As the NHL gets set for a night of Second Round playoff action, the 2021 NHL Draft Lottery was held before the games tonight. The Seattle Kraken came away with the second overall pick, while the Buffalo Sabres won tonight’s grand prize. They’ll pick first overall at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Draft will be conducted remotely, with Round One happening on July 23, 2021.
Buffalo Sabres Get First Overall Pick
With the addition of a new face to the NHL next season, there are now 16 teams missing the playoffs. As no picks have been dealt away by non-playoff teams, the draft order currently stands as follows:
1.) Buffalo Sabres
2.) Seattle Kraken
3.) Anaheim Ducks
4.) New Jersey Devils
5.) Columbus Blue Jackets
6.) Detroit Red Wings
7.) San Jose Sharks
8.) Los Angeles Kings
9.) Vancouver Canucks
10.) Ottawa Senators
11.) Arizona Coyotes (pick forfeited)
12.) Chicago Blackhawks
13.) Calgary Flames
14.) Philadelphia Flyers
15.) Dallas Stars
16.) New York Rangers
The consensus first-overall pick this year appears to be University of Michigan defenceman Owen Power, but without a clear superstar at the top of the draft, it could very well be a different name. Power would be a wise choice, though. Extremely skilled and agile for his size, the 6′ 5″ defenceman racked up 16 points in 26 games during his freshman season. Power also isn’t looking entirely out of place at the IIHF World Championships, with three assists in seven games for Team Canada.
Other top-of-the-draft selections could include centre Matthew Beniers, a Michigan teammate of Power’s. Teams more inclined for a right-shot defenceman could take a look at Brandt Clarke, who played this year in the top Slovakian league after the OHL never resumed play. Dylan Guenther and William Eklund could be options for teams looking for help on the wings, while Jesper Wallstedt could command a top-ten or higher selection as the draft’s top-ranked goaltender.
The 2021 NHL Draft will take place over the course of two days in late July, shortly after the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft being held for the Kraken.
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Embed from Getty Images
