Casey Mittelstadt: 1st round (#8), 2017
After being drafted by the Sabres with their 1st round pick in the 2017 Draft, Mittelstadt entered his freshman season with perhaps the most hype of a top draft pick in years, besides Jack Eichel. He has not disappointed thus far, becoming a key player for Minnesota’s 9-3 start to the year. In 17 games played, he has earned nine points (five goals, 10 assists), averaging nearly a point per game and has added to the hype surrounding him thus far.
Rasmus Asplund: 2nd round (#33), 2016
After getting drafted by the Sabres in the second round of the 2016 Draft, Asplund has been a nice prospect to follow for the last two years in the SHL. Chosen with the pick from the Kulikov trade with the Panthers, Asplund is the only positive looking back on that deal. Coming off his sophomore season where he earned 19 points (6 G+13 A) in 39 games played, the Sabres’ second-round pick has earned nine points (four goals, 11 assists) in 25 games thus far and is currently ranked in the league’s top 50 in points.
Cliff Pu: 3rd round (#69), 2016
Following a successful year for the OHL’s London Knights, in which he earned 86 points (35 goals, 51 assists) in 63 games, Pu struggled to start this year with the same success, scoring one goal for six points in his first 11 games, but his play has stepped up since signing his entry-level deal on October 23. In the seven games that have followed, he’s earned 11 points, with four goals and seven assists. Pu has stepped up, currently with 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 26 games, and working to return to the level he reached last season.
Vasily Glotov: 7th round (#190), 2016
Drafted in the seventh round by the Sabres in 2016, Glotov has gotten off to a hot start in the QMJHL for the Shawnigan Cataractes, despite winning only two of their last five games. After a season which saw Glotov earn 50 points in 64 games for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and has stepped up this year, with 17 points (12 goals, five assists) in 25 games thus far for the Shawinigan Cataractes despite his team’s early struggles.
Brendan Guhle: 2nd round (#51), 2015
After a successful junior career which concluded last season, the highly-touted defenseman has begun his professional career with Rochester. After a slow start that saw him earn only one assist in his first five games to open the season, Guhle’s been on a tear lately. As a result, he has made a strong case to be called up to play for the Sabres very soon. However, his strong play (14 points in 21 games), helps illustrate the need for Guhle to continue development in Rochester going forward.