Here we go – the 2018 NHL Entry Draft is finally here and it’s a pretty momentous one for the Buffalo Sabres, with it being the second for new General Manager Jason Botterill and Head Coach Phil Housley.
The Draft is being hosted by the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, with the first round being held today, and rounds two-seven tomorrow. Keep it here as we’ll be live-updating this post once the Draft gets started.
Click here to see the last Mock Draft we did, here is the SBN Mock Draft and T McGee’s Final Mock Draft as well.
How to Watch
Round One
Date: Friday June 22
Start time: 7:30 PM EST
TV: NBCSN (USA), Sportsnet & TVAS (Canada)
Online stream: NBCSports Live (coverage starts at 7:00pm)
Sabres Picks
The Sabres have seven picks in this year’s draft: R1 1st overall, R2 32nd overall, R4 94th overall, R4 117th overall, R5 125th overall, R6 156th overall & R7 187th overall.
Draft Order
1. Buffalo Sabres: RASMUS DAHLIN (D) FROLUNDA HC
2. Carolina Hurricanes: ANDREI SVECHNIKOV (RW) BARRIE COLTS
3. Montreal Canadiens: JESPERI KOTKANIEMI (C) ASSAT PORI
4. Ottawa Senators: BRADY TKACHUK (LW) BOSTON UNIVERSITY
5. Arizona Coyotes: BARRETT HAYTON (C) SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS
6. Detroit Red Wings: FILIP ZADINA (RW) HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS
7. Vancouver Canucks: QUINN HUGHES (D) MICHIGAN
8. Chicago Blackhawks: ADAM BOQVIST (D) BYRNAS JR.
9. New York Rangers: VITALY KRAVTSOV (RW) CHELYABINSK TRAKTOR
10. Edmonton Oilers: EVAN BOUCHARD (D) LONDON KNIGHTS
11. New York Islanders: OLIVER WAHLSTROM (RW) US U-18
12. New York Islanders: NOAH DOBSON (D) ACADIE-BATHURST
13. Dallas Stars: TY DELLANDREA (C) FLINT THUNDERBIRDS
14. Philadelphia Flyers: JOEL FARABEE (LW) USA U-18
15. Florida Panthers: GRIGORI DENISENKO (LW) YAROSLAVL 2
16. Colorado Avalanche: MARTIN KAUT (RW) PARDUBICE
17. New Jersey Devils: TY SMITH (D) SPOKANE
18. Columbus Blue Jackets: LIAM FOUDY (C) LONDON
19. Philadelphia Flyers: JAY O’BRIEN (C) THAYER ACADEMY
20. Los Angeles Kings: RASMUS KUPARI (C) KARPAT
21. San Jose Sharks: RYAN MERKLEY (D) GUELPH
22. New York Rangers: K’ANDRE MILLER (D) US U-18
23. Anaheim Ducks: ISAC LUNDESTROM (LW) LULEA
24. Minnesota Wild: FILIP JOHANSSON (D) LEKSAND JR
25. St. Louis Blues: DOMINIK BOKK (RW) VAXJO JR.
26. Ottawa Senators: JACOB BERNARD-DOCKER (D) OKOTOKS
27. Chicago Blackhawks: NICOLAS BEAUDIN (D) DRUMMONDVILLE
28. New York Rangers: NILS LUNDKVIST (D) LULEA
29. Toronto Maple Leafs: RASMUS SANDIN (D) SAULT STE. MARIE
30. Detroit Red Wings: JOSEPH VELENO (C) DRUMMONDVILLE
31. Washington Capitals: ALEXANDER ALEXEYEV (D) RED DEER
10:55 pm – The first round has concluded. Big name prospects remain with the Buffalo Sabres owning the 32nd pick, the first to be made on Saturday. Thanks for joining us through the first round!
With Akil Thomas, Bode Wilde, Serron Noel and Jacob Olofsson still on the board, Round Two is going to very interesting tomorrow. #NHLDraft
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) June 23, 2018
10:49pm – The dam is waiting to break.
A few GM’s on the Draft floor believe many of the trade possibilities have been stalled in waiting on Tavares and Kovalchuk decisions.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 23, 2018
10:47pm
Good looks in the blue & gold, @rasmusdahlin00. 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/ysSeFUpqHF
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 23, 2018
10:46pm
Leafs take Rasmus Sandin – that’s the 3rd Rasmus taken in the 1st round. A new Rasmus record.
— David Amber (@DavidAmber) June 23, 2018
10:32pm
Rasmus Dahlin said his mom will move to #Buffalo with him. #FamilyGoals #Sabres
— Greg Vorse TV (@GregVorse) June 23, 2018
10:31pm – A lighthearted video to give you a laugh.
