How many rounds is the NHL Draft?

The 61st installment of the NHL Draft begins on June 28, 2023,  at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Here’s what comes after the first round.

The NHL entry draft consists of seven rounds, and all 32 teams have the opportunity to select a player in each round. Teams are also allowed to trade their picks. More than 200 skilled athletes will be chosen during the draft.

The NHL draft offers struggling teams a chance to pick up young prospects aged 18 to 21. This year, those drafted in 2021 and born after June 30, 2003, but went unsigned are also eligible for selection. The NHL entry draft consists of seven rounds, and all 32 teams have the opportunity to select a player in each round. Teams are also allowed to trade their picks. More than 200 skilled athletes will be chosen during the draft.

Day two of the draft continues the excitement with rounds two through seven. Teams make their picks in reverse order of their record from the previous NHL season unless the lottery shook up the order. The draft lottery held on May 8, 2023, resulted in the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks winning the top two picks overall. Chicago moved up two spots to claim the first pick, while the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets each dropped down one place.

The NHL Entry Draft is a significant event for teams looking to improve their lineups and bring new talent to their rosters. This year is no different with franchise-changing talents such as Connor Bedard, Adam  Fantili and Leo Carlsson.

How is the order for the NHL Draft determined?

The team’s performance in the previous season determines the NHL draft order. The first 16 picks are reserved for the teams that did not qualify for the playoffs.

Picks 17-28 are given to the teams that made the playoffs but did not win their division or play in the Conference Finals, with the possibility of the division winners being included in this range. Teams that lost in the Conference Finals receive picks 29 and 30. The runner-up of the Stanley Cup Finals gets pick 31, while the team that won the championship in the previous season gets pick 32.

As the draft progresses, teams have the opportunity to identify and secure promising young players who can make a significant impact on their future success. The draft showcases the league’s future stars and brings hope and anticipation to fans and teams. Fans eagerly watch their favorite teams strategically select prospects they believe will contribute to the franchise’s success. The draft is crucial in building a team’s foundation, generating excitement for the upcoming NHL season, and setting the stage for the future.