Maybe this is just how the draft lottery gods work. When the Buffalo Sabres were in full-on tank mode, they couldn’t buy the No. 1 overall pick. This season was supposed to be one of growth and progress up the standings and it was a bit disastrous. Until Saturday.



Credit Sabres GM Jason Botterill for resisting full-on Rene Rancourt fist pumps in Marc Bergevin and Don Waddell’s direction after winning the lottery but the hint of the smile gave it away. This weekend was a franchise defining moment for the Sabres in winning the lottery and the opportunity to select Rasmus Dahlin No. 1 overall.



“He’d probably be the best defenseman on a lot of teams right off the bat,” said an NHL general manager of the talented Swede.



That’s the no-brainer at the top of the 2018 NHL draft. After that, things get a little murky. There are good players but not a defined order. So to help provide some early clarity, or at least attempt to,...