Reinhart and Rodrigues, meanwhile, have both spoken this season about their comfort playing alongside one another. They've posted a 54.05 Corsi-for percentage in 77:13 together at 5-on-5, and they'll have a rookie aiming to prove himself on their left wing in Smith.
Smith scored a goal on eight shots during his four-game stint with the Sabres in January. The NHL roster got healthy, and he was sent back to Rochester with the directive to stick to his game. He scored a hat trick as part of a four-point, seven shot outing for Rochester in Toronto the following night, then tallied points in six of the next seven games.
"I'm not going to sulk on anything or quit on anything, especially the guys down in Rochester, too," he said. "I'm really close with them and really like the coaching staff, so it wasn't going to affect who I am or my personality at all.
"I just went back with a lot of confidence. I think it kind of showed in my game down there, too."
Smith has 41 points in 41 AHL games this season, which leads the Amerks.
"He deserves a shot to get back and an opportunity," Housley said. "I like what he brings - the spark and the speed and the skill."
The Sabres have six games left on their current homestand, which continues with a visit from the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. After that, it's a date with the Carolina Hurricanes - a team they're tied with in the standings - on Thursday.
"Obviously, we've got to play better," Mittelstadt said. "Sometimes shaking things up helps, you find some new chemistry. I think everyone's excited."