The NHL Draft is an annual event that attracts the attention of field hockey fans around the world, and is an opportunity for teams to bolster their rosters with young talent.
During the event, the teams of the National Hockey League have the chance to shape their future by selecting the most promising players in amateur field hockey.
Throughout history, legendary picks have become icons of the sport. The event has also been responsible for unexpected surprises that have changed the course of franchises. Here’s everything you need to know.
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What is the NHL Draft?
In the NHL Draft, National Hockey League teams select amateur players to join their teams. The draft consists of several rounds, and the order of the picks in the draft is determined mainly by the teams’ performance in the previous season. The weakest teams receive the first picks.
When will the NHL Draft be in 2024?
According to an announcement made last year by the NHL itself, the Draft 2024 will be held on June 28 and 29 at Sphere in Las Vegas;
How the NHL draft works
The NHL Draft follows a standardized format that takes place over several rounds. The order of selection is determined on the basis of the teams’ performance in the previous season.
The teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs get the first picks, with the team with the worst performance getting the first pick. Teams that advance further in the playoffs usually have lower picks.
The Draft takes place over seven rounds, and each team has a selection in each round, with the exception of teams that have made trades to acquire additional selections or traded selections.
What are the rules of the NHL Draft?
The NHL Draft follows a relatively standardized format that takes place over several rounds. Here’s a summary of how it works:
- Each team has a designated time to make a selection. The time varies depending on the round. If a team doesn’t make a selection within the allotted time, the next team has the opportunity to make their selection.
- During the Draft, teams have the opportunity to make trades and swap selections.
- Players are eligible for the Draft if they meet the age criteria set by the NHL: at least 18 years old by September 15 of the Draft year and must not have reached the age of 20 by September 15 of the previous year.
- International players not affiliated with an NHL team can sign up for the Draft, NHL teams can select players from foreign leagues.
- If a team is unable to reach a contractual agreement with a selected player within two years, the team can lose its rights to the player and receive a compensatory selection in the subsequent Draft.
- Teams can invite additional players to take part in the Draft, i.e. eligible players not listed on the central list of players. They are usually chosen in the final rounds.
What will be the order of the NHL Draft in 2024?
- The order of the first round of the NHL Draft is as follows:
- San Jose
- Chicago
- Anaheim
- Columbus
- Montreal
- Arizona
- Ottawa
- Calgary
- Seattle
- New Jersey
- Buffalo
- Minnesota
- Philadelphia
- San Jose
- Detroit
- St. Louis
- Washington
- NY Islanders
- Vegas
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Nashville
- Toronto
- Anaheim
- Colorado
- Montreal
- Philadelphia
- Carolina
- Calgary
- Ottawa
- Dallas
- NY Rangers
Biggest bets of the 2024 NHL Draft
On the official NHL website, we can see the main bets for the 2024 Draft. The biggest bets are:
- Macklin Celebrini (Boston University)
- Artyom Levshunov (Michigan State)
- Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat)
- Zeev Buium (Denver)
- Trevor Connelly (Tri-City)
- Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary)
- Sam Dickinson (London)
- Cole Eiserman (USDP)
- Berkly Catton (Spokane)
- Zayne Parekh (Sagninaw)
Best NHL Draft picks in history
The NHL Draft has produced many talented players over the years. Check out some of the best picks in history:
1 – Wayne Gretzky
Selected in 1979 by the Edmonton Oilers as the 3rd overall pick, Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest ice hockey player of all time.
2 – Mario Lemieux
Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 1st overall pick in 1984, Lemieux had a stellar career and is a field hockey legend.
3 – Sidney Crosby
Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 1st overall pick in 2005, Crosby became a star from the start of his career and won numerous awards and titles, including several Stanley Cups.
4 – Bobby Orr
Selected by the Boston Bruins as the 1st overall pick in 1966, Orr revolutionized the position of defenseman in field hockey and is widely considered one of the best defensemen in history.
5 – Connor McDavid
Selected by the Edmonton Oilers as the 1st overall pick in 2015, McDavid is one of the brightest stars in the game today and has the potential to leave a great legacy.
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