Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Just about 24 hours before the start of the 2024 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have swapped draft picks to move down the board, while accruing some value in Day 2 of the draft.
The Sabres announced Thursday afternoon the trade of the 11th overall pick in Round 1 to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 14th overall selection, as well as the 42nd overall pick in Round 2 of the draft.
The last player the Sabres drafted with the 14th pick was forward Isak Rosen in the 2021 NHL Draft. Rosen has gotten a small taste of the NHL, to this point, with the Sabres, appearing in seven games.
However, the 21-year-old has performed well in his time in the AHL with the Rochester Americans, amassing 87 points (34+53) in 133 games played over two seasons.
Another notable recent pick with the 14th overall selection was forward Zemgus Girgensons back in 2012. Girgensons has spent his entirety of his career, to this point, with Buffalo, playing 688 games and putting up 188 points (89+99).
The Sabres now have an additional pick to work with on Day 2 of the draft, as they will have back-to-back picks at No. 42 and 43.
As for the Sharks, they move up to now own two selections in the top-11 picks of the first round. San Jose was the winners of the NHL Draft Lottery last month and are expected to select center Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick on Friday.
WGR’s draft coverage will begin Friday at 7 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol and Brayton Wilson, with Paul Hamilton covering the draft live from Las Vegas.
