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Buffalo Sabres First Round Draft Pick: Trading Away 2016

By Tim Redinger |

The Buffalo Sabres have three first round draft picks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

They have already traded away one of those picks, leaving them with two number one selections.  Simple math right?

There is no way they are going to give up the chance at picking Jack Eichel in the number two spot, and they might be able to convince a team with the last first round pick plus some extra to move up in the first round of 2015 to grab one of the other good players in the draft that might not be around in the later stages of the first round.

What would it cost?  Most certainly your first, a second rounder, and possibly a prospect.  The other question is, how close does Tim Murray think his team will be to the playoffs next season, and what should he do with his first round draft pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft?

The Buffalo Sabres have a ton of draft picks to use still, and if Tim Murray doesn’t want to be involved in picking high in 2016 because he wants his team to be competitive this upcoming season – where does that leave the team with their number one pick next season.

There is more to next years draft then though.  It isn’t just the first overall pick that will be in the lottery, it will be the first three selections.  If the Buffalo Sabres are a better hockey team next season based on moves already done and what will come in Jack Eichel – there is no guarantee they will be good enough to make the playoffs or compete.

How far and how many pieces away are they?  Topic for another conversation on another day.  But that doesn’t mean the Buffalo Sabres can’t use next years first round draft pick to lure a team into giving up another NHL ready piece this year, either at the draft or in the off-season that makes the Buffalo Sabres better next year.

You could also keep that pick – hedging your bets that you will be in on the draft lottery next year (although with drastically worse odds hopefully) – where you could turn an 8th to 14th overall pick into a number one, two or three overall slot.

Buffalo Sabres Trade Possibilities

Buffalo could find a dance partner.  The Ottawa Senators have a goaltending log jam right now – although I don’t know that it would take a first round pick, nor should it cost a first round pick for a goalie.

Teams like the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche have pieces in place to be good hockey clubs, but didn’t make the playoffs this year – getting an addition first round pick next season could help them speed up any rebuild or restructuring the teams might be doing.

2016 NHL Draft Possibility

If you don’t make the playoffs next year, your going to have a shot at the first three overall picks.  Depending on where in the lottery you end up, your odds for moving up a few spots could be good.  How good is the next draft class?

2016 Mock Drafts are already starting to show up, and the top three picks in the draft right now are Auston Matthews, Jesse Puljajarvi, and Jacob Chychrun.  Could the Buffalo Sabres be in on the top of the draft without sinking in the basement – most certainly.

What would be better, making an epic run for eighth place and getting knocked out in the first round, which will give many of our young players some NHL playoff experience – or roll the dice in the lottery?

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