The Buffalo Sabres won the NHL draft lottery on Saturday night, earning the opportunity to draft potential franchise defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.
"We're really looking forward to adding a great player to the team," said GM Jason Botterill.
The Buffalo Sabres haven't selected first overall since drafting center Pierre Turgeon in 1987. Previously, they had selected star forward Gilbert Perreault first in 1970.
The NHL had a new format for the lottery this season, announcing the first 12 picks prior to the Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks Stanley Cup playoff game on Saturday night, and then announcing the order of the top three picks during the game's second intermission, after 10 p.