About the 2018 NHL Draft Lottery

The 2018 NHL Draft Lottery will consist of three drawings: the 1st Lottery Draw will determine the club selecting first overall, the 2nd Lottery Draw will determine the club selecting second overall and the 3rd Lottery Draw will determine the club selecting third overall.

The 15 clubs that did not qualify for the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs – or the clubs that have acquired the first-round picks of those non-playoff clubs – will participate in the 2018 NHL Draft Lottery.

The allocation of odds for the 1st Lottery Draw of the 2018 NHL Draft Lottery is as follows:

Non-Playoff Team (Fewest Points to Most): Odds

Buffalo Sabres: 18.5%

Ottawa Senators*: 13.5%

Arizona Coyotes: 11.5%

Montreal Canadiens: 9.5%

Detroit Red Wings: 8.5%

Vancouver Canucks: 7.5%

Chicago Blackhawks: 6.5%

New York Rangers: 6.0%

Edmonton Oilers: 5.0%

New York Islanders: 3.5%

Carolina Hurricanes: 3.0%

New York Islanders (from CGY): 2.5%

Dallas Stars: 2.0%

St. Louis Blues^: 1.5%

Florida Panthers: 1.0%

* Under the terms of a Nov. 5, 2017, trade: The Senators have the option to retain their pick and instead send the Avalanche their first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

^ Under the terms of a June 23, 2017, trade: If St. Louis’ pick is in the top 10, the Blues have the option to retain their pick and instead send the Flyers their first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Otherwise, Philadelphia will receive St. Louis’ first-round pick in 2018.

The odds for the remaining clubs will increase on a proportionate basis for the 2nd Lottery Draw, based on which club wins the 1st Lottery Draw, and again for the 3rd Lottery Draw, based on which club wins the 2nd Lottery Draw.

The 12 clubs not selected in the 2018 NHL Draft Lottery will be assigned 2018 NHL Draft selections 4 through 15, in inverse order of regular-season points.

The 2018 NHL Draft will take place at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The first round will be held Friday, June 22. Rounds 2-7 will take place Saturday, June 23.