The NHL draft will start June 24, putting us exactly one month away. The Sabres reportedly will pick 16th overall during the June 24-25 event held in St. Paul, Minn.
NHL Central Scouting, which lost Buffalo native EJ McGuire to cancer last month, has a public Website that lists the top draft-eligible prospects from North America and around the world.
The 16th-ranked North American skater is Mark Scheifele, a 6-foot-2 center who plays for Barrie in the Ontario Hockey League.
Here is the official draft order thus far:
1. Edmonton Oilers
2. Colorado Avalanche
3. Florida Panthers
4. New Jersey Devils
5. New York Islanders
6. Ottawa Senators
7. Atlanta Thrashers
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
9. Boston Bruins (from Toronto)
10. Minnesota Wild
11. Colorado Avalanche (from St. Louis)
12. Carolina Hurricanes
13. Calgary Flames
14. Dallas Stars
The remaining positions are determined at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
---John Vogl
