The Sabres stayed exactly where they were projected to pick before the lottery and will pick eighth overall in this year’s draft. It’s the same spot the Sabres picked Rasmus Ristolainen in the 2013 draft, the last time the Sabres picked outside the top two.
Toronto got the good fortune that the Sabres didn’t the past two years, finishing 30th and winning the lottery. The Maple Leafs will most likely draft Auston Matthews, making for quite the rivalry between him and Jack Eichel over the next 10-15 years. The Maple Leafs had a 20 percent chance of winning.
The Winnipeg Jets will pick second in the draft and the Columbus Blue Jackets will pick third.
Buffalo is hosting the 2016 NHL Draft, which will take place from June 24-25.