The Buffalo Sabres will hold the eighth pick at the 2020 NHL Draft.
The No. 1 overall pick will be awarded during a "second phase" of the NHL Draft Lottery after it was won by one of eight placeholder teams during the first drawing on Friday. Los Angeles and Ottawa were awarded the second and third picks, respectively.
The drawing on Friday consisted of the seven teams that will not participate in the league's 24-team return-to-play format, plus eight placeholder teams. The second phase will consist of a drawing between the eight clubs that lose in the qualifying round of a return-to-play scenario, each of which will have an equal chance at winning the top pick.
Sabres to select 8th at 2020 NHL Draft
Phase 2 of NHL Draft Lottery will determine No. 1 pick
![052620_Lottery_Mediawall](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_auto/prd/qw4mxhqaasqubcrwrl4i.jpg)
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Kevyn Adams reacts to 2020 NHL Draft Lottery results