's natural position, and he confesses he feels more comfortable in the middle of the ice. It's where he played in college in his lone season at the University of Minnesota, but he's the ultimate team player and has been amenable to playing anywhere in the lineup.
"I like making plays in the middle because I feel like I can see both sides of the ice well," Mittelstadt said. "I think maybe you're a little more involved at center at times so if you make a few good plays in a row maybe your confidence gets going a little bit."
Mittelstadt credits Tuch and Skinner for making life easy on him in the middle. But it hasn't always been so simple. He recalls a conversation he had with his dad during his struggles about perseverance. It centered around having the right attitude and being persistent.
Consistency can be king and showing up with the right mindset can go a long way towards fixing something that's amiss.
"I just keep coming to the rink and coming to work every day and working hard, and just try to keep persevering and getting through things," Mittelstadt said. "Keep a good mindset and nice positive attitude and keep the work ethic high, and usually good things come."
Part of that reassurance comes from his coach. Granato is as patient as they come. It comes with a demeanor that is direct and clear, but not overcritical.
"He's constantly reminding you he believes in you and he's got faith in you," Mittelstadt said. "I think you can watch a lot of video and do things like that but I think those statements go a long way and eventually things turned around. I was happy that I got to reward him back."
Mittelstadt felt it was important to show Granato and general manager Kevyn Adams what he and his teammates are capable of.
"I feel a big sense of loyalty to this place and the guys in this room," Mittelstadt said. "Some of these guys, we've had some dark days and to see where we're at now, I think we're all really proud and it makes us all want to stay here and be a part of it."
It took longer than he would have preferred, but the results are starting to show.
"It was big," Mittelstadt said. "I think more than anything, it was nice to do it in games that mattered."