Like Mittelstadt, Eichel and Reinhart were both teenagers when they began their NHL careers. That, combined with their high draft status and the expectations that come with it, puts them in position to empathize with the 19-year-old forward.
"I just want to be here for him," Eichel said. "I was in a similar situation a few years ago, Sam as well, with coming in at a pretty young age. But we have a lot in common. It was good. We were able to get to know each other a little bit yesterday. … I think that that's important."
Reinhart practiced on a line with Mittelstadt at center and Evan Rodrigues on the opposite wing. He said he watched Mittelstadt play on television during the World Junior Championship and took notice of the way he created space with his speed and demanded the puck. He saw those qualities in person on Wednesday.
"I'm excited for the opportunity," Reinhart said. "I know what he's going through. It's an exciting time for him and for me to be a part of it. Hopefully we can go out tomorrow, have some fun and make some plays because I got to see it firsthand today and see the speed and skill he possesses."
Phil Housley, too, began his playing career with the Sabres at 18, and like Mittelstadt he cut his teeth playing high school hockey in Minnesota. Housley credited veterans on the team such as Mike Ramsey and Lindy Ruff with making him feel at home, particularly during training camp.
"That's the nerves, coming into a new team, just feeling comfortable and just trying to find your way through," Housley said. "After the exhibition games, the guys made me feel more and more comfortable and part of the team.
"That's going to be big for Casey, that our guys still reach out, especially our leadership group, and make him feel comfortable."
Housley said he was impressed with the pace that Mittelstadt brought to practice on Wednesday. The coach placed him on the team's second power-play unit along with Rodrigues, Jason Pominville, Nicholas Baptiste and Marco Scandella, with Brendan Guhle rotating in as well.
Still, Housley tried to temper expectations, cautioning that Mittelstadt hasn't played in an actual game since the University of Minnesota's season ended on March 3.
"He was practicing a lot with his old team," Housley said. "It never simulates a game, but I liked that he was getting used to the speed of the practice, getting comfortable in that situation, just trying to get through the drills, learning the systems, having a lot of things thrown at him today."
