Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray doesn’t seem too optimistic about winning the top overall draft pick for the upcoming 2016 NHL Draft. Nor is he interested in seeing where his team will pick in person. At least, that’s the message he’s conveying by stating he has no intention of attending the Draft Lottery scheduled for April 30th.
Via WGR 550, Murray completely brushed aside the idea of attending the lottery:
“They can save the paper and the call inviting me. I will not be there. I’m not saying somebody from the organization won’t go and represent, but it won’t be me.”
“(The lottery is) going to happen whether I’m there or not, so it’s a waste of time. Whatever they do (when) the balls come out, nothing’s going to change whether I’m there or not.”
Murray sounds a bit salty, doesn’t he?
He attended the two previous lotteries only to watch the Sabres miss out on the top overall pick and “settle” for the second overall pick both times. This year, thanks to the Sabres owning an improved record, the team has only a 6% chance of picking first, though that may change slightly once all the games have been played.
Attendance by GMs isn’t mandatory, but it’s kind of strange to see a GM openly dismiss an NHL event which should attract plenty of coverage.
