Good things can happen to the Buffalo Sabres it appears. After striking out twice in the previous four years with the best odds at the top pick, the Sabres won the 2018 NHL Draft Lottery.
They’ll select first overall in the upcoming draft in June that is taking place in Dallas. The rest of the top three is filled out by the Carolina Hurricanes who will pick second and Montreal Canadiens who will pick third overall.
The Sabres and Jason Botterill will very likely have the honor of selecting defenseman Rasmus Dahlin out of Sweden. He’s the hands-down top pick in the draft and is exactly the type of player that the franchise needs to be the guy on the blue line.
The 6’3” defender has excellent offensive upside but is also very solid in his own end of the ice. He’ll generate offense and lead the rush up the ice.
Exciting times ahead for the Sabres. Here is the full top 15 draft order with tonight’s results:
1. Buffalo Sabres
2. Carolina Hurricanes
3. Montreal Canadiens
4. Ottawa Senators
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 Calgary Flames)
13. Dallas Stars
14. Philadelphia Flyers (from St. Louis Blues)
15. Florida Panthers