The 2014 Draft Lottery is in the books, and the Buffalo Sabres…did not win. That honor went to the team with the second best odds, the Florida Panthers.
The Sabres will hold the #2 overall selection in the draft, and will still draft a very, very fine prospect in that slot. We don’t know much about Florida’s plans at this point, but Sabres GM Tim Murray has stated repeatedly (and again on the TSN broadcast tonight) that he will draft the best player available regardless of position. Let the speculation begin now.
We’ll also keep an eye on the New York Islanders, who own the #5 pick, but have to give the Sabres one of their next two first round picks. They have until June 1 to decide, but said tonight they haven’t made a decision yet one way or the other.
The order for the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft now looks like this:
1. Florida Panthers
2. Buffalo Sabres
5. New York Islanders
10. Anaheim Ducks (from Ottawa Senators)
12. Phoenix Coyotes
……