NHL Draft: A Fan’s Guide
NHL Draft heads to home of Buffalo Sabres, June 24-25
Well, Buffalo Sabres fans, the week is finally upon us.
The 2016 NHL Draft will be held later this week at First Niagara Center, with day one on Friday, June 24 and the remaining rounds to be held on Saturday, June 25.
Before this weekend’s events, after which some 211 prospects will officially become NHL prospects, here’s a quick guide to everything draft-related that you need to know.
From your basic time & location info on the official NHL Draft, to watch parties; from all the prospect info you can get your hands on, to learning a little more about the impact the draft might have on Buffalo – we’ve got it.
In addition, at the end of this slideshow, you’ll find some suggestions for visiting fans/media/etc. to take in while in Buffalo this coming weekend. From bars & restaurants to visit, to museums and other attractions, the city of Buffalo has a lot to offer – and we’re going to help you find it.
Next: When & Where?
The Basics
The first round of the 2016 NHL Draft will be held on Friday, June 24, with events set to begin at 7:00 p.m. as the Toronto Maple Leafs make their first selection.
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The format: assigned seating, with all tickets (through the team) sold out. If you didn’t manage to snag day one tickets, you’re out of luck – unless you choose to hit up Stubhub or a similar listings site. Tickets are currently listed for as low as $50, but most range more in the $70-$100 range.
If you couldn’t get tickets, the Sabres are hosting a 2016 NHL Draft Fan Festival at nearby Canalside.
This free event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and is open to fans of all ages. Giveaways, interactive games and live music are among the features touted for the upcoming festival. You’ll also get a taste of some local food trucks, as well as a chance to meet several Buffalo Sabres players and alumni.
The festival also features a draft watch party starting at 7 p.m.
If you’d prefer to stay home and watch, the first round will be broadcast on NBCSN in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada.
The second day of the draft, featuring rounds two through seven, will be held on Saturday, June 25. Doors open at 8 a.m., with the draft starting at 10 a.m.
Free general admission tickets have sold out, but fans who are interested can watch day two on NHL Network in the United States or on Sportsnet in Canada.
Next: Who Are The Prospects?
NHL Draft Options
Sure, we’ve all heard of Auston Matthews, but what about all the other guys who will be picked in the upcoming 2016 NHL Draft?
There are plenty of talented young men who will become NHL prospects this year, and some of them are certainly worth reading up on ahead of the 2016 NHL Draft.
For starters, check out our piece on London Knights’ Matthew Tkachuk and whether or not he could be worth trading up for in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Other options for the Buffalo Sabres: trading the eighth-overall pick for Taylor Hall; trading down to pick up Logan Brown and another first-rounder; or swapping places with Edmonton.
How about sending that eighth-overall pick to the Anaheim Ducks, or the Los Angeles Kings?
As for the prospects, check out our write-ups on Alex Nylander, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Dante Fabbro.
Next: More Reading on the NHL Draft
Further Reading on the 2016 NHL Draft
Catch up on the first-round selection order ahead of the 2016 NHL Draft with our piece here. Buffalo Sabres fans can also find out more about where the team is set to pick overall in the 2016 NHL Draft here.
Buffalo Sabres fans interested in who the team could pick up with the eighth-overall selection can catch up with past players who were picked 8th historically in the NHL, including 1999 draft pick Taylor Pyatt; San Jose’s 2005 pick of Devin Setoguchi; and last year’s eighth pick, Zach Werenski.
Of course, all fans are also welcome to check out our 2016 Mock NHL Draft, which features Auston Mathews, Patrik Laine and Matthew Tkachuk as the top-three, with the Buffalo Sabres picking up Alex Nylander.
Next: Things to Do in Buffalo
Places to Visit in Buffalo
The NHL Draft weekend is set to be huge for the city of Buffalo, with an estimated $9.2 million in revenue headed to the city as a result. Between hotels, bars, restaurants, nightlife and other entertainment & spending, the draft is going to be great for the city.
If you’re visiting in from out of town, here’s a short list of bars and restaurants you may want to check out this weekend if you’re looking for some good food or a cold drink.
- (716) Food and Sport – 7 Scott Street, Buffalo. You can’t get much closer to the draft than here; 716, located inside HARBORCENTER, is right across from First Niagara Center. Try the Buffalo Mac & Cheese or the beef on weck.
- Pearl Street Grill & Brewery – 76 Scott Street, Buffalo. Just a short walk from the arena. Try their variety of on-tap beers. Also check out their related property, the Pan-American Grill.
- Liberty Hound – 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo. Looking for a place with a view? This is it. For more on-the-water dining experiences, check out William K’s or Templeton Landing.
- Looking for wings? Check out Anchor Bar, Bocce Pizza, Duff’s, Brick House Tavern or La Nova.
- If you’re looking for vegan food, try Merge.
- Other places to check out: The Cobblestone, Allen Street Hardware, Iron Works, Founding Fathers, Mister Goodbar, Swannie House and Mulligan’s, among many, many others.
- If you’ve never had Jim’s Steakout, do yourself a favor and try it.
Another one to point out: the Allen Street Poutine Company. We’re not in Canada anymore, folks.
For museums & other places, check out the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Check out Canalside (a short walk from First Niagara Center) as well as the Outer Harbor and Wilkeson Pointe, both of which are filled with great outdoor activities.
Check out Buffalo Riverworks and the Buffalo Zoo. See the place where President McKinley was shot, and then check out the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site. Visit the shops in the Elmwood village, and check out Allentown, while you’re at it.
There’s plenty to do in Buffalo while you’re here for the 2016 NHL Draft, so make the most of it!