It’s the second-to-last weekend of June and the NHL Awards just happened, which could only mean one thing.. it’s time for the 2018 NHL Draft and Buffalo Sabres fans don’t have to be (kinda) ashamed of (kinda) tanking because IT GOT US THE #1 PICK FINALLY!
Ladies and gentlemen of Buffalo, mark down June 22nd, 2018 on your calendars as the momentous day the Sabres changed their sporting fortunes forever. We hold the top pick and unless something absolutely drastic (and terrible) happens, Buffalo should be welcoming Rasmus Dahlin to this city we hold so dear to our hearts.
Tonight will feature 31 first round picks, and it will end up taking an inordinately long amount of time, followed by Rounds 2-7 tomorrow, which will then go by so fast you’ll be hitting refresh on the Open Thread every couple of minutes.
The Draft is being hosted by the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
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)
Rounds Two to Seven
Date: Saturday, June 23
Start time: 11:00 AM EST
TV: NHL Network (USA), Sportsnet & TVAS (Canada)
Online stream: Maybe NHL.com? ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Join us at 5pm for our open thread, and let’s chat about what the Sabres will do after the first pick, if you think this rumoured trade with Montreal will happen, whether we circle back into the first round and more.
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.
Just one more sleep away from the big moment.
Here’s the latest from Dallas. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/tMheGhyiIN
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 22, 2018
Draft Order
Round One
1. Buffalo Sabres
2. Carolina Hurricanes
3. Montreal Canadiens
4. Ottawa Senators (optional to COL)
5. Arizona Coyotes
6. Detroit Red Wings
7. Vancouver Canucks
8. Chicago Blackhawks
9. New York Rangers
10. Edmonton Oilers
11. New York Islanders
12. New York Islanders (from CGY)
13. Dallas Stars
14. Philadelphia Flyers (from STL)
15. Florida Panthers
16. Colorado Avalanche
17. New Jersey Devils
18. Columbus Blue Jackets
19. Philadelphia Flyers
20. Los Angeles Kings
21. San Jose Sharks
22. Ottawa Senators (from PIT)
23. Anaheim Ducks
24. Minnesota Wild
25. Toronto Maple Leafs
26. New York Rangers (from BOS)
27. Chicago Blackhawks (from NSH)
28. New York Rangers (from TBL)
29. St. Louis Blues (from WPG)
30. Detroit Red Wings (from VGK)
31. Washington Capitals
Odds
How many words does Jason Botterill aka GMBot say?
Over/Under 20
How Many Trades will there be the First Day of the Draft?
Over/Under 8.5
How many Defensemen will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over/Under 12
How many Forwards will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over/Under 19
How many Goaltenders will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over/Under 0.5