Buffalo Sabres Sign RFA Forward

The Buffalo Sabres have announced they have signed forward Casey Mittelstadt to a one-year deal worth $874,125. 

The 22-year-old Mittelstadt is coming off and up and down season where he played 31 games in the NHL and 36 games in the AHL. The Sabres are hoping this year is the year Mittelstadt can make the jump to a full-time top-9 forward in the league. The American forward was a former 8th overall pick, so he's hovering on the line of bust if he doesn't produce soon.

This deal is essentially Mittelstadt waiting it out but in the end accepting his qualifying offer. 

In 114 career NHL games the Minnesota native has only 39 points. The former 8th overall pick will need to showcase his skills this upcoming season as he's hovering on the line of a draft bust if he doesn't produce soon.

Photo credit: : Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire