Buffalo Sabres win No. 1 pick in 2021 NHL Draft lottery

The 2021 NHL Draft Lottery was held on Wednesday night and the Buffalo Sabres were awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Sabres had the best odds to be awarded the first pick in the draft, which will take place from July 23-24.

The expansion Seattle Kraken will select second overall in their inaugural draft. The expansion draft will take place on July 21 prior to the 2021 draft. The Kraken were given the third-best odds to win the lottery heading into their first season in the NHL in 2021-22.

Michigan defenseman Owen Power is expected to be one of the players likely to go No. 1 overall in 2021. The 6-foot-5, 18-year-old is coming off 16 points in 26 games as a freshman for the Wolverines this past season. Power, who is from Ontario, is No. 1 ranked skater among North American prospects heading into the draft.

Here’s the full lottery order after the drawing on Wednesday night.

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. Chicago Blackhawks
12. Calgary Flames
13. Philadelphia Flyers
14. Dallas Stars
15. New York Rangers