Sabres GM disappointed to miss out on 1st-overall pick, 'happy with 2nd'

The Buffalo Sabres will draft second overall in the wake of the Edmonton Oilers' NHL Draft Lottery win on Saturday night, but Sabres general manager Tim Murray is making the best of the situation.

"We're disappointed not to get (the) first (pick), but we're happy with second," Murray told reporters after the results were revealed. "(There are) two franchise-changing guys in this draft."

It is anticipated the Sabres will miss out on selecting top prospect Connor McDavid, but they have the opportunity to select Hobey Baker Award winner Jack Eichel.

"We drafted a center last year. We're going to draft a center again," Murray said. "You need to be strong down the middle."

Buffalo drafted Sam Reinhart second overall in last June's draft. He posted 65 points in 47 games for the WHL's Kootenay Ice and two points in one game for the AHL's Rochester Americans after appearing in nine games for the Sabres.

Even though the Sabres had the highest odds to win the lottery at 20 percent this time around, Murray was realistic about his club's chances.

"Knowing you have an 80 percent chance going in not to win, this is what you expect," he said.

The Sabres GM said the team has no plans to trade the No. 2 pick. Murray believes Eichel can contribute right away.

"He's in the top percentile of guys, comparable to guys who have jumped in the league at 19 and done well," Murray said. 

"We're trying to get better down the road. Down the road starts next year. We're doing homework, laying groundwork." he added.

Eichel scored 26 goals and added 45 assists in 40 games for Boston University. He led the Terriers to the national championship game and won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top NCAA men's hockey player.