A win is a win, but some aren't hoped to be repeated.
That's the sentiment of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello after his club won the 2016 NHL Draft lottery and the right to select first overall come June 24 in Buffalo.
"Never wanted the opportunity and hope it never happens again. How’s that?" he said in an interview with Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.
"Let me put it this way,” Lamoriello added. “Having the opportunity to do it is not something you feel good about. But being able to select the player your organization thinks is the best player is what you look forward to."
Having said that, he's well aware that drafting a player like Auston Matthews - the expected top pick - doesn't amount to a quick fix.
"There is a lot of work to be done," Lamoriello said. "This is not something that is going to happen overnight.
"We are going to acquire a player who is going to be solid in that foundation, whenever that might be, for a long time. That has been the whole process here, putting something together that is going to be able to be sustained, not getting ahead of ourselves, not being teased by doing something for today without tomorrow in sight. We are going to need the same patience we have had and hopefully everyone understands that."
The Maple Leafs also hold the Pittsburgh Penguins' first-round pick, as well as 10 additional picks in rounds two through seven. Lamoriello and co. have a busy couple of months ahead of them in preparation for a franchise-altering day.
