In a thrilling turn of events, the Buffalo Sabres made a bold move to kick off the NHL draft, selecting defenseman Daxon Rudolph with the first overall pick. The surprise decision was sparked by a trade involving star defenseman Bowen Byram, which sent shockwaves through the hockey world. A pre-draft interview may have hinted at the Sabres' plans, but the team's top brass ultimately decided to shake things up and go with the talented Rudolph, who is expected to bring a new level of excitement to the team. As the crowd at the draft event went wild, fans and analysts alike are left wondering what this move means for the Sabres' future.

The Bowen Byram trade and an interview Friday morning led to the Buffalo Sabres making Daxon Rudolph the first defenseman taken off the NHL draft board in front of a home crowd.