Buffalo Sabers hold 11th pick in 2024 NHL Draft

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Sabers neither moved up nor down in the 2024 NHL Draft on Tuesday night, remaining at 11th overall for the early rounds.

The San Jose Sharks, with former Sabers forward Mike Grier as general manager, won the draft for the No. 1 pick. The Sharks finished last overall and retained their lottery position. The lottery turned out to be disappointing, with no modification to the draft decree. The Chicago Blackhawks, who selected Connor Bédard with the first pick last year, retained the second pick, followed by the Anaheim Ducks.

Buffalo had a 3 percent chance of winning the lottery for the first overall selection on June 28 in Las Vegas, and similar odds in the second drawing for the second pick. There was also a chance the Sabers fell to 12th or 13th.

This will be the 13th straight year that Buffalo has held a top-13 pick, and the Sabers have made 18 first-round selections in the last dozen selections. After being in the top 10 for a full decade, Buffalo drafted Zach Benson 13th overall last June, and the 18-year-old spent his entire rookie season on the NHL roster.

Sabers History of No. 11 Picks

2002😀 Keith Ballard, Minnesota (NCAA)

1992😀 David Cooper, Medicine Hat (WHL)

1983: C Adam Creighton, Ottawa (OHL)

1979😀 Mike Ramsey, Minnesota (NCAA)

1974😀 Lee Fogolin, Oshawa (OHA)

Of the players the Sabers drafted 11th overall, Ramsey played the most games in Buffalo. Ramsey’s 911 games with the franchise rank third all-time.

Top prospects head to Buffalo

The NHL scouting combine will once again take place in Buffalo in June.

The NHL combine is similar to the popular NFL version, featuring top draft-eligible North American and international prospects. This year’s event will take place June 2-8 at KeyBank Center and HarborCenter.

Digital Executive Producer Nick Veronica and Associated Press contributed to this report.

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