This won't do much to dispell the notion that the Buffalo Sabres are tanking.
Sabres general manager Tim Murray says he often gets carried away thinking about the possibility of drafting top prospect Connor McDavid first overall in June's NHL Entry Draft.
"I watch him too much and I think too much about him,” Murray told Matt Higgins of the New York Times. “I wish I could help myself.”
The Sabres will have the highest chance of winning the draft lottery for the right to select McDavid if they finish with the NHL's worst record. The lottery is reportedly set for April 18.
Buffalo (20-47-8) has the worst record through 75 games.
"You go through a year like this, it’s tough,” Murray said.
Fans at First Niagara Center in Buffalo cheered when the team was scored on in Thursday's loss to the Arizona Coyotes, who have the second-worst record at 23-45-8.
“I feel bad for our players, I really do," Murray said.
"It’s been a tough year. I’m the type of G.M., as everybody can see, I’ve traded away a lot of good players for the simple fact we have to get better. Our time’s the future. This guy I call our franchise-changing player.”
McDavid amassed 120 points in 47 games for the OHL's Erie Otters after registering 99 points in 56 contests last season.
The Sabres have seven games remaining, including another clash with the Coyotes along with matchups against the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins.
- With h/t to Pro Hockey Talk
