Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The NHL Draft Lottery stayed true to form, as the two teams with the best odds to win the top-two picks in the 2024 NHL Draft won. It’s the first time since 2010 this scenario has played out.
As a result, the Buffalo Sabres will remain with the 11th overall selection.
This will mark the sixth time in franchise history the Sabres will draft 11th overall. The other times were:
- 2002: Keith Ballard - Defense
- 1992: David Cooper - Defense
- 1983: Adam Creighton - Center
- 1979: Mike Ramsey - Defense
- 1974: Lee Fogolin - Defense
For the most part, the 11th overall pick hasn’t been a real good one in NHL Draft history.
I looked back over the last 25 years of the draft, and, arguably, the best picks were in 2005 when the Los Angeles Kings took Anze Kopitar, 2003 when the Philadelphia Flyers took Jeff Carter, and 2012 when the Washington Capitals took Filip Forsberg (before trading him to the Nashville Predators).
Other players that have turned out OK with the 11th overall pick include:
- 2017: Gabe Vilardi - Center - Los Angeles Kings
- 2015: Lawson Crouse - Left wing - Florida Panthers
- 2014: Kevin Fiala - Left wing - Nashville Predators
- 2009: Ryan Ellis - Defense - Nashville Predators
- 2006: Jonathan Bernier - Goalie - Los Angeles Kings
If I were general manager Kevyn Adams, I would be doing everything I could to trade the pick for a top-six forward. If he could acquire a good center, I think Dylan Cozens could move to the left wing, where he thrived two years ago for Team Canada at the World Championship.
Buffalo already has some top-end prospects, and Adams told Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase on Tuesday that the time is now, and he’d be willing to trade some young assets for good players.
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Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks get the first overall pick, and will likely select center Macklin Celebrini with that pick atop the NHL Draft. Celebrini won the Hobey Baker Award this past season as college hockey's best player, becoming the youngest player to ever do so at the age of 17.
As for the second overall pick, it will remain with the Chicago Blackhawks, who last year won the No. 1 overall pick and selected center Connor Bedard.
Last year saw San Jose draft fourth overall, where they took center Will Smith, who just finished his Freshman season at Boston College, scoring 25 goals and 46 assists for 71 points in just 41 games.
The 2024 NHL Draft starts on Friday, June 28 with Round 1 coverage in Las Vegas. Rounds 2-7 will follow the day after on Saturday, June 29.
