Alexander Holtz could be available when the Sabres pick. ©2020, Lucas Chudleigh, Apollo Multimedia

Sabres move back one spot in NHL Draft Lottery, set to pick eighth

For the fourth time in the last eight years, the Buffalo Sabres will have the eighth overall pick in the NHL Draft.

The Sabres had just a 6.5% chance for the top pick, the seventh-highest odds in tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery.

So who won the lottery and the right to select ultra-talent winger Alexis Lafreniere? Well, no one did.

A placeholder was chosen in the first spot, meaning another draw will take place at a later date. The eight teams that don’t advance from the playoff qualifying round the NHL plans to hold later this summer will each have 12.5% odds for the No. 1 pick.

This is the eighth straight year the Sabres have a pick in the top eight.

Last year, the Sabres owned the fifth-highest odds and moved back to the seventh pick, which they used to draft center Dylan Cozens.

The Sabres have selected defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (2013), forward Alexander Nylander (2016) and center Casey Mittelstadt (2017) eighth overall.

The early draft order determined tonight:

1. Placeholder team

2. Los Angeles Kings

3. Ottawa Senators (from San Jose Sharks)

4. Detroit Red Wings

5. Ottawa Senators

6. Anaheim Ducks

7. New Jersey Devils

8. Buffalo Sabres

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