Sabres GM won’t attend draft lottery

A man can only handle so much heartbreak.

Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Friday he isn't going to the draft lottery later this month.

"They can save the paper and the call inviting me. I will not be there," Murray said on Buffalo radio station WGR 550. "I'm not saying somebody from the organization won't go and represent, but it won't be me."

Murray was present for the last two draft lotteries, during which the Sabres failed to land the first overall pick despite having the NHL's worst record both times.

"(The lottery is) going to happen whether I'm there or not, so it's a waste of time," Murray said. "Whatever they do (when) the balls come out, nothing's going to change whether I'm there or not."

Buffalo missed out on Aaron Ekblad in 2014 and Connor McDavid in 2015, settling for second overall picks Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel, respectively.

The much-improved Sabres have the league's eighth-worst record and only a six percent chance of securing the top selection this time around, according to TSN.

The 2016 draft lottery takes place April 30. The new format will involve three separate lotteries to determine each of the top three picks.

- With h/t to John Vogl

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