Sabres preaching development, not evaluation, at Day 1 of camp

First impressions are always abound on the first day of summer development camp. First-year attendees are looking to vindicate management for drafting them, while other players are looking to show the growth they've experienced over the past year.
With new management and a new coaching staff running this year's camp, however, the first impressions work both ways. At the conclusion of Day 1, the players seemed to like what they've seen and heard.
"You get kind of the vibe of what they're looking for," forward Hudson Fasching said. "I think they're trying to keep it fun. Having guys with a lot of passion out there, playing hard, keeping it lighter, try to keep a positive attitude going at all times."

Positivity was one of the first characteristics mentioned by multiple players who were asked to describe the first day of camp, with coaches and management making a concerted effort to keep the players loose and relaxed. It helps that the on-ice sessions are being run by new Rochester Americans coach Chris Taylor, who assistant general manager Randy Sexton called "one of the most positive professionals" he's ever been around.
More than anything, management looked to convey to the prospects that they were here for development, not evaluation.
"Clearly, the word 'development' is strategic to us," Sexton said. "It truly is about development, and only a small part of it is about what happens on the ice. More importantly, it's what happens off the ice. I think Jason Long and his staff have put together a very good program, and that was Jason Botterill's message to the kids today.
"The on-ice is only one part. The more important part - and the part we're really watching for - is how do you handle yourself off the ice? How do you take advantage of all the incredible resources we have here to help you help yourself be better? That's really the focus of this camp. It's not about stops and starts or bag skates. It's about helping each of these young players access the resources they need to be as good as they're capable of becoming."
With three days remaining, the tone has been set.
"It's been great," forward Nicholas Baptiste said. "[General manager Jason] Botterill's been great, [coach Phil] Housley's been great. "They've talked about how they want to play, and just the mood here is pretty upbeat and happy. You can tell the direction we're going to go in, Buffalo and Rochester. It's pretty positive.
Here are some more takeaways from Day 1 of camp

Guhle is thrilled to be playing for Housley

The similarities are obvious. Housley is one of the most prolific scoring defensemen in NHL history, while Brendan Guhle is a highly-touted defensive prospect who displayed a penchant for joining the rush and adding offense during a short stint in Buffalo last season.
Clearly, Guhle sees an opportunity to learn from the new coach of the Sabres, as his face lit up when he was asked about his initial reaction to the hiring.
"I was … not relieved, but pretty excited," he said. "Maybe it could benefit me possibly. You know the way he coached the players in Nashville, they're all smart and they're all good offensively. I'm sure he could teach me a lot."

Players have bulked up

Guhle was one of a handful of players who have already added size this summer, along with Justin Bailey and Alexander Nylander. Guhle said he's already closing in on 200 pounds, which was the mark he hoped to reach by training camp.
Bailey, meanwhile, is up over 215.
"Being a bigger player, last year, there were times where I would beat a guy, but maybe I'd get nudged a little bit and get knocked off my skates," he said. "I'm focusing on bulking up, but also keeping that speed that separates me from other guys."

Mittelstadt is rooming with another Minnesota guy

Casey Mittelstadt will begin his NCAA career at the University of Minnesota next season, and he's been paired with a Minnesota alum in Fasching. The two players didn't know each other outside of a few skates and conversations in the weight room, but Mittelstadt - a lifelong Gophers fan - watched Fasching during his collegiate career.
"It's cool to have that," Fasching said. "He seems like a great kid, has a great work ethic. I'm looking forward to playing with him."

Pu is excited for World Junior chance

One Sabres prospect we may see in Buffalo when the World Junior Championship comes to town in December is forward Cliff Pu, who received an invitation to Canada's World Junior camp later this summer.
Pu actually didn't even know that next year's tournament is in Buffalo, but he sounded excited to find out.
"Any time you get a chance to represent your country, it's an honor," he said. "I'm sure every kid would say that but it's true. World Juniors, every Canadian kid watches growing up so it'd be a huge honor playing here and it'd just be an extra bonus point in front of Buffalo fans."