News » In the meantime

NHL draft lottery losers last year, the Florida Panthers had their number come up this year. Ruben Sierra Rangers Jersey . In the meantime, chalk up yet another loss for the Buffalo Sabres. The Panthers bucked the odds Tuesday by jumping up a spot and earned the right to the top pick in June. Florida, which finished 29th in the league, vaulted ahead of the last-place Sabres, who had the best odds of winning the lottery held in Toronto. "It means a lot to us. Weve very excited," said Travis Viola, Panthers president of hockey operations. "Were looking to continue to build on our core talent of young players. Its just a great opportunity." It also marked a reversal of fortune for Florida. After finishing last a year ago, the Panthers were relegated to the No. 2 pick after Colorado won the lottery. The top two projected prospects are left wing Samuel Bennett, of OHL Kingston, who finished first in the final rankings released by NHL Central Scouting last week, and OHL Barrie defenceman Aaron Ekblad. The draft will be held in Philadelphia on June 27-28. The Panthers (29-45-8) had an 18.8 per cent chance of winning the lottery, behind only Buffalo (21-51-10), which had a 25 per cent shot. The Sabres continued whats been a losing trend since the season began in October. Buffalos 51 losses were a franchise worst, and the most losses in the NHL since the New York Islanders went 21-51-7-3 in 2000-01. General manager Tim Murray took the latest loss in stride, telling the teams website that he almost anticipated losing out on the No. 1 pick. "Were very comfortable," Murray said. "The other way wouldve been gravy, but its kind of what we thought would happen, and we prepared for it." The Sabres were guaranteed falling no further than second. Florida will have the first pick for the fourth time in franchise history. The Panthers are gradually rebuilding. They made a splash this year by acquiring goalie Roberto Luongo in a trade with Vancouver. And theyll be picking third or better for the fourth time in five years. Their previous top three picks -- defenceman Erik Gudbranson (in 2010), wing Jonathan Huberdeau (2011) and centre Aleksander Barkov (2013) -- all played significant roles this season. "Were anxious to put a winner in Florida," Viola said. The Panthers move up marked the fourth straight year in which the last-place team failed to win the lottery. Since the NHL lottery system was introduced in 1995, the last-place team has earned the No. 1 pick only six times. The Panthers had the No. 1 pick in the 2002 and 2003 drafts, but traded them away both times. They also had the No. 1 pick in 1994, when they selected defenceman Ed Jovanovski. The remaining 11 teams maintained their draft order based on the final standings, starting with the Edmonton Oilers staying with the No. 3 draft pick. Calgary will select fourth followed by the New York Islanders. The top 10 picks are rounded out by Vancouver picking sixth, followed by Carolina, Toronto, Winnipeg and Anaheim. The Pacific Division champion Ducks earned a lottery spot by acquiring a first-round pick in a trade with Ottawa, which finished 21st. The New Jersey Devils, who finished 20th, were included in the lottery to maintain the weighted odds, but were not eligible to be selected. The Devils are already slotted to pick 30th after being sanctioned by the NHL. The league ruled New Jersey circumvented the collective bargaining agreement by attempting to skirt the salary cap by signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a 17-year, $102 million contract in 2010. Center Sam Reinhart (WHL Kootenay) and left wing Leon Draisaitl (WHL Prince Albert) were ranked third and fourth among North American skaters, while the top-ranked European skater is Finnish right wing Kasperi Kapanen. The Sabres actually have a shot at holding three first-round picks based on two trades they made this year. The Islanders have to until June 1 to decide whether to hand over their first-round selection to Buffalo this year or next year. Islanders head amateur scout Trent Klatt said the team has not yet determined its plans. The Sabres will also acquire the Blues first-round pick should St. Louis reach the Western Conference finals. Prince Fielder Rangers Jersey .com) - Ryan Johansens creative moves and hometown appeal highlighted Team Folignos successful night at the NHL All- Star Skills Competition. Vladimir Guerrero Rangers Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/1062h-isiah-kiner-falefa-jersey-rangers.html . Among the six changes: Drivers are now eligible if they have competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR or turned 55 in the calendar year before nominating day. Previously, drivers were not eligible until they had been retired for three years, so drivers can continue to compete and still reach the hall.MILAN - With Juventus headed for a fourth straight Serie A title, little appears to have changed since Massimiliano Allegri replaced Antonio Conte as coach.One crucial difference, however, is that Juventus has advanced to the second round of the Champions League, something Conte failed to achieve last year.Allegri is intelligent, he has started well, he has studied and changed the system, bringing only benefits to the team, Juventus director Pavel Nedved said.Juventus hosts Sampdoria on Sunday, and second-place Roma plays Genoa a few hours later.Here are some things to know about this weekends matches:___SURPRISE SAMPDORIAAfter finishing 12th last season, Sampdoria has had a strong start this time with only one loss in 14 matches.But the team faces a tough test when it travels to Juventus Stadium on Sunday.Juventus is the strongest team in Europe and has been for a long while, said former Italy and Juventus coach Marcello Lippi, who also played for Samp and coached in its youth sector. It is the most difficult match for any team. But Sampdoria is having an extraordinary season and so can get any result in every match, including Sundays.___ROMAS BELIEFOnly days after missing out on advancement in the Champions League, second-place Roma will visit third-placce Genoa. Jeff Russell Jersey. .Could this have a boomerang effect? Lets not ask these questions. Its not a tragedy or a step backward, Roma director Mauro Baldissoni said. We were in a very difficult (Champions League) group and we had the chance to qualify right to the last game.We know our aims and among those is that of winning the title. We believe in it, there is no need for any extra motivation.Roma, which missed an opportunity to close the gap on Juventus last week, is three points behind the Serie A leaders.Like city rival Sampdoria, Genoa has also had an impressive start to the season and is currently third.___FIORENTINA FORWARDSFiorentina striker Khouma Babacar is likely to be out until the new year with a thigh injury, dealing another blow to the team.Babacar, who has scored four league goals this season, is the third forward out of action, with Giuseppe Rossi and Federico Bernardeschi sidelined with long-term injuries.Fiorentina will have to lean heavily on Mario Gomez, who recently scored his first goal in eight months after an injury-hit spell.Its properly a curse, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella said. Im upset for Babacar.Fiorentina visits Cesena, which hired coach Domenico Di Carlo on Monday to replace the fired Pierpaolo Bisoli. ' ' '