Skip to page content
Loading page

How Does the NHL Draft Work?

11 February 2025
NHL Draft




The NHL Draft is a crucial event in professional hockey, providing teams with the opportunity to build their future rosters by selecting top young talent. Understanding the NHL draft rules, eligibility criteria, and selection process is essential for players, fans, and analysts alike. This guide explains everything you need to know about how the NHL Draft works.

What Is the NHL Draft?

The NHL Draft is an annual event where teams select eligible players to join their organizations. It takes place in late June, after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The draft order is determined by team standings and a weighted lottery system designed to maintain competitive balance in the league.

Each of the 32 NHL teams is allotted one pick per round, resulting in a standard seven-round draft with 224 selections unless trades alter the distribution.

NHL Draft Eligibility Rules

A player's eligibility for the NHL Draft is based on specific age and participation criteria:

Age Requirements

  • Players must be at least 18 years old by September 15 of the draft year.

  • North American players cannot be older than 20 years old.

  • International players are eligible up to the age of 21 if they have not previously played in the NHL.

Undrafted Players

  • If a player is not selected in their first year of eligibility, they can be drafted in later years as long as they meet the age criteria.

  • Players who remain undrafted after becoming ineligible can enter the league as unrestricted free agents.

These NHL draft age rules ensure a structured and fair pathway for young talent entering the league.

How Does the NHL Draft Work?

The NHL Draft follows a systematic process that includes a draft lottery, a defined order for playoff teams, and the ability to trade picks. Here’s how it works:

1. The NHL Draft Lottery

The draft lottery is used to determine the order of selection for teams that did not qualify for the playoffs:

  • The 16 non-playoff teams are entered into the lottery.

  • The lottery randomly assigns the first, second, and third overall picks.

  • The remaining teams are ordered based on their regular-season standings from worst to best.

The lottery is designed to prevent tanking, ensuring that the lowest-ranked teams have the best odds of securing a high pick but are not guaranteed the top spot. 

Do you want to learn more about how the NHL Draft Lottery works?

2. Playoff Teams’ Draft Order

The 16 teams that made the Stanley Cup Playoffs are placed at the end of the selection order, ranked in reverse order of regular-season performance. The team with the best record picks last unless they have acquired a higher pick through trades.

3. Trading Draft Picks

One of the most strategic aspects of the NHL Draft is the ability to trade draft picks. Teams may trade picks in advance or on draft day to:

  • Move up in the draft to select a coveted player.

  • Acquire additional selections to build depth.

  • Exchange picks for veteran players who can immediately impact their roster.

This adds a dynamic element to the drafting process, as teams balance long-term development with immediate roster needs.

How Many Rounds Are in the NHL Draft?

The NHL Draft consists of seven rounds, giving each team multiple opportunities to acquire talent. While the first-round picks receive the most attention, players selected in later rounds often go on to have successful NHL careers.

Notable late-round picks include:

  • Pavel Datsyuk (6th round, 171st overall, 1998, Detroit Red Wings)
  • Henrik Zetterberg (7th round, 210th overall, 1999, Detroit Red Wings)
  • Daniel Alfredsson (6th round, 133rd overall, 1994, Ottawa Senators)
  • Henrik Lundqvist (7th round, 205th overall, 2000, New York Rangers)
  • Pekka Rinne (8th round, 258th overall, 2004, Nashville Predators)
  • Joe Pavelski (7th round, 205th overall, 2003, San Jose Sharks)
  • Luc Robitaille (9th round, 171st overall, 1984, Los Angeles Kings)
  • Jamie Benn (5th round, 129th overall, 2007, Dallas Stars)
  • Pavol Demitra (9th round, 227th overall, 1993, Ottawa Senators)
  • Pavel Bure (6th round, 113th overall, 1989, Vancouver Canucks)
  • Dominik Hašek (10th round, 199th overall, 1983, Chicago Blackhawks)
  • Peter Bondra (8th round, 156th overall, 1990, Washington Capitals)
  • Theo Fleury (8th round, 166th overall, 1987, Calgary Flames)

These examples highlight the importance of scouting and development beyond the early rounds.

What Happens on NHL Draft Day?

Draft day is an exciting event that follows a structured process:

  • Teams make selections in order, with a time limit for each pick.

  • Player interviews and scouting reports influence team decisions.

  • Trade activity often intensifies, as teams look to improve their draft position or acquire roster players.

  • Drafted players do not immediately join the NHL. Many continue their development in junior, college, or European leagues before transitioning to the professional level.

What Happens After the NHL Draft?

For players selected in the draft, the journey is just beginning. The following steps outline what happens next:

1. Signing an Entry-Level Contract

  • Drafted players typically sign a three-year entry-level contract (ELC).

  • The contract includes a structured salary and bonus system to ensure fair compensation for young players.

2. Attending Development Camps

  • NHL teams host development camps shortly after the draft to assess and train new prospects.

  • These camps focus on skill development, conditioning, and acclimating players to a professional environment.

3. Returning to Junior, College, or European Leagues

  • Many drafted players continue playing in their original leagues until they are ready to transition to the NHL or AHL.

4. Progressing to the AHL or NHL

  • Some first-round picks may immediately join the NHL, but most prospects develop in the AHL (American Hockey League) before making their NHL debut.

Why the NHL Draft Is Important

The NHL Draft is more than just a selection process—it is a fundamental aspect of building a competitive team. By understanding how the NHL Draft works, including its rules, eligibility requirements, and strategic aspects, fans and players can gain deeper insights into the league’s future stars and team-building strategies.

The draft also plays a crucial role in maintaining competitive balance across the league, giving struggling teams access to top-tier talent while rewarding successful franchises with the challenge of finding hidden gems later in the draft.

Conclusion

The NHL Draft is one of the most important events in hockey, shaping the future of teams and players alike. Whether you’re a prospect aspiring to be drafted, a dedicated fan tracking your team’s selections, or a newcomer looking to understand the process, knowing the rules, structure, and significance of the draft enhances the experience of following the NHL.