Connor McDavid on potentially being drafted by Sabres: 'It would be an awesome spot to play'
Erie Otters phenom Connor McDavid, the likely first overall pick at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, is the most highly regarded prospect in hockey. He's probably the most hyped teenager in nearly a decade.
McDavid's skills are so highly thought of in hockey circles that there are fears that NHL teams may not put their best foot forward this upcoming season. Or, maybe it's just a coincidence that the league chose this summer to re-weigh the odds the worst team receives at the annual draft lottery.
Among the NHL teams that are not very good and figure to be contenders in the McDavid sweepstakes, the Buffalo Sabres stand alone; the leading candidate by a country mile. Though the Sabres added NHL-ready 18-year-old Sam Reinhart and some useful veteran pieces this offseason – including Josh Gorges, Matt Moulson and Brian Gionta – they figure to be every bit as inept offensively and porous defensively as they were in 2013-14.
It's not as if the Sabres aren't fully aware of their predicament. Certainly the organization seems intent on maximizing the efficacy of their "hope for the future" pitch to fans.
To that end, the Sabres will host the draft combine in 2015 and 2016, and this October, will host an OHL game between McDavid's Otters and local-ish OHL team the Niagara Ice Dogs at their home arena, the First Niagara Center. The club is even offering discounted $10 and $15 tickets for Sabres season-ticket holders.
McDavid, for what it's worth, would welcome the opportunity to play home games at First Niagara Center for years to come.
"It's pretty cool," McDavid said of the chance to play a major junior-level game at an NHL rink per Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "I've been to a couple Sabres games. It's a pretty nice spot. The fans are crazy here. They're great. And I'm really excited to play here with my team.
"It's a great organization from what I've seen. I know Cody Hodgson pretty well and I hear nothing but good things. They love playing here. Sam Reinhart was so proud and so happy when he got drafted here. It's a great organization and it would be an awesome spot to play."
If McDavid were to join Reinhart in Buffalo following what most expect to be another unsuccessful season for the Sabres, presumably fans will promptly forgive the recent misery and dysfunction that has characterized the Terry Pegula era of Sabres hockey.