Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres didn’t win the NHL Draft Lottery on Monday, which would have allowed them to move up to No. 3 overall if they had the luck of the draw.
That means the Sabres will remain at 13th overall in the Round 1 draft order, which marks the seventh time in franchise history they will pick No. 13.
The Chicago Blackhawks moved up two spots in the draft order after winning the first overall pick, and will get the chance to draft Connor Bedard.
The Anaheim Ducks dropped one spot to No. 2, while the Columbus Blue Jackets went from second overall to third.
This is the first time in 12 years the Sabres have drafted lower than 12th overall. In that time, Buffalo has drafted No. 1 twice, No. 2 twice, No. 7 once, No. 8 four times, No. 9 once and No. 12 once.
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The other players the Sabres have taken with the 13th pick are:
- Zack Kassian - 2009
- Marek Zagrapan - 2005
- Drew Stafford - 2004
- Philippe Boucher - 1991
- Joel Savage - 1988
- Larry Playfair - 1978
This is only the second time Chicago has had the first overall pick. The other time was in 2007 when they took Buffalo’s own Pat Kane.
The 2023 NHL Draft is set to get underway on Wednesday, June 28 for Round 1, followed by Rounds 2-7 on Thursday, June 29 in Nashville.
The NHL Awards used to be in Las Vegas, Vancouver and Toronto, but this year, they, too, are in Nashville on June 26. The only Sabres player up for an award this year is defenseman Owen Power, who has been named a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie.
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