The Buffalo Sabres are in the midst of a rebuild and will attempt to build a Stanley Cup-caliber roster through the draft with a surplus of picks.
Buffalo hockey fans might be able to watch the process unfold first hand because according to multiple reports, the Sabres will host the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The story was first reported by John Vogl of The Buffalo News.
The NHL has not made a formal announcement on the location of the 2016 draft. Buffalo hosted the 2015 NHL Combine and will do so again in 2016.
Buffalo hasn’t hosted the draft since 1998. Vincent Lecavalier was selected No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning, and six years later he would help them win their first championship.
Aside from the Lecavalier pick, the 1998 draft wasn’t very strong. The best player from this draft was Pavel Datsyuk, who was taken 171st overall (sixth round) by the Detroit Red Wings.
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The 2015 draft will be hosted by the Florida Panthers in June. There is speculation that the 2017 draft will be held in Toronto as part of the Maple Leafs’ 100th anniversary.
