.png)
Buffalo Sabres win NHL Draft Lottery
The Buffalo Sabres secured themselves yet another first overall pick in the NHL Draft. Buffalo will now be picking in the top ten for the ninth time since their last playoff series appearance in 2011, the longest active playoff drought in the NHL. With rumors heating up once again about the more than likely departure of Sabres' Captain Jack Eichel, Buffalo's long and painful rebuild continues.
The premier name and likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NHL is believed to be Owen Power, an 18 year old defenseman out of the University of Michigan. The Buffalo Sabres took a defenseman with their last first overall pick in 2018, when they took Swedish sensation Rasmus Dahlin.
Buffalo Sabres' recent top 10 draft picks since 2011 playoff appearance:
2020 - Round 1, eighth overall, Jack Quinn, RW
2019 - Round 1, seventh overall, Dylan Cozens, C
2018 - Round 1, first overall, Rasmus Dahlin, D
2017 - Round 1, eighth overall, Casey Mittelstadt, C
2016 - Round 1, eighth overall, Alexander Nylander, LW
2015 - Round 1, second overall, Jack Eichel, C
2014 - Round 1, second overall, Sam Reinhart, C
2013 - Round 1, eighth overall, Rasmus Ristolainen, D
Winnipeg Jets' Mark Scheifele gets 4 game suspension for controversial hit
The Winnipeg Jets will be without their first line center, Mark Scheifele, after it was announced that the league would be suspending him for four games, after a huge controversial hit on Montreal Canadiens center, Jake Evans during Game 1 on Wednesday night in Winnipeg. With over a minute left in the third period, the Canadiens were leading by a goal, when Jets head coach Paul Maurice pulled goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for an extra skater, in hopes to tie the game.
After clearing the puck down ice, Jake Evans was able to intercept behind the goal and tried for an empty netter. He was met by a full speed Mark Scheifele shoulder, which sent Evans to the ice head first and seemingly unconscious. Jake Evans had to be stretchered off the ice, but gave an encouraging thumbs up on his way out. It was announced later on that Evans was back at the team's hotel in Winnipeg, doing fine and was alert.
The hit has since been the talk of the hockey world, and has divided fans. While a majority of fans labeled Scheifele's actions as dirty and uncalled for, there is a loud minority that are defending the hit.
Clean or dirty? Tell me what you think.
Follow me on Twitter for all your latest NHL news, updates and rumors. @NY_cth.
-Chris