With the Penguins’ non-existent 1st round pick, Assistant GM Bill Guerin would like to select a salami and cheese sandwich. pic.twitter.com/RcIZYhVzWr
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 23, 2018
10:18pm
Leafs and Blues make a trade. Leafs send 25 to St Louis for picks 29 and 76.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 23, 2018
10:14pm
TOR/STL trade
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 23, 2018
10:14pm
A message from @rasmusdahlin00 to you, Buffalo! pic.twitter.com/dRz6GpGUBr
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 23, 2018
10:13pm
The top picks sign the autograph board before taking their draft photo. pic.twitter.com/e4UuukTFzi
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 23, 2018
10:02pm – This is a quality tweet.
The Sabres new 3rd jersey is awesome!!!! pic.twitter.com/5RlOyO7GZD
— x-Kimberly (@kim_chi) June 23, 2018
9:56pm – Trade details for the hungry.
TRADE:
To #Rangers:
2018 1st RD pick (22nd)To #Senators:
2018 1st RD pick (26th)
2018 2nd RD pick (48th)https://t.co/pOmLyOX15A— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 23, 2018
9:53pm – TRADES!
It is not a Sabres trade but a trade is a trade. That is what they taught me in sports school.
Ottawa. Trading the 22nd pick with NYR.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) June 23, 2018
9:52pm – In case you missed it.
Congrats to @rasmusdahlin00 on being selected first overall to the @BuffaloSabres.
Welcome to Buffalo! 🙌 #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/0UdpAQJRSS
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) June 22, 2018
9:42pm
One proud family. 🙌💙💛🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/pgyI38TkOG
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 23, 2018
9:15pm
Incoming call from…@Jackeichel15! 📞 pic.twitter.com/uqshxYIu4e
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 23, 2018
9:14pm
Certainly a night to remember. pic.twitter.com/NaCV5u7DX8
— Just Dishin® (@JustDishin) June 23, 2018
9:05pm
DAHLIN
1️⃣8️⃣ pic.twitter.com/wJU8USL5Ep— Frölunda HC (@frolunda_hc) June 23, 2018
8:59pm
Sabres fans chanting “No Goal” while the Stars are on the stage.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 23, 2018
8:53pm – Rumors!
A little off the trade floor discussion between Jason Botterill and Doug Armstrong. Blues pick at No. 29 🤔
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 23, 2018
8:38pm
Welcome to the family !@rasmusdahlin00 pic.twitter.com/CpGrc8Kr2y
— Kim Pegula (@KimPegula) June 23, 2018
8:36pm
Rasmus Dahlin said he wants to go to Buffalo and play for the Sabres right away. pic.twitter.com/gi3HlhLz2l
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 23, 2018
8:26pm
Things have calmed down for the Buffalo Sabres. Trade talk appears to be non-existent. We’ll see what happens from here.
8:20pm
“I love to call my new town Buffalo.” pic.twitter.com/5R2sqD6PlG
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 23, 2018
8:16pm – Dahlin meets with the media.
It’s amazing to have this jersey on, I love that city. — #Sabres Rasmus Dahlin. pic.twitter.com/Do7KpqECzI
— Greg Vorse TV (@GregVorse) June 23, 2018
8:14pm – Phil!
I’d like to welcome the newest member of the Buffalo Sabres, the #1 pick at the @2018nhldraft @rasmusdahlin00 to our organization! pic.twitter.com/WvN2FQSmuP
— Phil Housley (@philhousley6) June 23, 2018
8:11pm – More congratulations rolling in.
Congratulations and welcome to Buffalo, @rasmusdahlin00! pic.twitter.com/68xwOvw5Ly
— Buffalo Bandits (@NLLBandits) June 23, 2018
8:07pm – Family is everything.
“It is perfect,” Rasmus Dahlin’s father, Martin, tells @TheAthleticBUF about his son joining the Sabres. He senses a family atmosphere with the organization. “We got the feeling right away.”
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) June 23, 2018
8:06pm – More stories are rolling in.
Sportsnet shows recorded message from Sundin to Dahlin. Mats tells Rasmus: “Welcome to the National Hockey League … WE are No. 1!” Dahlin at loss for words. “I’m overcome with emotion at seeing that.” Mats only other Swede to go No. 1, that in 1989. #sabres
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) June 22, 2018
8:02pm – We are ready for Dahlin.
Premiering this fall at a rink near you…
Rasmus Dahlin. pic.twitter.com/NPvVWQX6EY— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 23, 2018
8:00pm – NHL19 with the first look at Dahlin.
And the 1st overall pick at the #NHLDraft is Rasmus Dahlin! #NHL19 pic.twitter.com/WdJtHDB3Sg
— #NHL19 (@EASPORTSNHL) June 22, 2018
7:59pm – From one first rounder to another.
