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The NHL Draft, which began as the NHL Amateur Draft in 1963, has undergone significant transformations throughout its history. Initially intended for teams to select amateur players over the age of 17 who weren't yet affiliated with any NHL club, the draft has been a fundamental component in constructing competitive teams and introducing new talent into the league.
Over the years, the draft format has changed multiple times. It started in Montreal and was initially called the NHL Amateur Draft until it was renamed the NHL Entry Draft.
How many rounds is the NHL Draft?
From fluctuating rounds in the early years-ranging from as few as four rounds to as many as 25-the draft eventually standardized to seven rounds in 2005 due to changes in league structure and strategy.
The process for determining draft order has also evolved. Originally based on the reverse order of the previous season's standings, this method aimed to level the playing field by giving weaker teams the opportunity to pick first.
However, to discourage teams from losing games on purpose to secure a higher draft pick-a strategy known as "tanking", the NHL introduced a Draft Lottery in 1995. This lottery has been adjusted several times, most notably in 2013 and 2016, and underwent further changes in 2021 and 2022 to refine the system and prevent exploitation.
The draft now includes teams selecting players over two days, with a total of 224 players drafted in 2023. Each team typically gets one pick per round, although these picks can be traded, adding a strategic element to the draft process.
Who is eligible for the NHL Draft?
Eligibility rules for players have also been defined more clearly over time. Players eligible for the draft must be 18 by September 15 of the draft year and younger than 20 by December 31, with non-North American players up to age 21 also eligible.
- You can watch the NHL Draft 2024 on ESPN and ESPN+ via the ESPN streaming hub.
- First-round coverage begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Coverage of Rounds 2-7 begins Saturday at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN+.