The draft lottery decides who picks at the top of the NHL Entry Draft. Here's how it works — and every No. 1 overall pick it has produced.
A weighted drawing among the teams that missed the playoffs that decides the top of the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. Instead of the worst team automatically picking first, every non-playoff team gets a chance — with better odds the lower a team finished.
Separate drawings are held for the first two picks. The remaining non-playoff teams then pick in inverse order of the regular-season standings. Under the current format a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots, so only the bottom finishers can land the No. 1 overall pick.
Typically in early May, after the regular season ends and before the NHL Entry Draft in late June.
The lottery winner. The full history of No. 1 overall picks and the teams that made them is listed on this page.
Full round-by-round results live on each draft-year page — browse every NHL draft →
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Islanders
San Jose Sharks
Chicago Blackhawks
Montréal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers
New Jersey Devils
Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers
Colorado Avalanche
Tampa Bay Lightning
St. Louis Blues
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets
Boston Bruins
Ottawa Senators
Detroit Red Wings
Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings