“It’s been 84 years.”

The first big event of the offseason is finally here for Buffalo Sabres fans. The club hasn’t played a game since early March and has been just hanging out until the Eric Staal trade a few weeks ago. It’ll be interesting to see the approach to the draft for the Sabres under new management.

Kevyn Adams will run his first NHL Draft as general manager. He’ll do so along with his top scouting associates Jeremiah Crow and Jason Nightingale. They’ve talked about focusing more on a data-driven approach to their draft process over the last few months, so we’ll see how that plays out for them.

To make sure we’re all ready for the draft on Tuesday and Wednesday, I’ll go through a few different areas surrounding the draft to attempt to fill all of your needs.

2020 Draft Picks: 8 (1st), 38 (2nd), 99 (4th), 130 (5th), 192 (7th), and 215 (7th)

The Sabres enter the draft with six picks in their pocket. They’re without their third-round and a sixth-round pick. Those were sent to the Carolina Hurricanes as part of the Jeff Skinner trade. The extra seventh-round pick comes from the Dallas Stars with the Taylor Fedun trade.

Options at Eighth Overall

1. Marco Rossi | C | Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Rossi is the likely fan-favorite if he drops down the board to eight. He’s a dynamic forward that can go as high as third overall to the Ottawa Senators or slide all the way down to the Sabres. He’s undersized at 5’9″, but that shouldn’t scare anyone. The Austrian-born forward is an offensive dynamo with his ability to drive play and create offense.

Marco Rossi (@Ottawa67sHockey) had a goal and an assist on Saturday and the assist was a beauty.

Great vision and a deceptive pass that goes cross ice to Clarke who ties the game up. He’s patient, waits for the lane to open and then fires a perfect pass though. #2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/B7NE0YRVys

— Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) September 23, 2019

He’s one of the older players in this draft and will likely be able to step right into the Sabres lineup for the 2020-21 season when it does get underway.

2. Alexander Holtz | Winger | Djurgardens (SHL)

I still can’t shake it that something inside of me is saying that Holtz will be the Sabres pick at eight if he’s on the board. This isn’t inside information or anything. It’s just an odd feeling.

Holtz has possibly the best shot in this draft and also has good puck skills. His defensive game needs some work, but he’s only 18-years-old. There’s the potential to improve and make him a complete player.

The real concern here for me with Holtz is that he’s probably at least two years away. Some other options can step into the lineup sooner.

3. Jack Quinn | RW | Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Quinn is the other Ottawa forward that will go in the first round of this draft tomorrow. It’s hard to ignore a player that scores 52 goals in their draft year. He came out of nowhere to throw up huge numbers for the 67’s. That could be a concern of an outlier draft year performance, but he is a natural scorer.

Corey Pronman mentioned he heard the Sabres had an interest in Quinn at eight and I’ve heard similar things, as well. Seems to be a lot of smoke around this idea, but I think Rossi is the guy at the top of their list.

If the Sabres do want to make this pick, I’d suggest they look into the idea of trading back and picking up another pick instead of grabbing him at eight.

4. Anton Lundell | C | HIFK (Liiga)

I’m pretty sure most people know of my feelings about Lundell. I feel as though the Finnish centerman makes a lot of sense for the Sabres at eight and he’ll almost certainly be on the board when they’re up.

He’s off to a great start this season in Finland and silencing some critics in regards to their concerns over his skating and offense. Lundell is another player that can step into the NHL quickly with his strong two-way game.

5. Lucas Raymond | RW | Frolunda (SHL)

I firmly believe Raymond is going in the top five of this draft. Especially with the great start to his SHL season with more ice time playing for Frolunda. However, if he’s still on the board at eight, he should be an easy pick.

Lucas Raymond’s first SHL goal is a perfect shot through traffic and under the bar short side. #2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/YKHP5kKQUD

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) September 19, 2020

Raymond is the explosive winger that the Sabres could use on the right side. After this season in Sweden, he’ll likely be ready to step into the NHL.

6. Jake Sanderson | LD | U18 US National Development Program

Don’t freak out because there’s a defenseman on the list. I heard when Jason Botterill was still in charge that the Sabres liked Sanderson. I thought that may have changed under new management, but it sounds as though it has not. This isn’t surprising when you consider US National Development Program connections like the director of scouting Jeremiah Crowe and Rochester Amerks head coach Seth Appert.

Sanderson is a good prospect and in a world where the Sabres didn’t take two left-shot defenders in the top 32 picks the last two years, perhaps he’s higher on the board for fans. He’s an excellent skater and puck mover with good defensive zone skills.

I believe the board would have to fall a certain way for the Sabres to pick him with them likely having a few forwards ranked higher. For what it’s worth, I don’t think he’ll be on the board at eight. I think he’ll be the first defenseman selected in the top five.

Trade Scenarios

1. Trade The Pick

Sitting here on Sunday evening, I think this is the most unlikely scenario. There has been a discussion amongst fans about trading the eighth overall pick, but I don’t think that really got close to ever happening. One phone call could change everything, but at this point, I’d expect the Sabres to make the pick.

If they do move the pick, it’ll need to be for either a high-end center or winger with long-term team control. Other than that, I would have no interest in getting out that spot in a draft full of offensive talent at the top.

2. Trade-Up

It sounded like early last week the Ottawa Senators pick at five could be available. However, the Senators’ general manager Pierre Dorian told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun that they were not trading the pick.

That brings to the Anaheim Ducks at six. They appear to be open to moving back, according to reports. If the Sabres do covet Rossi, they could consider moving up to six to make sure they get their guy. In return, it could cost them one of their other five picks in this draft. They could also get creative and put a defenseman into the deal, which is a need of the Ducks.

There’s a debate to be had there if it’s worth the cost.

3. Trade-Down

Trading down and picking up another pick wouldn’t be the worst idea if the board breaks a certain way. One team I would be eyeing is the Winnipeg Jets at 10. What if Jamie Drysdale or Sanderson is still on the board at eight? The Jets really need defensemen and could be willing to part with a pick to move two spots to get one.

Could a team have an interest in jumping ahead of the Minnesota Wild at nine to get an opportunity to draft stud goaltender Yaroslav Askarov? Of course, it all depends on what players are sitting there at eight and what the return would be to drop back a few spots.

The Sabres shouldn’t do it to just because if some solid forwards are sitting there for them. It only makes sense for them in the right scenario.

Buckle your seat belts. The next few weeks should be interesting for the Sabres.