Buffalo Loses Draft Lottery, Will Pick 2nd

Not even finishing in last place two years in a row was good enough to get the top pick in the NHL draft.  As a result of the NHL Draft Lottery conducted in Toronto on Saturday night, the Buffalo Sabres will pick second in the June draft and likely will end up with Boston University prospect Jack Eichel.

For the fourth time in six years the Edmonton Oilers will get the right to pick first overall and almost undoubtedly will take Connor McDavid, the player judged to be the best player to come along in more than a decade.  Interviewed immediately after the draft it appeared that McDavid was struggling to find the right words to say.  He almost looked upset.

With Eichel the Sabres are still getting a great hockey player.  In any other year Eichel would be the top pick.  But none of it becomes official until the draft is officially conducted June 26-27 in Sunrise, Florida.