Welcome to Buffalo @rasmusdahlin00! Can’t wait to watch you play, wings on me later this summer. #LetsGoBuffalo
Is #SabresMafia a thing? It is now.— Josh Allen (@JoshAllenQB) June 22, 2018
7:53pm – First looks at Dahlin in blue and gold.
Rasmus Dahlin is a Buffalo Sabre. pic.twitter.com/DdrsFutuTG
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) June 22, 2018
7:51pm
#Sabres Rasmus Dahlin becomes the 8th European in history to be selected 1st overall in the #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/zWcvlUUdZy
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 22, 2018
7:50pm – Let the future begin.
RASMUS DAHLIN IS A BUFFALO SABRE! pic.twitter.com/2j7qGQin38
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 22, 2018
7:48pm – Again, hello!
Buffalo fans in Dallas are hyped. pic.twitter.com/OmfqwhXKu0
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) June 22, 2018
7:47pm – Buffalo is well represented tonight.
Some serious #Sabres fans chanting “Let’s Go Buffalo!” in anticipation of the Rasmus Dahlin first overall selection.#FiredUp
— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) June 22, 2018
7:46pm – 🙂
Sabres on the clock.
— Bill Hoppe (@BillHoppeNHL) June 22, 2018
7:40pm – A great tribute to Humboldt .
Bettman announces Humboldt Broncos as recipient of 2018 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence. Standing ovation here, among everyone on the draft floor and in teh stands.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 22, 2018
7:38pm – We takin’ over, one city at a time.
#Bills shout song breaks out in section 108 🔥🔥🔥
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) June 22, 2018
7:37pm – It’s time!
The Buffalo Sabres are on the clock!
— Anaheim Calling (@AnaheimCalling) June 22, 2018
7:36pm – We’ve got timely references.
In the spirit of @wojespn, the Buffalo Sabres are enamoured with Rasmus Dahlin at No. 1.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 22, 2018
7:34pm – The official quote from the NBCSN broadcast.
Dreger: “Marc Bergevin continues to look for a center. He did not want to give up the third pick overall to the Buffalo #Sabres for Ryan O’Reilly, so the search continues.” #Habs NBCSN
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) June 22, 2018
7:32pm – No MTL/BUF deal for 3rd overall pick. Move along.
7:30pm – NBCSN has a clock that has the draft starting around 7:38pm.
7:21pm – Dahlin already fitting in just fine.
Rasmus Dahlin rocking a Bills cap in this interview. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/LVxp35n8oa
— NHL Prospects Watcher (@Prospects_Watch) June 22, 2018
7:19pm – Roll call is complete. Let’s draft.
Roll call done. Everybody made it again
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 22, 2018
7:13pm – Nothing but gamesmanship at this point.
Friedman asked Bergevin: “You had a lengthy conversation with Jason Botterill, is there anything going on with Buffalo?”
MB answered: “We were talking about the combine and what a nice set up it was, talking about how we should come back next year *smiles*”
— NHL Prospects Watcher (@Prospects_Watch) June 22, 2018
7:09pm – Tie that tie!
He better get his gap control sorted before next season…
Ras-mess! 🙃 pic.twitter.com/50UUUGXCpt
— The Knot-thletic NHL (@_iceties) June 22, 2018
7:00pm – Deals!
- No movement for Buffalo yet but maybe this Colorado / Washington trade will unthaw things: COL gets Brooks Orpik, Philipp Grubauer, WAS gets 2018 2nd-Round pick./
6:45pm – Some pre-Draft interview coverage.
Potential first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin met with Sabres.com’s Brian Duff earlier.
What made him into the hockey player he is today?@duffersabres’ exclusive 1-on-1 sitdown with Rasmus Dahlin. pic.twitter.com/niTvo03ifj
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 22, 2018
6:30pm – Life comes at you fast.
If you feel like crying, the majority of players about to be drafted were born in 2000.
— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) June 22, 2018
6:20pm – Radio silence.
We are starting to see a little more activity on the draft floor but no news as of yet. Stay tuned.
5:50pm – Dahlin looks ready.
Rasmus Dahlin & his younger sister Ella patiently wait for the start of the #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/Ez69bLZcdJ
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) June 22, 2018
5:30pm – Update
Plenty of trade rumors and chatter, but nothing so far. Ryan O’Reilly is a prominent name that comes up, as do Max Pacioretty and Jeff Skinner. Per TSN –
The Buffalo Sabres are willing to trade centre Ryan O’Reilly, but their ideal return appears to be a second top-five pick in tonight’s draft… the Sabres are happy to keep the 27-year-old if their ask isn’t met.
There was also rumors coming out of Chi-town that the Sabres were interested in Corey Crawford, but it’s been quiet on that front too.