A draft lottery win could spell an instant change of fortune for the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres. After finishing 31st overall in the 2017-18 regular-season standings with a record of 25-45-12 for 62 points, the Sabres became the second team in seven years to ride a last-place finish to a draft lottery win. The Sabres now have the inside track on using their first-overall pick to acquire top prospect Rasmus Dahlin. But the Edmonton Oilers won the 2015 draft lottery, moving up two spots to snag McDavid, while the Sabres took Jack Eichel in the second spot. The NHL moved to its current draft lottery format in 2016, where the top three picks are available to all non-playoff teams based on a weighted system.

Source: Forbes April 29, 2018 03:28 UTC